French niche line Etat Libre d’Orange has launched Attaquer Le Soleil Marquis de Sade, a new fragrance.
To attack the sun, to drive it from the universe, to create perpetual darkness – what an outrageous proposition! But Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade, was an outrageous man. He took on many roles: writer, revolutionary, philosopher, libertine. He disdained the social norms and he demanded unrestrained freedom. He questioned every assumption about love, beauty, even violence, and he ignored the taboos. He wanted to attack the sun and ignite the world, liberate us from our preconceptions, break down the barriers which keep us from accepting our own desires. We identify with him, because we try to do the same.
[...] As a creator of perfume, how could I open my perspective, imagine beyond my limitations? A very personal question. The cistus! One of my paradoxes. One of my gray areas.I have always recoiled from the cistus, I’ve avoided it or hidden it under thick layers of vanilla and amber as a way of escaping it. This is why I have made myself confront a radical formula: the cistus, exposed, and in all its states.
My dear Marquis: here’s to your suns, to our volcanoes! — Quentin Bisch, perfumer
Etat Libre d'Orange Attaquer Le Soleil Marquis de Sade is available now on the brand website, €125 for 100 ml.
(via etatlibredorange)
Hmmm… It can’t be as bad as Secretions Magnifique…
What could?
I like Quentin Bisch….he’s the fella in the BBC documentary a few years back, and he’s the nose behind Angel Muse. I like Cistus! I’ll have to seek out a sample…..
I like him too, and it’s an odd thing to work with your least favorite note, but could be interesting.
Love the name, the copy is, well just perfume copy.
I keep liking ELDO despite their ad copy.
Dear ELO,
While your work scheme is well-meaning, please send the marketing department back to high school.
Signed,
Perfume-Wearing Grownups
I like cistus, hopefully I can get a sniff some day.
When he says cistus, do you suppose he means a floral note from the flower also known as rockrose or a balsam from the leaves also known as labdanum? Because I’m really confused.
I think he means labdanum.
So tired of perfume companies lauding the memory of this horrible person.
I find myself mildly surprised ELd’O haven’t done a Marquis de Sade themed perfume already….
Despite the copy there are some great perfumes in their line up and I’m interested in sampling this one – as you say – to work with a note you’re not drawn to hints at an intellectual effort which might pay dividends.