Yves Saint Laurent have introduced a new collection of fragrances inspired by the Orient. The Oriental Collection is inaugurated with three initial perfumes Supreme Bouquet, Majestic Rose and Noble Leather..."Yves Saint Laurent has drawn its inspiration from the splendours of the East to give birth to an exceptional collection. In honour of its creator and his never-ending passion for the elsewhere, the oriental collection celebrates the mysteries and refinement of a land of infinite richness."
YSL Supreme Bouquet is an Oriental bouquet of flowers featuring radiant white blooms, "a blend of whimsical tuberose, exotic ylang and enigmatic jasmine. Their blossoms drenched in luscious fruit and animal scents, fully spread their opulence. As a counterpoint, the vibrancy of the ambery wood accord, musks and patchouli is an invitation to serenity."
Majestic Rose is an Oriental rose, "The dense blossom of May rose releases its majestic seduction through delicious honey-scented notes. The texture of its petals is warmed by spicy and vibrant saffron accord. The flower is drenched in notes of raspberry and is then lost in the darker folds of a balsamic oud wood accord, blended with a boldly smoked essence of guaiac wood."
Noble Leather is described as an Oriental leather. "The potent and deep scent of leather fervently states its case and whispers an elegant, raw and carnal sensuality. The ambery wood accord embraces languid vanilla and the earthy scents of patchouli before giving way to intermingling tanned leathers. Enhanced by a dash of bright saffron notes and softened by the candied sweetness of the dried fruit accord, this skin-deep fragrance leaves an unforgettable impression."
The flacons borrow their design from the "checkerboard" bottles which housed the relaunched classics of the house in 2011. They come now with an Orientalized pattern on the glass of the label's monogram.
When Yves Saint Laurent launched Opium in 1978 it was both a great PR coup and a mini cultural revolution regarding how far perfume could suggest transgression within the mainstream. The signature of the fragrance today has been tampered with yet retains its mythical aura in the memories of its long-time faithful wearers.
This new collection is a way of engaging us anew, reminding us of the Orientalist legacy of the house, perhaps with this added gusto that has come to be seen as lacking from the recent remodelling of Opium in Belle d'Opium, a more discreet statement than its direct ancestor.
As currently a Chanel No.5 exhibit is taking place in Paris, we are also reminded that few perfumes can pretend to be showcased solo for an exhibition. Opium is one of them as the Opium Exhibition demonstrated in 2008 (Note: Seb Janiak contacted us back then with his own pictures of the exhibition, that we have yet to put up, as this post reminded us of that episode).
