As the 23rd parallel north unites the sundrenched shores of Cuba and Oman, Opus XIV – Royal Tobacco weaves as one their iconic treasures, Royal Frankincense and Tobacco Absolute, hence bearing the name of Royal Tobacco.
Both fumigated since the earliest days of recorded history, their vertical signature imprints the entire evolution of the perfume, each enriched with supporting notes that reveal and sublime their complex personality.
Aromatic flashes of Cardamom and Elemi light up a voluptuous heart shining with many facets of flowers and balsams casting their reflections upon the Frankincense and Tobacco duo. Emboldened by Benzoin, Labdanum and Myrrh, ambery notes of Vanilla Absolute and Tonka Bean echo the coumarinic depth of Fenugreek while graceful volutes of Prunol, Bulgarian Rose and Osmanthus Absolute evoke the fruitiness and floralcy of high-end cigars. Supported by Anise and Basil, the typically treacly burnt molasses notes of Liquorice act as a link with the choral finale of smoky Birch Tar, Vetiver and Guaiacwood amped up by the glaring animality of Oud.
Opus XIV – Royal Tobacco is a daring, lavish, deep and modern creation fit for men and women alike.
The mojito accord (sweet lime, peppermint, rum) is made explosive thanks to an extra splash of rum. The floral accord recalls freshness and refinement. The green woody accord is reorchestrated for a more powerful trail and sensuality. Patchouli, cedar and vetiver are enhanced.
MAKE NATURE YOUR PLAYGROUND
Guerlain Homme is an authentic call to adventure. Keen on discovery, man flourishes in a nature that he makes his own.
Guerlain Homme Eau de Parfum revels in contrast: freshness and strength united in a mysterious and intense fragrance. This eau de parfum surprises with its vibrant freshness lent by the mojito accord, the fresh floral accord and the green woody accord, which come together in an intense composition. This strength ensures its powerful and refined trail. Guerlain Homme boasts a bolder, woodier personality.
With L’Instant de Guerlain pour Homme, the Guerlain Perfumer takes a first step towards freshness in 2004, showcasing a hot and cold olfactory contrast. The fresh top notes are inspired by an oriental aniseed drink called arak. The base notes feature the gourmand notes of the dessert by a famous pastry-maker, worked around chocolate and patchouli.
LIVE THE MOMENT
L’Instant de Guerlain pour Homme highlights a unique moment: the one in which a man takes the initiative and after which everything will be different.
This woody, sparkling, seductive fragrance was composed of contrasts. It is nothing less than surprising.
Fiery red metal, cool to the touch. Luminous berries atop darkened leaves. COPPER is an olfactive interrogation of perceived differences and their harmonious alignment.
A blend of distinct olfactive components: vivid pinks positioned against deep greens. Bright contrasts reveal new clarity. Ingredients found across the globe find unity in a single scent.
Fresh galbanum harvested atop the Iranian mountains; luminous peppercorns picked in Peru; rhizomes of spicy Madagascan ginger distilled into oil.
Like rust corroding a golden sheen, with time COPPER evolves on the skin.
Encased within a copper vessel, organically formed and industrially made, COPPER transforms contradictions into compatibility. The subversive spirit of Comme des Garçons explored through scent.
ZERO is a radical expression of simplicity. A reset. The origin of a new perspective: the antithesis of excess.
An exploration of freedom found within purposeful parameters. Carbon neutrality embraced as a formative concept; the foundational motif of a fragrance. Every element shaped by reduction. The clarity of restraint
Fewer ingredients: a shorter formula, meticulously assembled. At once in line with the Comme des Garçons fragrance philosophy and the preservation of resources.
Rich, natural cedarwood – hand-harvested and extracted using hydroelectric power – enlivened by a fresh breeze of Bergamot. The raw seduction of musk and equitably-sourced Haitian vetiver patchworked against illusory beauty: an overdose of synthetic rose, a varnish accord.
A subversive harmony of dichotomies. An untraceable wood.
In accompaniment to its emblematic fragrance, Parfums de Marly has created a Delina body oil. This light, non-greasy formula sublimates the skin, adorning it with notes of rose, peony, lychee and grapefruit on a subtle base of vanilla and musk. Depending on skin tone and season, it stirs the original notes and further modulates their seductive power. A sensual, multi-faceted delight.
Inspired by 18th century perfumery and the Pavillon des Bains, a pavilion for wellbeing at the heart of the Château de Marly, Delina body oil is a sensual complement to modern beauty rituals. For application on the skin before perfuming with the Eau de Parfum or on its own, especially in summer, for a subtle scent.
Echoing life’s most vivid and celebrated experiences shaped by moments of tribulation and strength, Silver Oud is an olfactive depiction of Stendhal’s 19th-century French novel, The Red and the Black, and its intelligent and ambitious protagonist, Julien Sorel. Paying tribute to the House’s signature storytelling tradition, Cécile Zarokian brings Silver Oud to life in a woody ambery Eau de Parfum that showcases the most precious Oud in all its glory.
