Les Parfums Suspendus is a new French niche line inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon:
Once upon a time, in Babylon, there were some extraordinary gardens …
Out of passionate love, King Nebuchadnezzar II (604-562 B.C.) wanted to create some wonderful gardens to dazzle Queen Amyitis with their surprising luxuriance and scents.
Trees and flowers were brought from the 4 corners of the earth, creating rare, unusual combinations of scents with every wind and blossoming.
So that these scents could be exhaled to perfection, he had the idea of bringing the gardens closer to the sky.
“Les Parfums Suspendus” (The Hanging Perfumes) re-interpret some of these luxuriant, imaginary perfumes in their own way.
There are five fragrances in the collection: Crumpled Lily of the Valley & Poppy, Himalayan Touch-Me-Not & Rose, Flame Tree & Petitgrain, Amber Tonka & Edelweiss and Purple Orchid & Heady Musk.
Muguet Froissé & Coquelicot / Crumpled Lily of the Valley & Poppy (shown above left) ~ "It murmurs a breath of pure spring air and armfuls of white flowers punctuated with strong and fragile corolla. A fresh perfume, with a cheerful, romantic, sophisticated fragrance." With notes of lily of the valley, violet, bergamot, orange, jasmine, white cedar and musk.
Impatiente Royale de L’Himalaya & Rose / Himalayan Touch-Me-Not & Rose ~ "Les Parfums Suspendus re-interpret the olfactory world of the Rose, giving it a touch of sweetness to make it surprising. Himalayan Royal touch me not has been selected for its high imaginative content." Featuring yuzu, clementine, rose, violet, sandalwood, patchouli and white musk.
Flamboyant & Petitgrain / Flame Tree & Petitgrain ~ "The Flame Tree is an extraordinary tree from the tropical regions. When it blossoms, it takes on a vivid red or yellow colour, depending on the species. The Petitgrain conjures up citrus fruit combinations: oranges, lemons, grapefruit, apricots..." Additional notes include tea, jasmine, peony, cardamom, white cedar and musk.
Tonka Ambrée & Edelweiss / Amber Tonka & Edelweiss ~ "Tonka is a bean that reminds us of exotic, hot countries. Edelweiss is a flower found in the high mountains. It expresses rarity, freshness and elegance. Amber Tonka & Edelweiss is a warm, delicious perfume. A combination of chocolate and liquorice interpreted with density and freshness." Additional notes include star anise, jasmine, rose, iris, vanilla, sandalwood and musk.
Orchidée Pourpre & Musc Capiteux / Purple Orchid & Heady Musk ~ "It speaks to of magnetism, Long-lasting, bewitching fragrances and an explosion of the senses. The Purple Orchid is the most sensual of flowers, adding a world of sophistication and mystery. Musk adds exuberance and sensuality." With notes of bergamot, orange, lemon, patchouli, musk, vanilla and cinnamon.
The Les Parfums Suspendus fragrances are available in 100 ml Eau de Toilette. (via lesparfumssuspendus, additional information via press release, with many thanks to Euphemia for the tip)
Wow! Now that’s high concept…don’t see Nebuchadnezzar invoked a lot these days. these were so interesing I looked at the website, but there’s no info on the creator. Any idea,R?
The line is from Marc Gignoux — he has a company called New Barbers that makes a few scents for men, and I believe he was formerly with L’Oreal and L’Occitane. But no idea who the perfumer(s) are, if that’s what you were asking.
For some reason I really like this concept and I’d love to sample some (although more likely they’ll soon fall off my radar). I’ll be curious to see the price point of these, and that info really isn’t available on their site.
I don’t think they’re even in stores yet…at least, have not seen them for sale online anywhere.
I emailed and asked them to add me if they have an email mailing list. I also looked around at New Barbers and I’m curious about their Grapefruit Ginger scent.
I think the New Barbers things are only sold at barber shops? But not sure — had never heard of them before seeing this new line.
Are you considering breaking your 100ml rule?
Ha! I don’t have a hard-and-fast 100ml rule… but unless these are cheap (and I’m betting they aren’t), I’m not past a decant or split.
It sounds pretentious and a little silly to me, although I do think day 3 of this stomach virus might be affecting my mood. Nonetheless, several of them sound right up my alley…adding them to the ever-growing list.
aww sorry to hear you have had a stomach virus, what a yucky way to spend 3 days—-and I can’t imagine much of anything sounds like it’s gonna smell good right now.
Daisy, oddly it does, lol. For whatever reason, there’s been no queasiness involved with this virus…makes it all the harder not to eat, but at least smells aren’t putting me off.
Oh dear, get better soon!
“Himalayan Royal touch me not has been selected for its high imaginative content.”
Huh? lol
apparently a new rose scent is highly imaginative…
That cracked me up too. Might be a translation issue.
okay…I know it says “Suspendus” I can read after all , but I keep hearing in my head “stupendous” ….
Could be worse…could be suspenders.
LOL yeah, and then if they put some cumin in it —“dirty suspenders”! acckk!
I love the concept, but I wonder if the perfumes they’re as pretty as they sound. It got me curious though
Me too!
Very nice idea, but without the description no one would have guessed the inspiration. Some more luxuriant colours and bottle, and why not naming the perfumes Semiramis or Nabuchadnezzar?
Edelweiss? For me it’s the symbol of non-smell, the pure and cold mountain air in the heights. Tonka and liquorice on edelweiss is lyke caramel on green salad.
It’s true, the perfumes do not really sound consistent w/ the Hanging Gardens inspiration. Oh well!
OK, some of the combinations sound interesting to me, but I agree with those who would improve on the fragrance names. I hope those of you who are checking into these will keep us posted.
I think I could get along nicely with most of these and the concept is, if nothing else, inventive. I just… these names are so long. Throw in the long, nearly-stupendous house name and you might well need to take a few breaths while saying it.
The names aren’t so very long if you stick with one language or the other though…I posted in both French & English.
I dunno. Someone stops you for the amazing scent you’re wearing and you have to say, “Oh this? It’s Crushed Lily-of-the-Valley and Poppy from Les Parfums Suspendus!” I just think there could be a better way to do this.
LOL…still say there are worse names out there, but ok.
I’m intrigued by the Flame Tree & Pettigrain; I think I’ll join Joe in emailing them.
Maybe you’ll snag samples then!
I grew up in “tropical regions” and I don’t remember flame tree flowers ever having much of a smell… but then again we mostly avoided them because they always seemed to be crawling with ants.
For a Hanging Gardens of Babylon concept that name-checks Nebuchadnezzar (lol), I sure wish there’d be more of the, uh, garden, or of “Babylon” — some earthiness, or incense maybe.
Yep!