Vintage Houbigant La Belle Saison, photo by Christie’s
Once upon a time, a Houbigant floriental perfume La Belle Saison was composed by Robert Bienaime, released in 1925, in a bottle designed by Rene Lalique. The times, they’re a-changing – this perfume was discontinued decades ago, yet the beautiful weather, sunshine after rain, and blooming flowers – aren’t. They are an inexhaustible source of inspiration!
Houbigant Paris La Belle Saison of 2020, created by Celine Ellena (born and raised in Grasse), is not an attempt to recreate the fragrance from the past. This is a new, luminous, and at the same time comforting creation – a multi-floral bouquet of flowers with an air of effortless elegance that’s so characteristic for Houbigant’s takes on what I refer to as the 5Fs (Fine French Feminine Floral Fragrances)–like my beloved Essence Rare (Jean Claude Ellena recreating Jean Claude Ellena, 2018 or historically, dating back to Houbigant Paris’ Le Parfum Ideal by Paul Parquet (1900).
Boticelli Primavera, detail – photo edited by Elena Cvjetkovic©
La Belle Saison begins with brighter colors and sunnier days, adding that little extra spring to your step due to nicer weather and the first flowers blooming! As days grow longer, flower bouquets become lusher, changing scent profiles and colors— from white, pale pink or yellow to bright orange, deep red or vivid purple. Primavera! A celebration of senses! And when light spring or summer rains fall upon the earth, it rejoices by releasing scent molecules to waft merrily in the air, just like aerosol! As moisture in the air helps odor molecules to rise with sunshine after rain, so it helps us to smell better – our sense of smell is simply stronger in the humid air. The fragile elegance of spring and the sensual opulence of summer are best felt after periods of soft rain falling.
Image by Elena Cvjetkovic©
La Belle Saison today is a golden-hued fragrance that feels like sunshine after the first spring rain falling upon clusters of mimosa flowers that are regaining their fluffiness as raindrops evaporate. These moments of initial delicate pink and bright yellow floral tenderness and brightness with just a suggestion of fruitiness, are enhanced with honeyed layers that gradually give more depth to this composition.
Houbigant Paris La Belle Saison, photo by Elena Cvjetkovic ©
Delicate and soft, orange blossoms seem sprinkled with mimosa pollen. Their inner warmth slowly glows with almondy undertones and just a pinch of pink pepper spiciness. Slight herbal nuances seem to balance any sweetness, pulling you into an elegant and powdery cloud of bright lushness, with no thorns at all. As the fragrance develops further, the mimosa retreats into the background. As soothing leaves and a gently whispering trail of balsamic softness meld with white florals and become denser, the deeply settled amber and musk tones begin to unveil their charms. Now the fragrance moves towards the latter stages of its drydown, a serene sophistication takes over. Houbigant La Belle Saison feels like a deep warm breath of flowers in a rain-soaked garden that bathes and unveils all of its beauty in sunshine.
Notes (as listed by the brand): Apricot flower, Pink pepper, Mimosa, Orange blossoms, Lily of the Valley, Sandalwood, Musk, Ciste Labdanum
Elena Cvjetkovic, Editor and Author of The Plum Girl
Disclaimer: A bottle of La Belle Saison was kindly sent to me by Houbigant Paris for my consideration. Opinions and feelings are – as always – of my own.
Houbigant Paris La Belle Saison by Elena Cvjetkovic©
Thanks to the generosity of Houbigant Paris, we have a tester of Houbigant Paris La Belle Saison EDP for one registered reader in the US, EU and UK (you must register on our site or your comment will not count). To be eligible, please tell us what you enjoyed about Elena’s review, if you have a favorite Houbigant Paris perfume or cologne before and where you live. Draw closes July 30, 2020
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