Chanel has introduced Beige, the latest edition to the Les Exclusifs collection. Like the others in the series, it was developed by Chanel house perfumer Jacques Polge, and will be in limited distribution.
"I take refuge in beige because it's natural," said Mademoiselle Chanel. Sandy beige, honey beige, clay beige, whitish beige… She loved all shades of this colour, which evokes natural elegance and grace. An elusive colour with infinite variations, beige may seem quite ordinary. And yet, behind this apparent simplicity, it hides a discreet sensuality that builds slowly before revealing itself fully. This sensual outburst is interpreted by Jacques Polge through a bouquet of hawthorn, freesia and frangipani, with shimmering hints of honey. A stunning blend of white petals and yellow gold…
In other words, a breath of Beige.
Chanel Beige is available in 200 ml for $190, concentration unknown (although I assume it is Eau de Toilette like the others in the collection). It is currently exclusive to the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship in New York City, where they've recently renovated the fragrance and beauty counter:
Inspired by the codes of the House of CHANEL, the contemporary 850 sq. foot counter draws clients into the world of CHANEL with dedicated areas for fragrance, makeup and skincare. The fragrance area invites customers into the world of CHANEL fragrance heritage with the debut of the patented Olfactive Bar designed by CHANEL deputy perfumer Christopher Sheldrake. Utilizing a new patented ceramic blotter system, the table houses the 43 fragrance concentrates encompassing the entire range of CHANEL perfumery. An on-site fragrance expert will offer clients an interactive olfactive journey through the house’s extensive fragrance offerings. An illuminated manuscript, the pages of which turn via a motion detecting sensor, will showcase the history of CHANEL fragrance, from historical images of Coco Chanel to the house’s renowned master perfumers.
(via press release) Update: see a review of Chanel Beige.
Man, oh man, I want to go there RIGHT NOW. Definitely a must-visit over Sniffa weekend for me.
It really sounds like a fun place to go play….if you get there, let me know how it is!
Oh gosh, that sounds like such a fun time. But I'm not so sure about the fragrance…hearing “hawthorne” and “honey” immediatley brings to mind vile recollections of Miel de Bois. I can't in my wildest dreams imagine Chanel releasing something even close to Miel de Bois, but…well….this is one I'd like to sniff, but very VERY cautiously.
There's a review up already at Perfume Smellin' Things…it sounds nothing like Miel de Bois at all
Although it's the opposite of what'd I normally wear, I'd love to smell this, just to see what it's like.
And yes, I'd have way too much fun at this Saks sniffing and playing with makeup…… I'd probably spend way too much $$!
I do love fragrances with honey notes in it, I am not too pleased with frangipani or “flower petals” though. I do agree that beige is an elegant and natural, or elegant in a natural way. I'll give this one a try if I have a chance.
But I appreciate that much of what they're doing at the “olfactive bar” isn't for sale, you know? I mean, obviously it's to sell the Chanel line, but they're letting you smell components & whatnot. I like that.
Happily for me I love frangipani, and hawthorn. Freesia I like in person, not always in perfume. We'll see!
Me too, Robin. I like fragiapani and hawthorne, but freesia can be tricky. I am looking forward to testing it though. Will have to wait for it to hit a store in California though…unless TPC gets my $ first.
There are so many fall fragrance releases I am looking forward to trying. :~)
Sounds like a pretty fragrance, but I predict that the name will deter some people. Am I the only one who said to herself, “What were they thinking?!'
I think a perfume celebrating beige is a fine idea. I remember LT calling Sensi a pair of beige trousers, which I like, but I fancy these ones will be “a cut above”!…I can sometimes be a bit leery of frangipani depending on the volume – Chantecaille's was too much for me, but am having fun discovering perfumes with a freesia note thanks to The Perfumed Court – my latest fave being Tous Touch. It is also nice in OJ Sampaquita, CdG Leaves series Lily, and even features in Roja Dove's Scandal – though you would never know it against such a sumptuous backdrop. Yes, I am on a freesia kick at the moment and will have to try this one. Oh, and I liked the thought of “freesia in person” – speaking as someone who talks to plants! Had a quick google to see what stems are actually made of and came up with the alternative of “freesia in pith and vascular bundles”, but think I prefer “person”.
