Chloe Nomade Review (Quentin Bisch) 2018 +“A Scent In Motion” Draw

Quentin Bisch in his office at Givaudan – Paris, October 2018 (Photo: Despina Veneti)©

A couple of weeks ago in Paris I interviewed perfumer Quentin Bisch in his office at Givaudan (full interview coming soon in our site!), wearing Ungaro Diva. At the end of our enjoyable talk we smelled his latest creations together; Diva revealed my love for chypres, and he proposed that I tried on a scent of which he was especially proud, as he said. Chloé Nomade instantly appealled to this chypre girl, causing joy to the perfumer (Quentin's enthusiastic “you smell good!”, as we were walking around the building, is highly indicative of his genuine – and endearing – happiness when smelling his creations on others!)

Chloe Nomade ad (Courtesy of Chloe Fragrances/Coty Luxury)©

Nomade is a high-quality and innovative (it contains 7 brand-new Givaudan-created ingredients) neo-chypre, not to mention a rather unexpected addition to Chloé’s traditionally soft-floral fragrant offerings. Unlike the house's previous feminine releases, this one would be very easy for men to wear, as well.

Chloe Nomade’s most prominent ingredients (Photo collage: Despina Veneti)©

Nomade opens with a blast of several kinds of citrus, which altogether resemble more of a grapefruit note. The delightful mirabelle (a sweet, highly aromatic, sunny-yellow French plum) soon takes over, finding good company in the juicy peach and the emerging floral heart (most notably a mature, powdery rose and a delicate, but prominent freesia). The oakmoss soon declares its presence, providing a mossy undercurrent. Within the hour the musk kicks in, giving a softer subtext to the oakmoss; as a result the latter feels more balsamic and herbal, than earthy. As the hours pass, the scent becomes fruitier and drier in an increasingly abstract way, but still beautiful for a good 3-4 hours more. After that comes a very long drydown – my least favorite stage of the scent's evolution – where the mossy and musky base dominates, devoid of the succulent fruits and florals; however, after so many hours, one needs only re-apply the fragrance to experience again its enjoyable olfactory evolution.

The Chloe Nomade bottle surrounded by the Chloe Drew bag and a vintage water flask (Photo collage: Despina Veneti)©

The fragrance is hosted in a bottle inspired by the famous Chloe  Drew bag, although it also reminds me of vintage water flasks. Its unusual shape, golden details, pink suede cord and pretty finish make it a stunner to have and to hold.

Ariane Labed, the face of Chloe Nomade (Photos courtesy of Chloé Fragrances/Coty Luxury)©

The face of the perfume is Athens-born, rising French actress Ariane Labed, and the whole promotional campaign is simple, yet one of the most tasteful (and relevant to the scent) ones I've seen lately. A beautiful young woman, with the wind in her hair, enjoys the surroundings and interactions with locals during a trip to breathtaking, sand-dune territories.

Chloe Nomade ad, Ariane Labed pictured (Courtesy of Chloé Fragrances/Coty Luxury)©

Although it distantly echoes classic chypres like Guerlain Mitsouko (sans the spices) or Rochas Femme (with less overtly feminine character), Chloé Nomade is a totally modern take on the chypre genre; its fresh, airy opening, its delightful fruitiness and subtle florals, and its mildly mossy base evoke the changes of scenery during a long voyage. The feeling of being enveloped by a shifting scented breeze, and the longing for travelling when I close my eyes and smell it, are further proof of the intelligence and mastery behind its creation. I look forward to trying the scent in all seasons, for I suspect it will perform in a chameleon-like manner.

 Nomade is airy yet deep, tomboyish yet sensual – a scent in motion. The notion of the joy of travelling is masterfully instilled into the scent. I fully understand why its creator feels especially proud of it…

Top Notes: Mirabelle, Bergamot, Lemon, Orange. Middle Notes: Freesia, Rose, Jasmine, Peach. Base Notes: Oakmoss, Amberwood, Patchouli, Sandalwood, White Musk.

Disclaimer: I would like to thank Quentin Bisch and Givaudan for my sample. The opinions are my own.

– Despina Veneti, Contributor

We have10 ml decant of Chloé Nomade for a  registered CafleureBon reader anywhere in the world. Iif you are not sure if you are registered click here (you must register on our site or your entry will be invalid). To be eligible, please leave a comment  with  what you enjoyed about Despina’s review of Chloe Nomade, where you live and if you like Chypre perfumes. Draw closes 11/5/2018

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like ÇaFleureBon and use our Blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume. 

 

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21 comments

  • RinB says:

    It’s been a long time since a mainstream release excited me as much as this one does! It’s not that I’m devoted to niche scents – not at all – but many current designer scents are a little too sweet, fruity or abstract floral for me. Something about Chloe Nomade captivated me at first sniff, however, and I have been wanting to make it a part of my collection. I enjoyed Despina’s description of the scent as “a totally modern take on the chypre genre; its fresh, airy opening, its delightful fruitiness and subtle florals, and its mildly mossy base evoke the changes of scenery during a long voyage”. I also think that the ad copy and imagery is spot on with the scent, for once. I don’t own many chypres (my favorite is probably Mitsouko or Azemour les Orangers), but I enjoy them and this is one I’d be pleased to own. I’m in the US – many thanks!

