Beauty Style

New yet timeless: the new Gabrielle Chanel scent

16th September 2017

#espacegabriellechanel is the biggest Chanel space dedicated to a scent by the fashion powerhouse. Launched on 8th Sept, the space will be open at 27 Old Bond Street, London (UK) until 24th Sept. While you can walk in, have a look around and also purchase the perfume there and then, booking your spot is recommended (and essential) to enjoy an exclusive olfactive workshop (held on the 1st floor). During the 40-minute masterclass, you and other 19 guests can discover the secrets of Gabrielle Chanel with a fragrance expert who will guide through it all. Attendees will receive a Chanel tote bag and a pin along with the chance to see inspired films on the fragrance backstage and take picture in the vaulted gallery on the ground floor. Walk through the faceted mirrored walls to reach the cinema space showcasing the new ad starring Kristen Stewart. The ground floor is also constellated with Coco’s favourite quotes – and scented cute little niches to discover the main notes and bouquets that compose the fragrance.

I had been using the fragrance for two weeks before this launched – 1st of Sept was the official worldwide launch – as I was one of the lucky girls to preorder on 20th August. Our host for the day explained why this perfume is so distinctively Chanel yet completely new – and the 1st to launch in 15 years by the hands and mind of parfumier Olivier Polge.

The olfactory masterclass

We sat at a lovely table to be introduced to a little guessing game about each and every single note of the scent – first it was the rich, enveloping heart of exotic Jasmine, followed by the fruity and grassy Ylang-Ylang; so far so good – then it got interesting: fresh Orange Blossom kicks in, pungent and strong, topped up by the delicate Grasse Tuberose. This in particular reminded me of some old-fashioned tonic lotions and podwers that my grandmother used to have at her dressing table and it felt so powerful to smell it rather pure. Memories can be easily attached to scents and if a perfume can conjure that, I like it.

The design

We also had the chance to experience the bottle with a blindfold on: and the design is interesting.As the Chanel official website describes it, the design is striking. It’s conceived with four points of light that recall the four corners of the square bottle crafted of ultra-thin glass, with four transparent sides that fade into the background to let the light shine through. The label and the stopper have the same shape and indefinable lamé colour, a delicate balance between gold and silver – super unique – and the interior is warmed with an even brighter gold. Nestled in an imprint of its silhouette, the bottle is protected by an interior sleeve – very cute and iconic. In the preorder box, I was lucky enough to get a Chanel black pouch to travel with the scent everywhere and a small little Gabrielle bracelet. Cute.

My verdict?

In a combination that is less persistent and more feminine than other stronger scents like N° 5 or Coco Noir, I find this perfume gentle and ideal for every season. Only downside? I seem to spray it and soon after it’s faded. On my skin the longevity is shorter than I expected but I guess it depends on the skin type too. All in all, I like it and I believe it is very versatile: I’m not normally an ultra fan of floral scents – I love Beige and Cuir de Russie,  two Exclusives that are known for their stronger spicier notes – but this one strikes a gentle balance between flowers and spices such that it’s not so overpowering. I do think it has all the qualities to become the perfect, everyday perfume choice for me.

 

    
 

 

The Espace Gabrielle Chanel is open from 8-24 September, from 11am-8pm Monday to Saturday and 12-6pm Sundays. Visit at 27 Old Bond Street, W1S 4QE – London (of course) 🙂

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