I know what you mean about the name, but I am such a fan of creams and beiges for clothes, that if a perfume was called “ecru” or “taupe” or “camel” – well, maybe not “camel”, as I would think we were off to Tauer's Morocco again – let's say “capuccino” or “mocca” or “pebble” or “fudge” or even “sludge”, I would be intrigued. I would think that that is going to be as wearable as the paint or the trouser suit!
Does this Not sound LOVELY! For some reason i hear Hawthorne and IMMEDIATELY Smell Fahrenheit By Dior in my head! But Frangipani, Freesia, Honey??? SCRUMPTIOUS! and knowing Polge it's done very, very right and the balance is probably Brilliant! I so, SO Love all Chanel Fragrances (although is it just me that does not even remotely GET Chance by Chanel at all? It smells so SYNTHETIC! Plasticy! have never liked it!) but this seems to be completely on another Plane than Chance, so i hope it is available in some other place than NY Saks! Take Care All!
Divinemama, I don't know how long it's exclusive to Saks, but guessing TPC is going to sell tons of Beige!
Oh my, I prefer “person” too!
Did you try Diptyque Ofresia? Worth a shot!
H, I think it is also the name of an older Chanel fragrance — they might have wanted to use it for that reason? Also, given that they're not trying to mass market it, the name might frankly not matter so much.
And I immediately smell Apres L'Ondee
It will eventually be elsewhere, but don't know how long Saks has the exclusive.
No, but it can go on the list along with Beige! : – )
That's interesting (that it was the name of an older fragrance). Maybe it won't matter, but beige is such a dull color and concept to me and I can't imagine that I'm alone. Having read the description of the fragrance, I would definitely try it, but if I just saw it at the store I wouldn't be interested. Do any of the rest of you have this issue? I need to learn to get past names (and bottles) that I don't like. My problem, I know!
I think the name comes across as positively daring precisely because it is such a dull word!
Haunani, I know exactly what you mean, but it's in the Les Exclusifs collection so don't think it matters…that lends it “automatic” cachet, and would guess that most of the customers for the Exclusifs are not casual shoppers.
I think they told me 4 weeks when I was there, but she said the Saks NY store, so who knows.
Thanks!
Gee, I never thought I would live to see the day beige came back into fashion… and lo, here it is! And wow, these Les Exclusifs are really pouring out of Chanel!
It will be interesting to see how big the line gets, no? Not sure they need to do 2 a year, but gosh, everyone else is doing more than that.
I have just tried it and it is gorgeous – quite a strong sweet opening, but in an elegant, refined way, whiich in itself is an interesting combination, and the drydown in stunning. Whisper soft, silky – like an unrumpled satin teddy, to slightly adapt Angela's description of Rochas Femme. Oh boy, this is love! My near anosmic partner (his goodwill admittedly fuelled by the fact that this morning I fixed his SatNav, ironed him a shirt, found him some bubble bath and set him up an email account), actually said he “quite liked it”, before quickly getting a grip and downgrading this compliment to: “I mean it is inoffensive”. Trust me, guys, this is a HUGE accolade. Not unlike his comment on La Pausa, if any of you recall, which was that it was “not like fly spray”. Go get it! The BN community has renamed this one “Sable Blond” by the way – much more refined!
I have given it 2 quick tries, but still haven't made up my mind. Very elegant, in any case.
But will he like it so well if you don't iron his shirts, LOL?
Between you and me, without the shirt ironing favours, I would put money on Beige reverting to the default designation of “smells of craft shop”…where it will be in very good company. For yesterday (a normal day where I had only made dinner and processed the laundry), my scents of the day Heure Bleue and Attrape-Coeur were metaphorically tossed on to the “craft shop” scrap heap. It is heartbreaking really.
LOL — those are awfully expensive for “craft shop”!
His view exactly!
Late news…tonight my other half tested Jardins de Bagatelle and his waggish verdict was: “Why, that smells like the garden at the back of the craft shop!”
Ha!