Balenciaga has launched a collection of ten fragrances, including Le Dix (originally introduced in 1947; the original flacon has been reproduced for this collection) and nine new scents: 100%, Cristóbal, Extra, Getaria, Incense Perfumum, Muscara, No Comment, To Be Confirmed and Twenty Four Seven.
Le Dix ~ "A reverential reconstruction of M. Balenciaga’s 1947 icon, the House’s first perfume, Le Dix is an olfactory time capsule. Its name, meaning “The 10” in French, refers to 10 Avenue George V, the historical address of the original Balenciaga Couture salon, ateliers, and perfume store in Paris, where the House’s couture shows are still held today. Revitalized by blending precious iris absolute with innovative isolated iris aldehydes. Exuding elegance and grace, enhanced by violet leaf absolute and incense essential oils."
100% ~ "Unapologetically maximal, 100% revels in the timeless tension between beauty and fragility, leaving behind a lingering sillage of audacious glamour. 100% orchestrates an operatic floral performance built on a lavish core of Rosa Damascena essences."
Cristóbal ~ "Inspired by the House’s founder, Cristóbal is enigmatic and understated, yet radiates gravitas, evoking the duality of M. Balenciaga. It is a tribute to the founder’s name, the most treasured name of the House, realized through one of the most precious ingredients in perfumery, oud oil. It layers the preciousness of real Assafi oud essence with a sensual double-thread weaving of glowing patchouli and oak moss."
Extra ~ "Extra is a vibrant phoenix of flamboyant impressions, unfolding like a spark of eternity, embodying a dynamic personality that blends extraordinary myths and the irreverence of reality. Extra ignites the senses with an invigorating electric crackle combined with effervescent pink pepper and heated black pepper oil."
Getaria ~ "A transportive fragrance inspired by Cristóbal Balenciaga’s coastal Spanish birthplace, Getaria clashes the scorching heat of a high-summer sun with a cool, neo-marine edge in a masterful olfactory trompe-l’œil. Salty citrus and pink pepper evoke the refreshing tang of an ocean breeze, while overheated, crystallized seaweed absolute from France delivers the unexpected ambery essence of glistening seaside vistas."
Incense Perfumum ~ "Incense Perfumum transcends time, with a message carried in incense smoke. Its jet-black hue is an ode to the color that remained integral to M. Balenciaga throughout his career, offering an unobtrusive canvas for his explorations of contrasting forms, structure, and volume. A time-aged fragrance, it channels sacred perfumery through a trio of transcendental incense oils, with cedarwood and Spanish labdanum resin lending ambery warmth a crystalline clarity."
Muscara ~ "Sultry and primal like a bold kohl-lined stare, an alluringly chemical edge sets Muscara apart in its primality: a striking composition that exudes the polished sheen of glossy lacquer. Muscara melds the warmth of South American ambrette seed absolute with a slick iris accord."
No Comment ~ "No Comment stands as an unspoken statement, a tribute to the power of silence, a reflection of fragrance’s ability to forge an unquestionable attitude. No Comment exudes quiet confidence, fusing a rough-cut, resinous woody note with the pine-needle freshness of Spanish cypress oil."
To Be Confirmed ~ "A kaleidoscope of transparent flowers and the allure of the unfinished, To Be Confirmed evokes the time-lapse of a blooming flower, capturing a moment of actualization. Its facets remain crystallized yet elusive, lingering just beyond perception, celebrating the intrigue of ambiguity. An exclusive kimono tulip accord, crafted from night-blooming flower extracts, strikes a note inspired by steamed Silverneedle tea."
Twenty Four Seven ~ "An oasis of tranquility, Twenty Four Seven envelops the wearer in a vanillic-woody cocoon. A scent for every hour, that distorts time, disconnecting from the fast pace of life and reconnecting to the inner self. A maximalist synthesis of rich, irresistible vanilla absolute, intensified by the blazing power of a combination of amber and incandescent musks."
Balenciaga 100%, Cristóbal, Extra, Getaria, Incense Perfumum, Muscara, No Comment, To Be Confirmed and Twenty Four Seven are available in refillable 15 ($70) and 100 ($320) ml Parfum. A 200 ml refill is $275; a set of ten 2 ml samples is $70; a set of ten 10 ml miniatures is $395.
(via balenciaga)
I was tempted to get the discovery set, but exercised a modicum of self-control!
I am tempted by none of it, happily!
Why did they use the Chanel bottle??
They say they copied the original Le Dix bottle from 1947.
Yeah, the original late-forties ad shows that squared-off bottle (although the stopper is different). It’s possible that they had trouble getting bottles post-war, and had to use a plain apothecary-style bottle: I believe the fluted bottle we associate with Le Dix was introduced in the early fifties.
No Comment, indeed.