They decided to adapt a grand aldehyde floral on which Malle had been working with perfumer Dominique Ropion. Chanel No 5 gets its lively, polished quality from an aldehyde (a type of organic compound) that was synthesised in the early 20th century, and Malle and Ropion wanted to revisit the ingredient in a modern, original version. Yet Ropion’s incarnation was deemed “too perfect” by Elbaz, who asked for it to be “a little bit more punk”.
— Alber Elbaz par Frédéric Malle Superstitious launches this week. Read more at Alber Elbaz and Frédéric Malle: when fashion meets fragrance at Financial Times.
Alas, the full article is behind a paywall. I’ll try it later from work.
Weird, because I do not have a subscription! Might be that I was able to see it because I found it via search…try searching on a bit of the quote above, that often works.
A… punk aldehyde? I’m perplexed and intrigued.
I am reading that as “less ladylike”, but I’m just guessing 🙂