Strange Heavens Out Of The Blue: Inside Domingo Zapata’s Artful Collaboration with Clive Christian
Clive Christian has unveiled Strange Heavens Out Of The Blue, a bold new fragrance created in collaboration with acclaimed contemporary artist Domingo Zapata. Known for his unapologetically expressive visual language and global artistic influence, Zapata brings his unmistakable energy into the world of haute parfumerie. The result is a scent that mirrors his artistic philosophy – confident yet refined, sensual without excess, and designed to leave a lasting emotional impression. Crafted with the same attention to detail as Clive Christian’s most iconic creations, the fragrance is a meeting point between fine art and fine fragrance, where creativity, individuality, and luxury coexist.
The launch of Strange Heavens Out Of The Blue was celebrated at an exclusive event in Dubai at Bloomingdale’s Dubai Mall, bringing together art, fragrance, and high society in an intimate setting. Guests were invited to experience the scent firsthand while discovering the story behind its creation, with Zapata personally sharing insights into his creative journey. The evening reflected the spirit of the fragrance itself – elegant, expressive, and effortlessly magnetic – marking a memorable moment for both the brand and the artist as Clive Christian continues to push the boundaries of artistic collaboration in the world of luxury perfumery.
For The Beau Monde Magazine, we spoke with Domingo Zapata in an exclusive interview to uncover the story behind his collaboration with Clive Christian and the creation of Strange Heavens Out Of The Blue.
(The Beau Monde Magazine): You are widely regarded as one of the most influential contemporary artists today. How did the collaboration with Clive Christian come about, and what initially drew you to this partnership?
(Domingo Zapata): The collaboration came about through a friend of mine who approached me some time ago and shared an idea proposed by the Clive Christian team. It immediately resonated with me because I had already been a long time admirer of the brand and its fragrances.
What truly drew me into the partnership was the freedom they gave me from the very beginning. They encouraged me to be myself and allowed the fragrance to embody who I am as an artist. I was involved in every aspect, from the scent itself to the bottle, the crown, the color palette, and the overall vision. That level of trust and creative inclusion made the collaboration feel authentic, organic, and deeply personal. That is how this beautiful partnership came to life.
‘Strange Heavens Out Of The Blue’ is a fragrance with a very distinctive character. What resonates most with you personally about this scent?
It is a sexy scent, beautiful, elegant, and effortlessly confident. It is not overpowering or heavy, yet it leaves a lasting impression. What I love most is how it carries presence. When you wear it and walk away, people still feel you, even after you are gone.
That lingering essence is powerful to me. It is subtle but memorable, and that is exactly what I believe true luxury should be.
Can you walk us through your creative process when developing the artwork for Clive Christian? How did the world of fine fragrance influence your artistic direction?
The world of fine fragrance naturally influenced the artistic direction because scent and emotion are deeply connected. When you smell good, you feel good, and this fragrance made that feeling immediate.
The creative process itself was incredibly fluid and enjoyable. The Clive Christian team created an open, honest, and playful environment that allowed ideas to flow naturally. They also embraced one of my oldest and most personal motifs, the panda, which carries a piece of me and my artistic history. That familiarity made the entire process feel effortless, organic, and joyful. Everything came together beautifully.
Finally, if you had to define your art in a single sentence, how would you describe it?
My art is my way of giving something beautiful back to the world, a trail of color, emotion, and expression that invites people to see life through a more vibrant and hopeful lens.
