Calíope Wine
Calíope — Conceptual Wine Label
Between myth and art: the muse that inspires both flavor and form
Calíope is a fictional wine brand created as an exercise in branding and narrative design, inspired by the fusion between Greek mythology and the art nouveau aesthetic of Alphonse Mucha.
The female figure, the central element of the composition, reflects the spirit of the mythological nymphs that inhabit Mucha’s work — women elevated to the status of deities, symbols of beauty, strength, and inspiration. This representation embodies the same ideal that gives the brand its name: Calíope, the most noble of the nine Muses, daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne, goddess of Memory.
Her name means “the one with the beautiful voice,” and her mission was to inspire poets and storytellers to create epics — grand tales of human and divine deeds.
On the label, this narrative takes visual form: a contemporary muse, surrounded by organic elements and flowing lines, evokes the eloquence and harmony that define both Mucha’s art and the ritual of wine.
Calíope is, therefore, more than a fictional brand — it is a tribute to inspiration in all its forms: the song, the gesture, the aroma, and the moment.
Moodboard — Calíope
Where myth meets design
The Calíope moodboard marks the visual starting point that unites the poetry of Greek mythology with the ornamental sophistication of Art Nouveau. The works of Alphonse Mucha served as both aesthetic and emotional guidance, inspiring the creation of a feminine figure that embodies strength, beauty, and inspiration — the very essence of the muse that gives the label its name.
References from contemporary wine labels helped define the balance between tradition and modernity, particularly through the use of the bottle itself as a color element — allowing the glass, rather than a printed background, to become an active part of the composition, adding depth and elegance to the design.
This fusion of influences creates a dialogue between past and present — a label that captures the delicacy of Mucha’s lines and the symbolic power of the muse Calíope, balancing art, myth, and modernity within a cohesive and evocative visual narrative.
Labels — Calíope
The balance between essence, contrast, and presence
The Calíope label collection was conceived as a pursuit of balance between artistic expression and visual clarity. The inspiration drawn from the feminine figures of Alphonse Mucha remains evident in the posture and flowing lines, yet here the ornamentation gives way to synthesis — to the strength of pure form.
Both women are depicted holding clusters of grapes, a direct and poetic reference to wine — a gesture that connects myth to matter, femininity to creation. This symbolic detail anchors the visual narrative, turning each figure into a modern muse who embodies fertility, elegance, and abundance.
The decision to keep the design in black and white was a deliberate conceptual choice: allowing the natural colors of the wine and the glass bottle to become the true protagonists. Each variety thus gains its own visual identity — the golden hue of the Riesling and the deep ruby of the Pinot Noir complete the composition, making the contents themselves an active part of the design.
The textures and ornamental patterns inspired by Mucha’s decorative style were applied to the neck seals, adding depth and craftsmanship to the overall composition. Meanwhile, the arabesque influence is reflected in the main type design, whose flowing curves and rhythmic structure echo the organic elegance of Art Nouveau.
This integration preserves sophistication without compromising legibility, revealing beauty both in restraint and in the details discovered by a careful eye.
More than labels, the Calíope series represents an exercise in controlled contrast — between shadow and light, art and function, myth and modernity.
Neck Seal Patterns
Mockups