Inspired by the themes expressed in The Red and the Black, particularly the notions of Confusion, Passion and Destruction, Silver Oud is a manifestation of the tension between idealism and realism, the contradiction between thinking and feeling, and the power of mimetic desire.
Opening with Patchouli Molecular Distillation, Cypriol Oil, and Virginia Cedar Oil, confusion lies in the lack of an expected top note. Instead, a wide variety of woods come to the fore, announcing a deep evolution. At the heart of the creation, an exquisitely rich quality Oud Assam Oil dances in unison with a deep Vanilla (Madagascar) Absolute as a beautiful duo of contrasts. Meanwhile, Ambrarome, Birch Oil, Guaiac Wood Oil, and Castoreum leave dark sillage imprints on the skin, the smoky woods blending together in an endless finale
Inspired by the uncertainty, drama and memories evoked by the unsolved ‘ROSEBUD’ mystery. Rose Incense is distinctively floral and unmistakably woody with unique and contemporary elements.
The art of living is fragmented by the way knowledge and information travel on the internet. Opus V is a floral and woody fragrance inspired by the classical and modern methods of disseminating knowledge.
Overture Woman is an homage to the modern woman – bold, cultured, and full of mystique, telling the story of that once in a lifetime moment when nothing else matters.
Created by Master Perfumer Annick Menardo, the heady fragrance is a symphony of some of the world’s rarest and most sought-after ingredients, evoking the intense emotion of a captivating opera performance.
Fresh jungle on the side of a volcano,
ENCELADE is a powerful and captivating fragrance.
Ambivalence of a perfume of shadow and light which playfully plays with its paradoxes.
The primordial rhubarb, cedar and vetiver accord expresses the scent of earth, of sap, the image of lush nature. Green and woody notes mingled with the crash of smoked and animal leather.
Milky sandalwood and tonka bean add sensuality and addiction to the skin.
The pure seduction of a fragrance with wild magnetism.
The perfumes of Maison MARC-ANTOINE BARROIS are the result of the meeting of two young creators. One is a designer, the other is a perfumer and it was childhood memories that brought them together. Those bewitching perfumes of character; the leather of an elegant briefcase or an impeccable desk pad; and the woody and vegetal scents in reference to memories of warm homes as well as family walks in the forest. The artistic direction of the first and the olfactory talent of the second made the magic of these beautiful fragrances.
Enriched with the finest grade argan oil and the moisturising benefits of shea butter, Thameen’s body lotion is an elegant combination of nourishing ingredients wrapped in a delicate embrace of pure, luxury fragrance. Rivière shimmers at the top with Indian black pepper and Persian saffron, segueing into deep heart notes of rose, and warmed by a base of amber and leather. Soft skin, divinely scented, and an all-over healthy glow.
THE STORY: A ‘Rivière’ is a classic necklace comprised of gemstones that are of identical size or seamlessly graduated. One of the most famous Rivière belonged to Queen Mary and consisted of 34 old cut diamonds. She subsequently gifted the necklace to her granddaughter, Princess Margaret, and it was sold at Christies for almost £1 million in 2006. The new fragrance is dedicated to balance and a flawless progression of rare and sparkling ingredients combined to adorn the skin.
THE FRAGRANCE: Shimmering at the top, spiced notes of Indian black pepper and Persian saffron meld mellifluously into cinnamon from Ceylon and a luminous lemon blossom accord. This dazzling opening segues into a deep, faceted heart of Russian clary sage over Turkish rose and carnation, polished with a warm, burnished patchouli from Indonesia. The iridescent base of golden amber and oud, infused with soft, opulent Indian cypriol and a sun drenched leather enrich this jewel with a dark resinous glow. Riviere conveys a sophisticated brilliance – its elegant simplicity disguising a meticulous construct. An olfactory masterclass for perfume perfectionists
This is dark, carnal and animalic: a patchouli with a musky sexuality, power, opulence. It captures the raw passion of Pluto, the darkness of the underworld; as well as the opulence of the hidden treasures of his kingdom, such as precious gems, minerals and glittering metals held deep within the earth’s core.
INSPIRATION
Pluto’s plight was to rule the UNDERWORLD: the final destination for the dead but also DEEP EARTH the place of riches and opulence abundant with precious jewels, oil, minerals and resources and the earth necessary for a bountiful harvest. Brother to the King of the Gods Jupiter, PLUTO was a powerful and magnetic personality.
This perfume was created with Persephone’s Patchouli as a pair. Two perfumers explores the central note of Patchouli through two lenses of the same story: that of Pluto and his Queen Persephone.
PERFUMER’S NOTES
“The idea was to build a black patchouli, with a furry texture as black as the panther.
It starts with pink and black pepper blended with citruses (bergamot and mandarin) to create a fresh dark top note enhancing the camphor notes of patchouli. I played with a suede leather accord of mate absolute, birch and a smoky twist with cade and rich smoked precious woods to create a synergy between resins and woods and strengthen the character of musk.
I softened that with a blend of cistus, labdanum extracts and other amber materials to give the furry and smooth signature. Bits of carnation (spicy rose character) and other floral elements are enriching the fragrance to give it depth and structure.” Kévin Mathys
