After Moscow, New York and Tokyo, the latest in Guerlain's City Collection now take us to London.
The Inspiration:
The Victorian and Edwardian architecture reigns supreme. Its many assets: museums, concerts, exhibitions, shopping, pubs, tearooms and clubbing are spread over distinct neighborhoods: the City, Soho, Portobello, Piccadilly, Kensington and Notting Hill. Gigantic royal parks such as Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regents Park and St. James provide ample opportunity to enjoy nature.
Take a moment to think about The Beatles, Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Francis Bacon and so many others…Pop, make-up, sandwiches, marmalade, jelly, tea and cocktails, outrageous hats, Savile Row tailors, the Tudor Rose, fair play. One singular element after another come together to give form to an atypical world linking past and present. Leisure and excitement, extravagance and convention, humor and etiquette, these are the paradoxes London embodies.
The Fragrance:
Top Notes: rhubarb accord,grapefruit and bergamot
Middle Notes: Duo of roses, the essence and the absolute, violet evoke lawns the homes and Kensington Gardens in the spring, (yet it is interpreted here in a candied version to recall the famous tangy English sweets) and cardamom
Base Notes: Light woody base composed of black tea, Haitian vetiver and Texan white cedar
The Bottle:
"For this launch, the bottle sheds its initial 250 ml format and adopts the 100 ml travel size allowed in the plane cabin. On the front, we see the number that corresponds to the journey, 04 for London. On the back, Serge Mansau drew a sketch, engraved in platinum that traces out the emblematic spot of the city. In this case, the Tower Bridge illustrates the spirit of London. As with the previous destinations, this journey is accompanied by a map, designed like a scented treasure hunt. Developed and designed by graphic artist Carla*Sonia, this poetic journey combines maps, images and drawings. Iconic sites such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Westminster mark out and suggest a more intimate itinerary, such as the Chelsea Physic Garden, the “Apothecaries’ Garden”; the Royal Mews for its incredible homage to the equestrian world; or the hundred-year-old rose garden in Regents Park. Other districts are highlighted as well, gourmet markets and sensorial spots that confirm the wonderfully mixed nature of London", says a Guerlain spokesperson".
–Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief