Anouk Aimée in Paris. Elle est DIVINE (re-image by MC, photographer unknown)
Every woman needs a perfume that whispers… je t’aime. Not I love you. But je t’aime… it’s a subtle but important difference; the scented language of love must be French. Foxy loves his roses and has been wearing something very special, a tender rose with piquant sugar glaze and the loveliest glow of musky amber. Spirituelle is the 11th creation from one of my favourite secret houses, Parfums Divine, based in Dinard on the north coast of Brittany, founded by Yvon Mouchel in 1986.
Anouk Aimée in Federico Fellini's Dolce Vita 1960 Movie Still (Re imaged MC)
Originally from a cosmetics background, Mouchel is a self-taught scent man, obsessed with the artistry of olfactory experiences. His elegant and classically constructed fragrances have become quietly successful with perfume cognoscenti and lovers of scented subtle difference. They have become a word of mouth or word of skin success if you like. All the Parfums Divine fragrances are created by perfumers Richard Ibanez or fellow Breton Yann Vasnier (Yann was 10 years old in 1986); they have clarity, intent and tremendous beauty, echoing luminous creations of the past, while somehow remaining timeless and quietly modern. This is difficult to achieve in today’s crowded and relentlessly flankered fragrance world.
Anouk Aimée Photographed by William Klein, Paris 1961 (re-imaged MC)
M Mouchels’ first creation, the eponymous Divine, released in 1986 is an elegant and shimmering portrayal of woman as art. Heavy with pearls, wreathed in subtle cigarette haze, the music of Mahler plays softly as she stands at a window staring expectantly out in the night. This is the Divine woman and she initiated Mouchel’s cult following. Yvon Mouchel has turned to Richard Ibanez once again, for this latest delicious formulation. Spirituelle is two roses, Anatolian and Mai, bedded down with spices, amber and musk. In all honesty the notes read a little dryly, nothing really leaps out as particularly original, but the loveliness and surprise lies in the careful assembly. The opening is a faint dry Sichuan pepper note and the oh so generic baies roses (pink pepper) that I am becoming very fatigued with in scent just now. Pink pepper just wants to be loved so much and I just can’t… fortunately it is very subtle here.
Anouk Aimée Photo William Klein – Hat + 5 Roses, Paris, 1956 (re-imaged MC)
An incense note in the base of Spirituelle is gossamer light, enough to suggest a dream of smoke. White musks and amber embolden the base, clinging to the petals like dew. There is glow and a flicker of languid sensuality as skin fire up the flowers; slowly you become aware of roses growing softly from your wrists, the air is sweet with an amandine blush. Petals, pistils and thorns roll and wrap over fingers and skin. As you surrender to the inevitable addiction of this patisserie tinged rose, you realise somewhere amid the marzipan swoon…if the garden’s Spirituelle roses always smell this divine, you could sleep amid the blooms for a million years.
Anouk Aimée – Photo reimaged by MC photographer unknown
Spirituelle is a delicious and sensuous addition to the Parfums Divine line and one of my new favourites from this most private and bijou of niche houses. One Editor in Chief has fallen madly passionately in love as well. Anyone interested in style and classicism is well advised to search Spirituelle out and apply liberally. Fox’s orders!
Disclosure – Samples kindly provided to Michelyn and me by Parfums Divine, thank you
–The Silver Fox, Sr Editor and Editor of The Silver Fox
Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief
Atomizer 50 ml Eau de Parfum Spirituelle Parfums Divine -TSF
Thanks to Yvon Mouchel and Parfums Divine we have a draw for a 50 ml Eau de Parfum for any reader worldwide. To be eligible, please leave a comment with what intrigues you about Spirituelle, who you think is the quintessential French woman, where you live and if you have a favorite Parfums Divine. Draw closes November 16, 2014
We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.