Every year since 2010, the famous Grasse-based perfume house Fragonard releases a “Flower of the Year Perfume.” We’ve had, among others, jasmine, violets, and mimosa. My favourites have been lavender and magnolia. This year, lilac is the flower of choice. They don’t last long on the shelves as they’re limited editions, so get in quick if you fall in love with one.
I make it a ritual to try them each year. This year, I was particularly interested in sampling how Fragonard handled one of my favourite flowers, the lilac. I imagine lilacs as delicate and spring-like, so I was surprised to see Aurélien Guichard’s name down as the perfumer. He’s the perfumer behind Matiere Premiere, a brand known for its bombastic offerings. Of course, he can modify his manner and style, but his recent offerings gave me cause for concern.
There was no need for concern—Guichard comes through with the goods! Lilas is indeed delicate and suggestive of the onset of spring. The lilac in Lilas has a powdery, creamy element but retains its trademark freshness and softness. It doesn’t become too cloying or smothering like some of his work for Matiere Premiere. Guichard uses linden blossom, hawthorn, and heliotrope to extend the honeyed almond tones of Lilas. It’s quite green and almond-like through to its base notes.
Lilac gets a bit of a bad rap due to its associations with cleaning products/functional fragrances. So it’s a divisive note. But I love many lilac fragrances. Lilas ranks up there. Crucially, it never makes me think of baby wipes or cleaning products. Compared to other lilac scents, it’s a bit less ozonic than Malle’s famous En Passant and less like body lotion than Issey Miyake’s brilliant A Drop d’Issey. Still, Lilas will make you think of these perfumes. Lilas unveils sweeter and muskier facets in its dry down courtesy of the combination of violets, vanilla, and musk. Indeed, for the price of $59AUD, 22 Euros, 22 pounds, and 37 USD for 50ml, it’s worth a try.
Have you tried Lilas? Do you have a favourite Fragonard or lilac perfume?
Note: All images are my own except the bottle image of Lilas, which comes courtesy of Fragonard. I obtained the sample of Lilas.
Here are some more pink/lilac/purple plants that give me Lilas vibes.
