Op zoek naar het ideale moederdag cadeau? Overtref alle verwachtingen met de gloednieuwe Chanel geur: PARIS-PARIS Les Eaux de Chanel. Ook heerlijk voor vader. Lees hier een interview met Chanel ‘neus’ Olivier Polge.

Why was Paris chosen as the 6th destination of LES EAUX DE CHANEL? LES EAUX DE CHANEL line was designed like a Cruise collection for fashion. The idea was to imagine olfactory correspondences between Paris and some of the cities that were the most emblematic for Gabrielle Chanel. In this collection, everything starts with Paris, and the six fragrances were all created there, to the point that Paris appears in the name of each interpretation in LES EAUX DE CHANEL collection. In the beginning, we did not know that this would lead us back to Paris with PARIS-PARIS. The inspiration comes from the centre of Paris, the spontaneous elegance of Parisian women and moments from their daily lives, in bustling Paris. Rather than thinking about Paris as a destination, the thought crossed my mind that I had often heard people talking about Parisian women, with their naturally chic and elegant style. Although it is difficult to describe this rather singular style, each person intuitively knows what you mean when you evoke Parisian women. For PARIS-PARIS, we therefore needed to combine highly sophisticated raw materials, in this instance the Damascena rose, which is a complex flower, with patchouli and pink peppercorn, which are dry, spicy and more unpolished. In this way, the feminine side of elegant Parisian women is present, as is another more androgynous, almost masculine side, for a more relaxed facet.

Isn’t it difficult to create a fragrance inspired by such a symbolic place as Paris? It is the first of LES EAUX DE CHANEL to draw inspiration not from a place, but from its inhabitants. I was born in Grasse but I have always lived in Paris. As a Perfumer-Creator, it isn’t the easiest thing to work on a fragrance inspired by your hometown and what it symbolizes. That’s probably why I was more inspired by Parisian women than by the destination and the place itself. Paris isn’t just a beautiful city, it’s a city that reinvents itself, that lives and changes. It is a city that is evolving, from the past and in the present.

 Is PARIS-PARIS aimed only at women? Fragrance is a part of our identity, of what we reveal about our personality. It is a gesture for oneself, and also creates the impression we want to make on others. Women have always worn what were recognized as “men’s” fragrances. In fact, every fragrance simultaneously contains both masculine and feminine aspects, and it is up to each person to choose what the fragrance represents for them, on a personal level. Some are more masculine, others more feminine. But that doesn’t mean they have to be worn by a man or by a woman. Rules change, PARIS-PARIS is very feminine but endeavours above all to make the emotions ofthe wearer resonate beyond gender.

What aspects of Gabrielle Chanel’s Paris are found in PARIS-PARIS? With PARIS-PARIS, the idea was not to compare two different eras, the Paris of today and that of Gabrielle Chanel. Which reminds me of one of her most striking expressions: “Fashion becomes unfashionable. Style never.” There is something about Parisian style that goes beyond its era, and that is what I have tried to transcribe in this fragrance. Gabrielle’s intention to draw inspiration from the male wardrobe to create the silhouette of a simple but elegant woman, remains very contemporary, and the idea is also present in PARIS-PARIS. Some of LES EAUX DE CHANEL destinations have become House inspirations and elements of style. We have returned to Paris, where Gabrielle Chanel built her world. Paris is obviously a very powerful part of the House identity. Mademoiselle Chanel was deeply Parisian, that followed her throughout her entire life. There is her life, and there is the House of CHANEL today. Both are in Paris.

Could you describe PARIS-PARIS for us in 3 words? Freshness, elegance and fluidity.

 CHANEL PARIS-PARIS LES EAUX DE CHANEL Verkrijgbaar via chanel.com. 125ml €135 Lait pour le corps 200ml €58