Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Perfume Classics & Future Classics (By Pierre Aulas)

I was reading some material by Pierre Aulas (the artistic director at Parfums Mugler) and came across a reference that I deemed interesting. In it he presents his views on classics and in what he predicts will go down as "modern classics" in the near future. Let's hear the man out:
by artist Michelle Bennett via decorpad.com
"In truth, very few products manage to become classics in both Europe and America. That said, on my list of the greatest perfumes for women are Angel, (not a surprise), Aromatics Elixir, Obsession, Opium, Hypnotic Poison, Féminité du Bois and L’Heure Bleue, while, for men, my votes go to Farenheit, CK One, Kenzo pour Homme, L'Eau d’Issey pour Homme, Aqua di Gio, Le Mâle and Dolce & Gabbana pour Homme.

Pierre Aulas via Elisa de Feydeau  
 Future classics? Coco Mademoiselle, J’adore, Chloé and, more specifically in Europe, Alien and Narcisco Rodriguez . For men, I think Terre d’Hermes, especially in Europe. "

Which do you think of the current fragrances on shelves will go down as "modern classics"?

9 comments:

  1. brie16:24

    Nice to see Aromatics Elixir listed!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Merlin18:30

    I'm not going to pretend to be even a little objective about this: Infusion d Iris and Chergui...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Miss Heliotrope01:30

    Very rarely do people of an era manage to pin point what will end up being the best of that era - we are too embedded.

    It is fun, though. Personally, I don't know - although I wonder whether it will be an idea - like the growth of niche perfumery, or the influence of the growth of non-French or -US markets, rather than an actual scent. (I know that's not the question).

    ReplyDelete
  4. B,

    it certainly created a "vogue" in its time. (And I consider it among the very best myself).

    ReplyDelete
  5. Merlin,

    though Chergui being niche might not be recognizable for that many in 50 years' time there is no doubt in my mind that Infusion d'Iris will go down as the classic of our era.

    ReplyDelete
  6. C,

    absolutely, great point! We're too involved in the process to be able to step outside it and pronounce judgment.

    Your point on the emergence of niche being the most prevalent characteristic is also astoundingly correct. Yes, that's a major thing for the 2000s. And the emergence of "new" centres of "perfume" power (Middle East for one)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous21:17

    Kenzo Flower and Lolita Lempicka.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anon,

    very good mentions, the first sells very well (and is very characteristic in its genre) and the second enjoys cult status in France (and also sells well in Europe in general).

    ReplyDelete
  9. J'Adore won't be a classic, they already destroyed it.

    ReplyDelete

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