Encounters

Accords: Iris with Oudh facet, Spicy Woody Oriental
Mood: Confidently hedonistic, mysterious and luxurious

A sensual and seductive iris.

Where East meets West: the fascinating intersection of different cultures, where diversity gives birth to a new language. Iconic materials from East and West—oudh and iris—melt together to create a new, mysterious and sensual creation.

The fascination of influences

I have always been fascinated by influences from different cultures that create new forms – called syncretic, eclectic: for me, a new and fascinating miracle.
I remember my fascination with the exotic and mysterious pseudo-Arabic characters in the halos of some Renaissance paintings, which focused on a typical aspect of Christian culture yet were influenced by a reference to Arabic culture.
Or the incredible syncretic forms such as Greek or Roman temples converted into Christian churches, or Indo-Islamic architecture that blends two cultures into a new language.

Encounters, the scent

I wanted to express this obsession of mine with Encounters, thanks to a combination of two iconic raw materials from East and West, Iris and Oudh – a moment of encounter from which a new creation emerges.
You'll find the refined elegance of iris butter with its soft and mysterious powderiness; a material that develops in the earth to then give birth to the most lyrical of flowers.
And you'll find Oudh, a material that comes from an infection of Aquilaria trees and then produces one of the most fascinating and complex scents in perfumery.

Iconic raw material: Iris butter

The iris is an iconic flower in Western culture. It is the symbol of the city of Florence, in whose surroundings one of the most important cultivation areas for this flower has developed.
The fleur de lys has also been a symbol of the French kings since the 12th century.
And irises can be found countless times in paintings throughout Western history.

Iconic raw material: Oudh

Oudh is an iconic ingredient in Eastern culture due to its crucial importance. It is formed by an infection of the Aquilaria tree and is native to South and Southeast Asia, as well as parts of the Middle East.
It is used for spiritual and religious purposes and is said to help uplift the spirit and create a sense of calm and connection to the divine.
Due to its intense and complex aroma, it is considered one of the most valuable materials in perfumery. It is woody with leathery, animalic, and smoky facets.