Les Bains Guerbois 1992 Purple Night and Prince – edited by Emmanuelle Varron

1992 was a special year in my life. I turned 20, when I FINALLY felt that I had entered the adult’s world, a symbolic age that made me believe I would achieve all my desires. 1992 was also the year my professional life began, the starting point of my career. It was a different era, when I used to have so much fun, when I wore over-the-top outfits, outrageous maquillage and danced in Paris’ most famous nightclubs. An era forgotten or not not known by millennials, but making those of us who were there nostalgic and young people who wished they were, now, after nearly a year of pandemic. Luckily, we can travel back to this year with Les Bains Guerbois 1992 Purple Night.

Jean-Pierre Marois and Dominique Ropion – Photo by Jean Picon

Originally built in 1885, a temple of wellbeing and beauty (known for its many famous artists, including Marcel Proust, Auguste Renoir and Emile Zola), Les Bains Guerbois became fashionable again in 1978: renamed “Les Bains Douches”; it very quickly became THE trendy nightclub in Paris. Jean-Pierre Marois, heir of the building, brought it back to life by setting up a 5 stars hotel in 2015. He then launched an eau de Cologne in 2016, soon followed by six perfumes, all named after Les Bains Guerbois most meaningful years. Recently, 1992 Purple Night was launched, and Master Perfumer Dominique Ropion (IFF) pays tribute to an historical event that took place at the nightclub.

1992 Purple Night – Photo by Roberto Greco

 Les Bains Guerbois 1992 Purple Night is the scent of a true story. Prince, in Paris for the “Diamonds and Pearls” Tour, left the Bercy Arena after the concert with all his musicians to go to the Bains-Douches. And in the early hours of July 12, 1992, he offered an unprecedented after show to an exceptionally large and delirious audience as he was such a popular artist, and absolutely loved by all. Here, at ÇaFleureBon, we devoted an article in 2011 to celebrate Prince’s 53rd birthday, matching our favorite song with its perfect perfume, (well I don’t need to search further). Imagine Paris in mid-summer, the sensuality of the music and the legendary sex appeal of Prince; Master Perfumer Dominique Ropion  captured the wild sensuality and defines his creation in three words: “Exuberant, sensitive and avant-garde”.

French magazine on Prince surprise visit after show at les Bains in July 1992

Carnal tuberose is the star of this fragrance…  the multi-faceted flower representing the genius of Prince, an artist who crossed gender boundaries between masculine-feminine. Tuberose takes center stage and stays on the skin for a long, long time…vibrant, sophisticated and uninhibited. Les Bains Guerbois 1992 Purple Night opens direct and lively, accompanied by sparkling tangerine. But remember tuberose is not the kind of flower that leaves the spotlight to others: its sensual, fleshy notes quickly regain the advantage and bewitch again. This is when an unexpected duet begins, thanks to tobacco notes reminiscent of tonka bean (and the famous Amsterdamer beloved by pipe smokers!). This unique pair then brings roundness and sweetness to our intrepid tuberose, warming it without distorting it. One can then perceive extremely soft leathery notes, like to the one you can feel when caressing a suede garment. On my skin, patchouli is noticeable, but never outshines the tuberose. Other people around me noticed a woody-spicy effect that gave the scent an almost vintage vibe, Les Bains Guerbois 1992 Purple Night is a fragrance with a strong sillage, as we dared to wear at the close of the 20th century.

Sequin suit – Photo by Vikram Gounassegarin / Les Bains Guerbois

The first image that came to my mind  when I sprayed it on was Prince unbuttoning a silk shirt, then throwing it in the audience. In my mind, I was the one grabbing the precious garment,  holding up Prince’s shirt up to my nose and being swept away by his trail of tuberose.

Les Bains Guerbois 1992 Purple Night 1992 evolves after a few hours and has exceptional longevity, still on your skin the next day when you wake up and lingering on your clothing  you wore from the night before. It is at the drydown that tuberose takes a step back and gives way to the tobacco notes strongly marked by the tonka bean. This is a completely different fragrance, softened, rounded, with a delicious sensuality. A constantly renewed surprise that makes you want to wear it, day and night, and which offers tuberose a new interpretation, both nostalgic and totally up to date.

Notes: mandarin, tuberose, jasmine, tobacco accord (with tonka bean), suede accord, patchouli.

Emmanuelle Varron, Senior contributor (with editing by Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief)

Disclaimer: Emmanuelle received a bottle for this review, opinions are her own

 

Les Bains Guerbois 1992, 1999, 2018, 1979, 2013, 1885 and 1900 perfumes – Photos by Les Bains Guerbois, edited by Emmanuelle Varron

Thanks to the generosity of Les Bains Guerbois, we have a discovery set of all fragrances for three registered readers worldwide, you must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment what you thought of Emmanuelle’s review, where you live,  which Les Bains Guerbois you would love to try and your Prince favorite song. Draw closes 02/24/2021

 Available at LesBainsGuerbois, Jovoy and 1992 Purple Night will arrive soon at Luckysent