- Written By: ALICIA KUNKEL
Beauty and art collided in a unique way on New York’s Roosevelt Island recently. The Australian born, New York artist CJ Hendry, collaborated with luxury beauty brand Clé de Peau Beauté, to celebrate their latest launch, The Serum.
Inspired by The Serum‘s one-of-a-kind ingredient, the Radiant Lily, a beautiful idea began to blossom in the creative mind of CJ Hendry. Why not create an entire market filled with plush flowers that represent the natural essence found in Clé de Peau Beauté’s collection?
That is how the FLOWER MARKET came to be filled with vibrant, plush stems of radiant lilies; while roses and other flowers on display are a bouquet inspired by the Roosevelt family; the yellow Eleanor Roosevelt Rose, Tulips for the Roosevelt family’s Dutch heritage, red Roses symbolizing the “Roosevelt” name (field of roses), and Peonies, the signature flower of the Roosevelt farm.
Known for her immersive and joyful exhibitions, CJ Hendry created a large 120-foot by 40-foot greenhouse to house the 100,000 flowers she and her team created for the FLOWER MARKET on Roosevelt Island in partnership with Four Freedoms Park Conservancy. The opening night toast was a huge success with New York’s who’s who in attendance. Notably Martha Stewart, an avid flower collector herself, came to celebrate the FLOWER MARKET exhibition and launch. Alongside the flowers are CJ’s 12 original drawings created for this exhibition and only available for sale to previous clients.
Talk to us about your partnership with Clé de Peau Beauté —how did that come about?
When Clé de Peau Beauté initially reached out, we thought it might be for a small social media activation, which we were thrilled about as everyone on the team knew of the brand. Then, when we found out Clé de Peau Beauté was interested in a larger partnership, we were ecstatic! It felt unheard of that a brand on the level of Clé de Peau Beauté would take on a concept like this, so we were incredibly grateful.
“I am thrilled to share this collaboration between Clé de Peau Beauté and CJ Hendry. This partnership embodies the essence of our brand, known for its intelligence, uncompromising standards, and exquisite quality. CJ Hendry’s remarkable ability to engage audiences through her masterful craftsmanship and thought-provoking social commentary on luxury perfectly resonates with our values.”
-Alessio Rossi, Executive Vice
President Clé de Peau Beauté US Marketing
Can you share the inspiration behind The Flower Market?
When working with an extraordinary brand like Clé de Peau Beauté, the key elements of their beautiful products were a natural starting point for me. So, we kept coming back to building a concept around flowers. We strive to build these fantastical, artificial environments to subvert viewer expectations. Obviously, the flowers we have created are plush; they’re not real, but by creating them on a grand scale, we can evoke a feeling beyond the singular. I enjoy bringing a childlike lens to my exhibitions, which is where the element of plush came from. You just see them and instinctually want to touch and hold them.
Tell us about your favorite Clé de Peau Beauté product and why it is a staple of yours?
I’m obsessed with The Serum. I, and most of the team are more skin-care-focused than makeup, so the serum is an absolute must for us. Applying it before anything else feels like it increases the efficacy of everything else and leaves you feeling uber-hydrated, which is my number one goal.
Can you name your top five Clé de Peau Beauté must-haves?
The Serum, La Crème, Clarifying Cleansing Foam, Lip Glorifier, and the UV Protective Cream SPF 50+, as I mentioned I’m all about the skin.
How did you first learn about Clé de Peau Beauté?
I was in my late teens when I started getting into skincare and first came to know of Clé de Peau Beauté. I’ll be honest: at the time, I was certainly not in a position to afford Clé de Peau Beauté, but I was very aware of the brand. And so, hence, to get an email 20 years later, it’s kind of bananas and crazy.
Why Roosevelt Island?
Roosevelt Island is iconic in so many ways. Franklin D Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, in my opinion, is an architectural marvel. The fact that it’s between Brooklyn and Manhattan on its own island within New York, I just love it. Also, FDR Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island doesn’t do too many collaborations. They don’t allow too many people onto the island to do exhibitions like this, so it’s an incredible privilege we’ve been granted. I’m so grateful they’re on board with me as an artist and Clé de Peau Beauté as a brand.
“We were immediately excited to work with such an exceptional contemporary artist as Cj Hendry and help share her magical work with tens of thousands of visitors. She captures the vision of Louis Kahn and his design ‘to be a place of inspired use’ as she encourages visitors to see the park through her eyes!”
-Howard Axel, CEO of Four Freedoms Park Conservancy
What does radiance mean to you?
Radiance means… all-encompassing pizzazz: glow, plump, dewiness. Radiance is also internal. It’s like you’ve got the sparkle. Being someone sparkly, inside and out.
Can you share the best beauty advice you’ve ever received?
The best beauty advice I’ve ever received is to stay out of the sun and drink lots of water. Once you’ve done that, you put on your Clé de Peau Beauté and take it from 80% to 100%.
What’s in your bag?
Hand cream, moisturizer, and my Macbook… always.
What motivates you?
I am continually motivated to create these beautiful exhibitions and environments. I have a lot of fun, and the team has a lot of fun, and we are very good at it. Getting the opportunity to create more of these exhibitions in the future is what keeps me going.
Your past partners have included brands like Lululemon and Christian Louboutin, is this the first time
you’ve worked with a beauty brand?
Yes, this is the first time I’ve worked with a beauty brand, and to be working with Clé de Peau Beauté, who are the crème de la crème, is just a dream come true. I’m very selective of who I work with, as is Clé de Peau Beauté, so to even create this exhibition with them is just a bucket list item.
TO EXPLORE MORE VISIT: CJ HENDRY & Clé de Peau Beauté
- Photo Credits: CJ HENDRY; Clé de Peau Beauté
- Collab Writing Credit: