When creating a new fragrance, or a new version of a much-loved favourite, a perfumer or “nose” takes into account what’s already gone before says Jacques Polge, head of Parfums Chanel.
“In the beginning, there is of course the idea that comes to you instinctively, that you cannot explain. And yet at the same time, you realise that it is connected,” says Monsieur Polge.
Chanel Coco Noir fragrance (above) was influenced by Mademoiselle Chanel’s trip to Venice (above top left) in 1936 after the death of her lover Boy Capel, says head of Parfums Chanel, Jacques Polge (above top right)
“For Coco Noir, I thought of Coco and of Coco Mademoiselle too, because it’s also part of the history. I wanted to continue exploring an entire esthetic range of Chanel perfumery, a range that distinguishes itself from the Florals, one that is illustrated by Bois-des-Iles and Cuir de Russie.
“I took it up with Coco. It’s what I like to call the Chanel Coromandel culture, what you see and feel in her apartment. The night vision of the ‘Orient that starts and ends in Venice’ imposed itself upon me and that is where I wanted to go.”
This reference of the “Orient that starts and ends in Venice” comes from a quote from Mademoiselle Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel: “Why does everything I do become Byzantine?”
The concept of everything from the scent itself ‒ a base of sandalwood, vetiver, frankincense, patchouli, vanilla, tonka bean and a musky note; top notes of pink peppercorns and grapefruit and a heart of jasmine, rose and narcissus ‒ to the glorious black and gold bottle come from Mademoiselle Chanel’s trip to Venice after the death of her lover Boy Capel.
While in Venice Mademoiselle Chanel realised she “didn’t like fussy dresses” wearing simple, sober clothes in black, but combined them with a riot of gold influenced by the baroque arabesques that decorate much of old Venice.
Coco Noir is a mature, deep scent that carries the unmistakable elegance that is a Chanel fragrance, invoking a restrained sensuality that makes it fabulous to wear both day and night.
Chanel Coco Noir fragrance is available from the Chanel Fragrance and Beauty Boutiques located at #B2-43 ION Orchard, Tel: 6634 5500 & #B1-134 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Tel: 6634 7280. Chanel Coco Noir is available in 50ml for $166 and 100ml for $242. For more information about Parfums Chanel, go to www.chanel.com/fragrance-beauty.
