I am La Petite Robe Noire. If you have seen me you will NEVER FORGET ME.
Paris is my kingdom… I stroll through it at will. My light step leaves no eyes still. My heels echo loud, my winks conquer crowds and my smiles are vows. Hearts are broken behind me. It’s plain to see! I have more than one trick. Breathe in my scent quick. Trailing close, it akes hold in a bold game of hide-and-seek. It’s a chic boy magnet: a lasting mark, a signature visible in the dark.
I was born in a rose…TWO YEARS ago, in a scent laboratory with care and passion to bestow: the exclusive Guerlain boutiques. Let’s admit it. I was such a hit that I now reinvent a new seductive version of myself, unfurled in perfumeries all over the world. It’s my predisposition. From the cradle to my international debut, it’s a family tradition. The Champs-Elysées boutique was Jacques Guerlain’s development and creation studio retreat. In this real scent laboratory, he secretly tested what customers preferred before offering these fragrances to more admirers.
My destiny took A TURN… I have a secret to share. Thierry, Guerlain’s exclusive perfumer fell madly in love with me, I swear. It was love at first sight. He perfected me, fulfilled me and brought me to light. Barely bloomed, I was adorned in the Guerlinade, a path on which my older sisters trod. This famous and instantly recognisable recipe is woven from the essential House ingredients. Let me see… A radiant breeze of Tonka bean, vanilla, iris and patchouli, if you please. Just follow your nose and discover me. I am fresher, more luminous and amorous, more couture and more glamorous. The essence of Parisian elegance. The new face of grace!
A DRYDOWN like a lovely gown… Like the cut of a dress, my fragrance is shaped with all of Guerlains’ finesse. Its simple signature enhances and romances several exceptional materials: black cherry, patchouli and rose in a bold overdose. During his travels, Thierry Wasser unravelled these treasures. Yes, my Pygmalion is a great explorer of scents and an immense “nose alchemist.” My charms reach new heights to reveal me in a new light. More sensual, intrepid, incredibly pure… with a plunging neckline for amazing allure. Smell me on your skin so sweet, as appetising and silky as a rose macaron treat. Mmmmm. You’ll want to devour me with kisses to eternity.
From temptation to THE passion, an irresistible attraction. Between fantasy and magic, black cherry blinks the first wink. It is illustrated by a clever blend that extends exquisite almond, delicious berries and fresh, sparkling bergamot.
The second wink takes place as rose enters the stage. A precious combination of fresh, explosive bulgarian rose essence and the presence of soft, deliciously candied turkish rose absolute.
Finally, the shadowy temptations of liquorice and smoky black tea reveal more of me. The evocation of the dark, powerful and noble root leads to slightly dry seduction touched with anise to boot. Elegant lapsang leaves are smoked to make themselves seen with an almost leathery sheen.
For the ultimate temptation, the entire creation is wrapped in Guerlinade. Imbued with maturity, it adds to my charisma and mystery. Fresh, enigmatic and exhilarating… Mischievous and captivating… I am the warm spark beneath the sweetness. And there’s so much more in store for you. So don’t be alarmed when you fall under my charm…
MY HOUSE is a bottle My glass house is inviting. It catches the eye in one sly glance, beckons to the hand and seems familiar to the view – it’s déjà vu! It rings a bell because it’s a faithful replica of the bottle of my illustrious siblings, L’Heure Bleue and Mitsouko (almost 100 years old but still raring to go!). You will recognise the sensual, feminine taper of the shoulders and the stopper with its upside-down heart shape. So many clear invitations to come near. The outline of my favourite little black dress looks very fine against the crystal-clear surface with a gradation of black ink to powdery pink. Another man, another fan: drawn by Serge Manseau, it is gracefully plunging and flared, with delicate balloon sleeves to leave my arms bare. Where’s the dance floor? I’m ready for more!”
Darcy, Cassandre, Nikasinovitch: Illustrators have AL WAYS accompanied the history of Guerlain. La Petite Robe Noire returns to this chic and offbeat artistic stance by giving free rein to Kuntzel+Deygas. Olivier Kuntzel, a precursor of digital graphic art in France, graduated from the Olivier de Serres Applied Arts School with a diploma in visual communication. Florence Deygas, a key figure in “elegant drawing”, graduated from the Gobelins Visual Arts School with a diploma in animated film. Since 1990, they have united their talents as designers and illustrators under the name Kuntzel+Deygas to co-create “narrative” graphic design with an inimitable style.
Their “creatures” have claimed a place in all modes of creation: objects, cinema, advertising campaigns and exhibitions all over the world. Their illustrated duos – The Beauty (by Deygas) and Her Beast (by Kuntzel), the two black dogs Caperino & Peperone or Winney & Loosey, the orange bull and the black donkey – helped create a buzz for the greatest couture, watch, leather goods and jewellery houses, even finding their way to magazine covers. On the big screen, they designed legendary opening credits: Catch Me if You Can by Steven Spielberg, The Pink Panther by Shawn Levy and Le Petit Nicolas by Laurent Tirard.
This collaboration with Guerlain brings a new character to life. The sleek figure of a mischievous, endearing and refined Parisian woman moving through a unique showcase on the borders of fragrance and fashion. Hand-sewn and tailor-made to capture all the personality of La Petite Robe Noire.
Availability: August 13th @ Sephora; $64/1 oz., $80/1.6 oz., $115/3.3 oz.
