Guerlain has unveiled a series of high-profile fragrance launches in global travel retail this September. The line-up spans new releases and refreshed versions of classic Guerlain fragrances.
These include a honey-infused interpretation of La Petite Robe Noire, the centenary celebration of Shalimar, a new vetiver scent within the L’Art & La Matière line and the latest addition to the Aqua Allegoria universe. All the fragrances were crafted by Guerlain Director of Perfume Creation & Perfumer Delphine Jelk.
100 years of Shalimar
Guerlain is marking the centenary of Shalimar with the release of Shalimar L’Essence. Shalimar was created by Jacques Guerlain in 1925 and recognised as the world’s first amber fragrance.
L’Essence pays tribute to the fragrance’s legacy while reinterpreting it as a contemporary scent. Vanilla is at the heart of L’Essence – the key note of the original Shalimar – reimagined through the use of Madagascan vanilla tincture alongside ethylvanillin from the original formula. It is available in 30ml (€86), 50ml (€120) and 90ml (€158) formats.
To celebrate the fragrance’s 100th anniversary, Guerlain has unveiled a global campaign that honours the women who have worn Shalimar across generations.
Fronted by long-time muse Natalia Vodianova, the campaign film presents a vibrant portrayal of femininity across ages and cultures. By placing its long-time Brand Ambassadors at the heart of the narrative, Guerlain reaffirms the emotional legacy of Shalimar, while ensuring its continued relevance.
La Petite Robe Noire Honey Rose
Guerlain has launched the limited-edition La Petite Robe Noire Honey Rose. The fragrance blends the Maison’s signature rose ingredient with an exclusive honey extract and is available in 30ml (€83) and 50ml (€116) formats.
It is centred on two raw materials sourced from Le Mas des Sources estate in Grasse. The first is a Centifolia rose absolute, the second is a honey extract with rosy inflections, harvested by bees from hives placed on the property.
Together, the rose and honey duo create a luminous fragrance, enhanced by gourmand almond notes and the signature trail of La Petite Robe Noire.
The Maison’s partnership with Le Mas des Sources not only supports organic cultivation but also integrates beekeeping and conservation. With Honey Rose, the brand strengthens the fragrance’s ties to its bee conservation initiatives, which form a key pillar of its corporate sustainability strategy. Guerlain has funded five hives at the estate since 2023, enabling honey to be transformed into perfumery ingredients.
The bottle design showcases the honey-coloured liquid and incorporates 15% recycled glass, while the cap is made with at least 70% bio-based material.
L’Art & La Matière welcomes Vetiver Fauve
Guerlain has expanded the L’Art & La Matière collection with the introduction of Vétiver Fauve, an eau de parfum inspired by scents of the jungle and the tales of Rudyard Kipling. The fragrance reinterprets vetiver; a raw material deeply rooted in the Maison’s olfactory heritage.
While vetiver is traditionally associated with darker, drier tones, Jelk has reinterpreted the ingredient with a fresh twist. The fragrance opens with a tropical green accord, before evolving into fruity notes of fig and sun-soaked pineapple and a base of tonka bean and cypriol, creating a fresh yet woody trail.
Vétiver Fauve is housed in La Matière’s signature octagonal bottle. It can be customised with a silver-toned metal plate, featuring delicately hammered motifs inspired by water droplets.
Vétiver Fauve is available in 50ml (€235), 100ml (€325) and 200ml (€465) formats, alongside a 200ml collector’s case (€475).
Absolus Allegoria Florabloom
Adding further depth to its portfolio, Guerlain is introducing Absolus Allegoria Florabloom, the latest addition to the Aqua Allegoria collection. The fragrance takes inspiration from the rare nocturnal ‘superbloom’ in the Atacama Desert, where flowers spring up under the moonlight.
The scent is described as a nocturnal bouquet and is centred on a ‘Four O’clock Flower’ accord created by Jelk. This is combined with tuberose, mango, sandalwood, patchouli, rose, ylang-ylang and frankincense notes.
Describing the fragrance, Jelk said: “Florabloom Absolu is a spellbinding nocturnal bouquet, in which tuberose becomes more sensual and bewitching than ever.”
With more than 90% naturally derived ingredients and packaged in the collection’s eco-designed bottle made with 15% recycled glass, Florabloom Absolu underscores the Maison’s sustainability commitments while extending the Allegoria universe. ✈
