Poésie de Chine, this year's "Eaux d'Orient" limited edition versions of Opium and Opium pour Homme from Yves Saint Laurent, will launch this month. The bottles are decorated with verses from the ancient Chinese Book of Odes.
Opium Eau d'Orient Poésie de Chine for women features notes of mandarin, chinotto (citrus), ginger, jasmine, magnolia, patchouli, musk, myrrh and vanilla.
Opium pour Homme Eau d'Orient Poésie de Chine includes grapefruit, bergamot, star anise, nutmeg, white pepper, ginger, vetiver, sandalwood and amber.
Both of the Opium Poésie de Chine Eau d'Orient fragrances will be available in 100 ml Eau de Toilette. (via cosmoty.de)
More Yves Saint Laurent Opium Eaux d'Orient: Opium Fleur de Shanghai (2005), Opium Eau d'Orient Fleur Impériale for women & Opium Eau d'Orient pour Homme (2006), Opium Orchidee de Chine Eau d'Orient & Opium Pour Homme Eau d'Orient (2007).
Other recent launches from Yves Saint Laurent: Paris Pont des Amours.
BTW: Chinotto is a very bitter and sour type of orange which is used in italian aperitives and soft drinks.
Thanks!
Flanker names get a little ridiculous with how long they are, no?
Still, both of these sound fabulous. I'm really curious about the chinotto in the women's version.
I had the original Opium Parfum and Opium Eau de Parfum and those were so good that I systematically refuse to give the stuff that came after that, any try. Call me a snob, I don't mind but at least I know what the real thing was about..
Molly, it is so true — but I guess they're stuck w/ the Eau d'Orient theme. They do sound nice, and the bottles are gorgeous.
I'm not a huge Opium fan, and for that matter, haven't loved the flankers so far. I just want the pretty bottles 🙂
Yeah, good point, they are stuck… Shouldn't typical orientals be heavy, resinous perfumes instead of a light Eau? I don't mind lighter versions of orientals generally, I love Habit Rouge EdT Légère for example. But I would be curious for a change to smell an “Opium Intense”-version. Guess it's cheaper to do all those “Eaux”…
Nice, I am looking forwar for the new one pour homme.
thanks for the news
Gosh, am I the only one who isn't very taken with the bottles? To me, they look like men's deodorant! Worse, the men's version reminds me of Armani Code. Still, I've adored the bottles for the previous summer versions, but haven't been inspired by the juice – perhaps this one will be the opposite?
LOL — sorry, I'm taken with them, although I can see both the deodorant and the Armani Code references!
Lars, see your point, but Opium is too strong for current tastes as it is , right? So an Intense maybe not likely 😉
Lars, maybe a newer version of Opium with incense, instead of a 'watery' version.
I am with you Vanillagirl, I don't like them either and the blue versus red seems so bland and oldfashioned. What happened to the black and goldcoloured details?
Yes for deodorant they are appropriate.
Oh yes, incense, please! Or a slightly leathery accord? But I guess Robin's right, it's not the right time for old school orientals…
BTW, I also find the flacons look cheap in the pic. Like something by Yves Rocher…
I don't think I could explain why, but I think the blue is stunning, way more so than the red. But haven't seen them in person, and perhaps they do look cheap on the counter.
I thought the bottles were very striking, at first, until I realized that the men's version, in particular, actually looks quite a lot like like the Issey Miyake Eau Bleue bottle with a bit of that trendy shading.
I'm also a little surprised that the men's version of this stuff has no vanilla at all, since the original was pretty much a vanilla scent (albeit a very strong, spicy one), but I suppose a flanker doesn't really have to have anything in common with its predecessor except a name.
I wouldn't assume there is no vanilla just because it isn't listed — these lists are never complete. But, haven't smelled it so no idea 🙂
Read a horrible rumor on basenotes that these won't be released in the States at all! Please tell me it isn't true, Robin!
It’s here if you are still looking…..Marshall’s..great price.
I can't tell you either way…I know nothing, sorry! But even if it is never officially released here, I'll be surprised if it doesn't at least show up at the discounters.
Hmm, good point. I'll let you know if my email to YSL Beauty turns up anything definitive.
Thank you for your help – love the blog and love how helpful you always are!
Thanks so much! And do let me know if you hear anything, there seem to be lots of people waiting to buy these.
Bad news, Robin. The response from YSL Beauty was that this edition will not be available in the States at all. Did the previous LE's not sell well?
Guess it's watching the discounters for this one…boo!
You know, when you look at how the dollar has plummeted, it is surprising that any companies export fragrance to the US these days. I can't see how it is worth the bother, esp. for limited editions. Asia is the important market now, not the US.
Dries down nicely…here in the states at Marshall”s for $39.99…worth it kids.
Good to know, thanks!
I just got a brand spanking new bottle of this, cello wrapped and all for $19.99 plus $12 for shipping on eBay.
Great deal, congrats!