Most of us will never own a ‘bespoke’ fragrance – but Guerlain’s Mon Exclusif launch, exclusive to Selfridges, means that at least we can have a perfume that’s entirely ours.
Because the exquisite bottle can be personalised by engraving it with your name, monogram or initials at the counter. The flacon is a heritage design taken from the archives, used once upon a time for Coque d’Or – and for that fragrance’s limited edition reincarnation, last year. (The original Coque d’Or was composed by Jacques Guerlain in 1937 as an homage to Serge Diaghilev, whose famous Ballets Russes took the dance world by storm.)
Interestingly, the Mon Exclusif ‘juice’ is an Ambrée fougère – and we’re suddenly seeing a renaissance of this fragrance family, which relies heavily on lavender. In this case, it’s a Carla lavender, sourced from the deliciously-named Baume des Anges firm in France’s Drôme region, which focuses on pure, natural aromas. (They supply sprigs of the same lavender to three-Michelin-star restaurants worldwide, we’re told.)
Thierry Wasser then laced Mon Exclusif with Ambrée accords – and the famous, signature Guerlinade. There’s a soft, caressing sandalwood and a toffee accord, weaving salted butter caramel, vanilla and coumarin. Musk, too, as well as mandarin and iris.
So: pirouette along to Selfridges to smell it – and to make it truly yours…
Guerlain Mon Exclusif £105 for 50ml
Exclsuively at Selfridges
