French luxury house Celine has opened a temporary exhibition in Osaka, Japan for the World Expo 2025. Entitled “Celine Maki-E,” the exhibition, which runs until May 11th, highlights the brand’s deep connection with Japan over five decades.
Visitors to the exhibition will encounter the refined artistry of Maki-e, a revered Japanese technique in which artisans paint delicate designs on lacquerware using gold and silver powders. This ancient practice, steeped in the tradition of waka poetry, represents a pinnacle of Japanese artistic expression.
A standout is a collection of Triomphe-themed lacquer artworks by the Hikoju Makie collective. These pieces reflect a commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability, while weaving in Celine’s iconic motifs.
Exhibition highlights include three exclusive Triomphe bags in striking red, black and gold. These limited-edition pieces feature exquisite leather exteriors with soft lambskin linings and showcase plum blossom motifs, an auspicious symbol of continuity in Japanese culture. The design signifies longevity, a nod to Celine’s enduring presence in Japan since 1970. Each bag is individually numbered and embossed in gold, making it a collector’s item.
The exhibition also features two short films by artist Soshi Nakamura. The first, “Hands at Work,” documents the parallel processes of Japanese and French artisans filmed in Kanazawa, Japan and Radda in Chianti, Italy.
In a separate installation space, mirrors surround visitors facing a giant LED screen displaying the second, “Ten Landscapes of Dreams” – a visual journey featuring Celine’s iconic Triomphe symbol traveling through ethereal Japanese landscapes.
Celine‘s participation is part of LVMH‘s Gold Partnership with World Expo 2025, joining brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chaumet and Moët Hennessy under the French Pavilion’s “Hymne à l’amour” (A Hymn to Love) theme.
The World Expo 2025 runs from April 13th to October 13th, 2025 in Osaka, Japan.