Présentation de l’éditeur Perfume Legends II. Be inspired. by Michael Edwards
In 1996 Perfume Legends revolutionised perfumery. Never before had perfumers spoken openly about their work and the sources of their inspiration. Now the cult book is updated, with new insights, stunning images and eight new legends.
What makes a Legend ? An accord so innovative that it inspired other compositions ; an impact so profound that it shaped a trend ; and an appeal likely to transcend the whims of fashion.
Quotable quote “Perfume is substance and spirit. It must be a story, a myth, long before people wear it. If you don’t have noise and word-of-mouth, it doesn’t work, it has no meaning – it’s just business.” Maurice Roger, Dior’s legendary president (Poison, Fahrenheit)
How No.5 was named Perfumer Ernest Beaux presented Coco Chanel with 10 perfumes in two series : 1 to 5 and 20 to 24. “From these she chose numbers 20, 21, 22 and, most famously, number 5’” he said. “For the one labelled Number 5, I asked ‘What name should be given to it ?’ Mlle Chanel replied, ‘I present my dress collection on the 5th of May, the fifth month of the year; so we’ll leave the number with which it’s labelled, and this number 5 will bring it good luck.’ “
Perfumers working together Anne-Marie Saget describes her unusual manner of working with Jean-Paul Guerlain, a collaboration that resulted in such masterpieces as Nahema, Derby and Samsara. “Jean-Paul used to say that I was his conscience. On the major projects, he could not and would not allow me to come up with a formula that was better than his. He wanted to win! If I came up with something good, he had to take it one step further, to improve it and make it his own. We didn’t collaborate – we challenged each other.”
