The END is near for the CHANEL house as we know it today. The business is too big (the Bubble No5), those who rule it are too old. There is no successor, the perfumers have a respectable age, à la retraite. It is not only EU that challenges the future of the house.
A perfume lover should think about future scents when nothing can stop the inevitable fact - EU wants to stop No5. Mourning is futile, action is useless. Can 80% of my readers from US do something against a EU decision? I doubt. Consumers have no power, the industry had no interest.
There are several tactics you could consider if this amazing perfume is among your beloved scents. It's better to change it before the end is near, otherwise you will suffer like other did when they noticed how their perfume was reformulated in the past 5 years.
1) Buy several perfume extracts, the pure perfume version. The EDT has been slightly altered recently and has a very poor tenacity, but the pure perfume version of Chanel No5, as it is sold today in Paris, is very good. Of course, it is not the original Beaux formula, it lacks many original ingredients, but is magnificent and addictive with that sublime ylang-ylang overdose, suddenly underlined by the Bulgarian rose.
2) Buy Chanel No5 vintage on e-bay. Because Chanel was number one for so many years, there are many bottles around the world and you will find enough supplies for a couple of years until it will be available somewhere else in the world.
3) Iris Poudre (Frederic Malle) - this is one of the best perfumes ever, it is inspired by No5, but it is no way a copy or a close interpretation. It captures its spirit, the smoothness and the amazing orris powdery touch. The perfumer captured the high quality of the perfume, the luxurious touch lost by mainstream creations.
4) Liu and Vega (Guerlain) - If you never used Liu, it is time to buy the entire stock from Guerlain and search for the limited Baccarat black bottle version. With its huge sandalwood (another forbidden ingredient) and pure jasmine, the perfume inspired by Puccini's opera is a masterpiece. I can't live without it since the day I discovered its essence. The original Vega bottle is my favorite, I hope to find one this year.
5) Infusion d'Iris Absolue - Prada - Quite different from the first Infusion d'Iris, this amazing perfume is Chanel No5 of 2012 - modern, chic, quintessential, futuristic - it has the abstract touch of the original Beaux creation set in our world. Made by a woman for women.
6) Opardu (Puredistance) - how else could I describe this perfume than a Beaux Idéal? With orris and green notes (but no as green as Antonia), this is one of the best creations from Firmenich. It needs only a sweet ylang bouquet to "chanelize" it. I will review it because it's sublime.
7) The anniversary perfume of Francis Kurkdjian - an instant coup de foudre for me, but it is available only in Paris and comes in the special white leather coffret. The most luxurious secret scent, custom made with that sensual "quelque chose" Francis is famous for.
8) Layer Dior Homme with a modern rose-jasmine perfume and several drops of Ylang. There are some essences made by Pierre Guillaume. Making your own perfume, searching for the original No5 essence is the MUST. Today, women love to explore, to have their own wardrobe of perfumes and mix their essences. For instance, you can buy several natural essences (may rose, jasmine, orris, etc). You will put each of them in a rich neutral natural body butter and you will layer natural body cream with the perfume. If Chanel No5 is forbidden in EU, women will remake it for themselves. Remember, Cleopatra was famous for her nose!
The news about the future EU ban on Chanel No5 ingredients comes right in time. Because it's Christmas and often people buy perfumes, it is maybe the time to think twice and invest in quality. It is also the chance to make a tour and try many perfumes, searching for the "No5" effect. This way, you will be ready when there will be no more Chanel as we know it today.
The end of French perfume starts in July 2013.
The end of French perfume starts in July 2013.
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Fragrance is the 8th Art - Octavian Coifan - Le Parfum est le 8ème Art
