Annick Goutal’s Scentual Luxuries

( I feel I must, in good conscience, interject a note of warning. A journalist should remain objective and aloof from her subject – and I’ve been neither! I adore Annick Goutal’s fragrances and her fragrance philosophy. My collection now takes up most of my vanity – and there’s even more on my wish list. Ms. Goutal has created a very cherished place in the fragrance world – and it is every bit as addictive as her fragrances themselves! I encourage all of you to visit an Annick Goutal counter and sample a few of her scents. Especially those of you who, like me, are unable to wear the majority of the fragrances out there. These fragrances are quite unique in their subtlety and versatility. Enjoy! )

Pictures and product information courtesy of Ludivine Blin, AdiPar.

“Perfume is a secret between oneself and oneself. Only those very close to you can share it.” – Annick Goutal

If you’ve not heard of Annick Goutal, you soon will. Her fragrances have an appeal that transcends current fashion – to be described as “timeless”, and “classic”. Her fans range from Hollywood’s top stars (Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, Madonna) to the late Princess Diana. Very few fragrance lines have as devoted a following as Annick Goutal – and that devotion is well-earned. Her fragrances, in the true French tradition, are subtle, soft, and natural.

Annick Goutal is a true “nose” – a master perfumer, and rarity in the fragrance business. She formulated every fragrance herself – drawing on memories from childhood, impressions of her worldly travels, and her two daughters (Charlotte and Camille) for inspiration.

Annick Goutal, herself, is a Renaissance woman – a concert pianist and a model – before discovering her inspired vocation. Her mastery of aesthetics – borne not only from modeling, but also from spending her childhood wrapping chocolates in her father’s confectionery business – serves her well. Her perfume bottles and boudoir body cream jars are beautifully shaped and topped with elegant butterflies. Further, her bottles are wrapped in beautiful fabrics and script paper labels are tied on with gold cord. That attention to detail graces her fragrances inside the bottle as well. Her love of music found a home in the notes, chords and keys of fragrance artistry.

Many of her fans say they chose a fragrance of hers because it reminded them of something special – it “spoke” to them. That comes as no surprise to Ms. Goutal, who said, “Each one of my fragrances realizes one moment of happiness — each is a result of an intense moment of my life.”

Petit Cherie – “The perfume you want to kiss…”

One of the most sought-after and highly prized perfumes of the year is Annick Goutal’s Petit Cherie. It’s described as the unique experience of womanhood, a celebration of the many transitions in a woman’s life. It reflects an emerging seductive power – combining naivete with strength in a fresh yet passionate mélange of freshly-cut grass, musky rose, peach and vanilla.

“A woman’s life is full of important passages. When she is sixteen, she dreams. When she is twenty, she shimmers. When she is thirty, she is on fire,” explains Ms. Goutal.

Goutal’s Other Fragrances (Author’s note: The following information, and much more, was graciously provided by Ludivine Blin for Adipar Limited.)

Eau d’Hadrien – A zesty combination of lemon, grapefruit, and cypress that evokes the heat of a Mediterranean sun and the coolness of the shade of a lemon tree. Named for the Roman emperor, the fresh eau for men and women is an exhilarating evocation of summer’s promise.

Eau du Ciel – Literally, “water from the sky,” the scent of the air after a rainfall, aromatic with rosewood and violet.

Eau de Camille – A gift to her young daughter, this scent opens up like a window into the ivy-filled garden where she used to play. Evocative of a dew-drenched morning filled with the scent of seringa and fresh-cut grass.

Eau de Charlotte – Created for her daughter, Charlotte, who wanted a fragrance to smell like her favorite blackcurrant jam. For the young girl in every woman, a deliciously mellow blend of blackcurrant buds, mimosa and cocoa.

Folavril – “April Fool” Annick’s interpretation of Spring. Boronia flowers and jasmine are softened with tempting mango. Annick vows, “I never abandoned it, and I always wear it when Springtime comes.”

Heure Exquise – For Annick, it was when sunset and twilight began. Sandalwood, Florentine iris and Turkish rose give it a fresh feeling like the transition of day into night… for those very private moments.

Gardenia Passion – The seductiveness of Gardenias in bloom mingle with the freshness of a hidden garden after the rain. Until now, the elusive flower has resisted capture. Annick Goutal has unlocked its secret, gathering its mysterious identity and offering it as a luxurious, refined fragrance.

Inspired by a trip to Japan where Annick walked through the city of Kyoto after a day of rain showers and found the air infused with the aroma of the gardenia flower. A remembrance of the magic of the country and the delicate yet lush flower.

Passion – A fragrance that Annick created for herself, to express her spiritual passion and love of life. Intense tuberose and jasmine from Grasse mingle with vanilla to create a warm, heady fragrance.

Grand Amour – “Grand Amour speaks of love, simply that. After all…love is everything.” A sensuous harmony of lily, honeysuckle and hyacinth. A fragrance that celebrates love and passion. A tribute to the greatest love of her life, her husband.

Eau du Sud – “Where time stands still..where day never ends.” Oils of Turkish bergamot and Chinese mandarin are mysteriously blended with fresh lemon, mint, and grapefruit to capture the flavor of citrus fruits ripened to perfection.

Men’s Fragrances

Vetiver – a compelling, spirited scent suggestive of the sea. With Vetiver from Java and rare woods and spices from Burma, Vetiver calls to mind images of the vast ocean and the shores of exotic lands. For the seafarer, sportsman and jetsetter.

Eau de Monsieur – a fragrance customed with the skill of a master tailer. Fresh tonic notes harmonize with the intense warmth of musk, oakmoss and sandalwood to create this cultivated classic that combines masculine sensuality with refined dignity.

Eau de Lavande – a blend of rare wild French lavender and vanilla – reminiscent of the French countryside. Eau d’ Hadrien and Hadrien Absolu – the same as that listed above – presented in a rectangular bottle. Hadrien Absolu is a more concentrated version of Eau d’Hadrien.

Eau du Sud – also the same as above – in a rectangular bottle.

Pour la Maison

Annick Goutal extends her collection of luxurious fragrances with Pour la Maison, a group of elegant home accessory items. Handcrafted in an antiqued golden patina with accents of ivory enamel , these items for bath and boudoir are perfect for the discerning collector and for gift-giving. Each piece is adorned with a signature motif , either ivy leaves or a golden butterfly, reflective of Goutal’s romantic fragrance packaging.

The collection includes: Purse Mirror, Oval Picture Frame, Rectangular Picture Frame (4″x6″), Oval Mirror Perfume Tray (16″x12″), Oval Mirror Perfume Tray (13″x9.5″), Soap Dish, Cotton Ball Jar, Bathroom Tumbler, Boudoir Clock, Pill Boxes and a Purse Atomizer.

There are also soap sets available in Eau d’Hadrien, Gardenia Passion, and Eau de Charlotte. Pefumed candles are available in Eau d’Hadrien, Eau de Charlotte, Passion, Fleur Blanches and Noel (seasonal).

Annick Goutal fragrances are available in Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Henri Bendel, Barney’s New York, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s or, for an exclusive store near you, call 1-800-775-ANNICK. Or call Denice Games, Nordstrom, Certified Fragrance Specialist and Business Manager for Fragrances – 1 (972) 702 – 0055 ext. 1412 – Voice mail ext. 1709.