Text image reading "APOLLONIA" in bold white letters on a black background.

Hand-Drawn Brand Illustrations

Set underground in a four-level heritage wool store in Sydney’s CBD, Apollonia is a cocktail bar that pays homage to the life, love, and tragedy of Apollonia Vitelli.

Developed during my time at Distil Agency, the brand’s bold and dramatic identity was brought to life through custom illustrations, which became central to its storytelling and atmosphere. These illustrations were also adapted into bespoke ice cube moulds for use in Apollonia’s signature Negronis – adding a tactile, memorable brand detail to the guest experience.

The branding was recognised industry-wide, earning finalist status at the 2021 AGDA Awards and a shortlist placement in the 2021 Transform ANZ Awards.

A red background with a black ornate frame. The frame contains a black and white photo of a woman with long hair, looking sideways. A small red rectangle is aligned with her eye, giving the appearance of an eye patch. The framing and colors create a dramatic, stylized visual.
Black and white doodle-style illustrations of a hat, a door or window latch, a boar, two rings, two birds with rings, a woman with curly hair and a hat, a lightning bolt, and a goblet.
A drink with a lemon wedge and a cinnamon stick, served with a large ice cube, viewed from above.
A person holding ice with a letter 'A' carved into it above a glass of reddish-brown liquid, with a wooden piece featuring the same letter 'A' beside the glass on a board game with a patterned surface.
A glass of dark red cocktail garnished with a half slice of toasted citrus and a chocolate square, placed on a white marble surface.
Close-up of a vintage brass chess piece with a keyhole design, on a multicolored marble surface, with blurred chess pieces in the background and warm ambient lighting.
A glass of iced coffee with a maple leaf-shaped cookie on top, placed on a marble surface.
A hand holding metal tongs is placing a wax cube into a glass of red liquid.

Photography credit: Apollonia Bar

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