Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Christian Dior La Collection Privee Grand Bal: new fragrance

Literally fascinated by the excess of the imposing balls that he would not miss for anything, Christian Dior used his fashion to celebrate a certain luxurious and timeless celebratory spirit. Seen in the Musée Christian Dior in Granville, Normandy, the fashions of Dior as presented in 2010 in an exhibition of 50 classic couture gowns, cannot but make one catch their breath; such is their beauty, their clever engineering and grandiose style. A new chapter in the "Christian Dior Collection Privée", the upcoming Grand Bal perfume elegantly embodies the intoxication of a summer's night at the first light of dawn.

via tohaveandhaveon.wordpress,com

Like the most beautiful of gowns, its radiant composition, dominated by Grasse Jasmine, conceals noble raw materials. "Grand Bal is an echo of Christian Dior's great ball gowns, whose full full skirts and beauty evoked the petals of a flower in full bloom" , according to head perfumer François  Demachy.
The classicism of jasmine is further enhanced by sparkling bergamot, Tunisian orange blossom, Comorian ylang ylang, New Caledonia sandalwood (this is a different sandalwood species that smells rather different than the Indian species or the Australian one) and sweet musk. 



The matter of IFRA restrictions on natural jasmine absolutes creates its own little tension and anticipation in perfume lovers.

Christian Dior Grand Bal is a Dior boutique exclusive fragrance (collection
privée) and will be available in the standard cylindrical bottles of 250ml of La Collection Couturier Parfumeur. 

info & bottle pic via dior.com

10 comments:

  1. Anonymous07:41

    Hello Elena,

    Concerning the sandal wood from New Caledonia. It is an endemic sandal wood (Santalum austrocaledonicum). Nothing to do with the Australian one. The quality is quiet different between the New Caledonian and the Australian. It is not a variant. They are really different species.
    Sincèrement,
    Sandrine

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Sandrine,

    thanks for commenting, how nice to see you here!
    Comment ca va?

    You're right, variants is an incorrect term as it leaves the impression it's a variety rather than a different tree. I will specify it's a different species. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I wonder what it will smell like. I adore ball gowns and I wish so very much for a chance to just try one out. :)
    A perfume that can make me imagine that? That would be incredible.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Selina01:28

    I find it amusing that it is a floral perfume inspired by gowns that were inspired by flowers :) How very meta of Dior. If it is half as beautiful as the gowns pictured, I would be thrilled, but I somewhat doubt it. Jasmine and I have a tempestuous relationship.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ines,

    probably very jasmine-y in the "new" mould of jasmine chez Dior (smell re-issued Diorama for reference)
    The imagery provided by that glorious couture, I agree, is spectacular...*dreamy sigh*

    ReplyDelete
  6. Selina,

    now you got me thinking about this, it is rather amusing! Yes, very meta; how clever of you!

    The gowns pictured were picked by me though, from the 2010 exhibition at Granville; they don't officially accompany the new fragrance press material, so the Dior team can't be held responsible if they don't exactly match in splendor the fragrance in the end! ;-)

    Jasmine isn't easy for a lot of people; hope this cuts it for you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I tried this today at the local Dior boutique. Jasmine is difficult for me in general but this was very easy for me to wear. Heady, flouncy and full - but, alas, gone in about 30 minutes.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gogol,

    thanks for stopping by and sharing your impressions. :-)

    Oh no, sounds like a beautiful thing which vanishes too quickly...that's a bummer! Darn! And in the expensive line as well... :-(

    ReplyDelete
  9. Little Red03:07

    I'm definitely interested in trying this since jasmine is my first love.

    ReplyDelete
  10. LR,

    sounds like the jasmine is well rendered. I wonder whether spraying on fabric would delay evaporation and make this stick longer. Need to test it that way.

    ReplyDelete

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