May Day and the heralding of Spring is celebrated in many cultures, but we are especially fond of the French custom of presenting your nearest and dearest with a sprig of lily of the valley. Guerlain fully embrace this tender tradition by reinterpreting the heritage of their Muguet fragrance in a distinctly designed flacon that changes each year.
Breathtakingly beautiful, the bottle alone is reason enough for this to be a hotly-anticipated launch for any year, but for the true perfume connoisseur the juice inside matters very much, too… Here lilac blossoms bloom with rose and jasmine in the accord invoking freshly unfurled, delicately dew-speckled leaves – a lacy froth adorning the countryside around us.
Guerlain say: ‘This season, the Floral Bottle created by the master glassmakers Pochet et du Courval – which held the first interpretation of Muguet by Guerlain in 1908 – is given pride of place. Originally made of glass, it has been crafted exclusively for this edition in white porcelain biscuit, from which springs a graceful and pure decoration in relief, beautifully illustrating the good-luck flower. A technical feat meticulously executed by Artoria, a renowned specialist in the field.
The reputation of this French manufacture based in Limoges dates back to the 1920s, particularly thanks to the designs by Camille Tharaud (1878-1956), a highly skilled and innovative porcelain artist who raised the prestige of working in ceramic. His delicate handcrafted decorations would subsequently earn him worldwide recognition, with his works being displayed in top museums. In 2007, Artoria obtained the prestigious “Living Heritage Company” label.
Through its Muguet, blending tradition and innovation, wonderful green notes evoking the springtime dew. Rose, jasmine and a lilac accord take over at the heart, lending a depth and femininity. The neck of the bottle is adorned with a green organdie ribbon whose four-looped bow also dates back to 1908, like the bow on a gift to which you add a finishing touch before offering it as a lucky charm to someone dear.’
This collector’s item for 2015 has been produced in just 1,659 numbered pieces, price on request. (Did someone drop No. 1700, we wonder…? Or have Guerlain saved it for their archive…?)
Les Exclusifs de Guerlain Muguet 2015 eau de toilette, 75 ml
At Harrods Salon de Parfums
