Since it was announced that Olivier Polge would be joining his father Jacques at Chanel as in-house perfumer, the world has been on tenterhooks to smell what Olivier offered up to us as his first fragrance.
Misia is inspired by the role played in her life by Chanel’s friend Misia Sert – the woman who introduced Chanel to the world of arts, and the Ballets Russes in particular. Misia was created to conjure up the world backstage in a theatre: lipstick, powder – and we’re getting layers and layers of tulle…
As soft as a feather, as wearable as a Little Black Dress, it marries the scents of violet – a note unfamiliar in Chanel‘s portfolio – with rose, that pillar of perfumery. There’s a touch of ‘Mummy’s handbag’ to it: hints of lipstick and all things feminine. And there is literally not a single person we’ve spritzed with this who hasn’t asked for an ‘encore’.=
We shouldn’t be surprised, though: Olivier’s stellar roll-call of significant creations includes Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb and Spicebomb, Balenciaga Florabotanica and Jimmy Choo.
It has been released as part of the Chanel Les Exclusifs Collection – but we predict Misia is going to prove so popular, they’ll need to break with tradition and widen distribution.
Meanwhile? Get thee to a Chanel boutique (or any department store which showcases Les Exclusifs) to smell it for yourself.
Chanel Misia from £115 for 75ml eau de parfum
Buy it at Chanel Les Exclusifs counters