  • Annatar says:

    I’m a huge fan of chypres, my favourite ones being Miss Dior, Mitsouko and the sadly discontinued l’Arte, and I’d really love to smell Chloe’s version of the genre. Hope it’ll reignite public interest in chypres again!

    Thanks for the draw. I live in Russia

  • Monica Beaton says:

    I don’t tend to pay much attention these days to mainstream perfume house’s new releases, and not a huge fan of chypres, but Despina has written a lovely, descriptive and very honest review of this new scent. Lovely enough that I now think I’d like to give it a try. Something I wouldn’t normally bother with. This release feels modern and new for the brand, and appeals to the unisex fragrance lover in me. Nomade – as described and reviewed – appears to be something neither overly feminine or masculine, but a modern addition to the brand that can be worn by all. I live in Australia.

  • prasida.perfume says:

    I like how you feature the bottle design, the new use of materials for an established brand. Personally I am a fan of peach and rose so I look forward to this release. I’m also curious about the unisex dry down.

  • Alexandre H says:

    All has been said above ! The “longing for travelling” aspect really caught me although I will admit I am become a big fan of chyprés ever since I tried on a vintage Mitsouko from the 50’s. So this review truly enticed me, so much that I will find a way to sniff it in the days to come ! As you said, Quentin Bisch has a real talent to blur the line between mainstream and niche and the fact that four ingredients are Givaudan patented only makes me even more impatient to try and find out ! As to the draw : I live in France 😉

  • Alen says:

    This sounds really light and nice, the notes are great. I would love to try it. Great review and thanks for the chance. I am in the EU.

  • cressit says:

    Beautiful review by Despina. I am a big fan of chypres and am interested in the term neo-chypre that she uses in the review. I also am interested that Nomade uses 7 new Givaudan created ingredients. If Quentin Bisch signed this, I’m sure it’s interesting and I’d like to try it. I live in the US

  • Jacquie says:

    I have read that Chloé nomade is difficult to wear but now even if i don’t win I will buy it based on Despina review
    I am
    Reading more about Quentin Bisch
    I live in the USA

  • Cynthia says:

    Thanks for such a detailed review of this fragrance. I loved the original Chloe years ago, it was a staple in my fragrance wardrobe. I didn’t care much for the newer ones (not so new now). This one sounds like I would like it. I have found it surprisingly hard to find on the dept store shelves, though, and have not had a spray yet. I’ll try harder now! I agree that the model makes me want to try it more. When I see girls that look maybe 17 on perfumes I think, nope. Thanks for a good review.

  • Harlod1557 says:

    Great straightforward review from Despina. I like the part where you compare the scent to being on a voyage. It really helps explain the perfume plus it matches the pictures quite well. I don’t have much experience with Chypre perfumes since I mostly am interested in male leaning fragrances, but I have recently been taking more of an interest in female ones.
    Arizona

  • Zibbyz says:

    I like the way she tied the images from the campaign to the scent… So often they don’t seem to match. I like chypres, I think must de Cartier is a chypres? I also think the bottle is nice. Thank you for the draw, and the article! In the us/ WA state

  • Jake smith says:

    The whole chloe line is really good my favorite is the Rose’s. My girlfriends signature scent is the chloe edp and she absolutely loves it. Thank you for the detailed review and the giveaway. As always keep up the good work! I am in AZ.

  • Onyinye says:

    I loved “Nomade opens with a blast of several kinds of citrus, which altogether resemble more of a grapefruit note”. I also like that it’s unisex and the bottles are beautiful.
    I live in California and have no idea about Chypre

  • audesko1 says:

    Beautiful article. I would love a try at this chypre. I Love une rose chyrree. Maybe this one, a scent in motion, will be lovely too! thank you. I live in California.

  • Tamra says:

    What I like most about this review is the beautiful description of the notes and the campaign photos. I love chypre fragrances-very sensual. I live in the USA.

  • NiceVULady says:

    Love the citrus opening which becomes a grapefruit note. Sweet and tart is very appealing. I think this review gives me a really good idea of what Nomade will smell like. I like some chypres-it depends on other variables. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • doveskylark says:

    I am a big fan of both Mitsouko and Femme, so I am intrigued by this Nomade. I also love any thing with oak moss and peach. I have never tried anything from Chloe, so I am excited for this one. I live in the USA.

  • Cynthia says:

    To follow up on my comment, actually I guess its’ not that hard to find. I had to go into an Ulta for something and there it was. Inspired by your review I gave it a spray and it really is very nice! A light chypre. Thanks for the heads up, and I guess I need to get out more, lol.

  • jeremyn87 says:

    It soudns like an interesting scent, but what appeals to me most is the citrus blast at the top. I know it said it smells grapefruity, but I could imagine something like from the 50’s when I think of a citrusy chypre, which I am a fan of.
    I loove chypres. I wish oakmoss didn’t go out of “style.” I wear older chypres all the time.
    Im in the US. Thanks for the draw