Louis Vuitton Relaunches Its First Ever Fragrance
Meet the new era Heures d’Absence
Photo: Courtesy
Louis Vuitton Relaunches Its First Ever Fragrance
In 1927, at the height of the glamorous Roaring Twenties, Louis Vuitton launched its very first fragrance. Heures d’Absence was exclusive; there were just 300 bottles made, and each was decorated with a miniature airplane motif to showcase the brand’s enduring love of travel and adventure during the golden era of aviation. Nearly a century later, that first formula has long been lost – no one knows quite how that first spritz smelt.
Thankfully the fragrance is about to be given a second lease of life. And, due to the loss of its original formula, a renewed scent. Louis Vuitton’s master perfumer, Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud, sought to bring together a bouquet of flowers with a contemporary twist. The creation took three years to formulate and, as part of the development process, Cavallier-Belletrud tells Bazaar, he even got his wife and daughter to trial wearing it to see if people in the street would comment.
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Photo: Courtesy
Louis Vuitton Relaunches Its First Ever Fragrance
It's unsurprising to learn that they did. Inside one bottle is flora from all corners of the world; jasmine from Grasse and sambac jasmine from China are set against the light May rose. These are combined with powdery mimosa from the Tanneron and balanced by a sharp touch of raspberry, warm vanilla notes of Peruvian balm alongside deeper Sri Lankan sandalwood and musk to bring out more sensual elements.
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Photo: Courtesy
Louis Vuitton Relaunches Its First Ever Fragrance
The scent is not for everyone, and nor is it meant to be: "If you do, you only create a soup," declares Cavallier-Belletrud. Instead, "everything is done in service of the flowers, there’s no element to rein them in or disturb their message". We agree – not only is Heures d’Absence a welcome addition to the 11 other women’s fragrances by Louis Vuitton – but a welcome addition to our shelves.
Heures d’Absence, £185 100 ml EDP is available on March 5 at select Louis Vuitton stores and at louisvuitton.com.
This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR UK.
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