We had the absolute privilege of taking part in an art class held by Ndebele artist and all round super woman, Esther Mahlangu to celebrate her partnership with Belvedere Vodka and John Legend to design this limited edition bottle, complete with her striking geometric designs.
Each symbol carries a meaning – security, support, change and unity – signifying the collective sentiment for all those joining the fight against HIV/AIDS. As the campaign ambassador, John Legend’s signature is featured on the front of the bottle.
Esther Mahlangu joins (BELVEDERE)RED as a passionate supporter of the AIDS fight. After losing her husband, three children and many friends and neighbours to HIV, Esther turned to art as a means of channelling her grief and working to effect positive change. Now a famed South African artist on a global scale Esther was the first Ndebele artist to transfer her craft from the exterior of homes, as is tradition in their culture, to the canvas and eventually consumer products. She has been acknowledged with critically-acclaimed success for nearly thirty years, carrying on the traditional painting style of the Ndebele, involving great precision using soil-based paint, chicken feathers and bundles of twigs as brushes. Trust us, it’s a LOT harder than it looks.
“Art is my life…painting is in my heart and in my blood. You can be Sotho, Zulu, English, or French, blood is one colour. (RED). We can overcome anything when we take it hand-by-hand. Together we can end this.” – Esther Mahlangu
For every bottle you give (or keep), Belvedere donates 50% of the profits to the Global Fund, the leading financier supporting HIV/AIDs in Africa
Not only that but in celebration of #MAKETHEDIFFERENCE, Belvedere have introduced two (RED) cocktails, the (BELVEDERE)RED Spritz and the (BELVEDERE)RED Martini (available at restaurants such as M Victoria) until World Aids Day on the 1st December. £5 from each of these cocktails will also be donated to RED.
Or try making your own at home….
(BELVEDERE)RED Spritz
1.5 oz / 45ml Belvedere Vodka
1 oz /30ml Bitter aperitif
2 orange wedges
A sprig of rosemary
*
Spritz glass, filled with ice, topped with
equal parts of sparkling water and tonic
water.
(BELVEDERE)RED Martini
2 oz / 60 ml Belvedere Vodka
1/3 oz / 10ml sweet vermouth
1/6 oz / 5 ml maraschino liqueur
2 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters
*
Stir with ice until very cold, and garnish with an orange zest.
http://www.belvederevodka.com/en-int/red-limited-edition-bottle