Shoe-master extraordinaire and red sole visionary, Christian Louboutin has finally branched out into the fragrance world, and in true Louboutin style he hasn't done things by halves. Rather than keeping things simple and launching just one scent, there are three completely unique creations in the debut collection – meaning there's a very good chance that at least one of them will take your fancy and entice you enough to cough up for the £215 price tag.
Far from wallflower, wispy wonders, these are perfumes that pack a punch. 'I want you to experience the fragrance in the same way as you experience a piano note being played. So there is the 'ping', the first burst of the scent like the striking of the piano key, followed by a beautiful resonance as the note echoes its sound. There is one present moment, and then there is the trace, le sillage, I think of it as its memory,' explains Christian.
Piano metaphors are all well and good (especially when phrased so poetically so) but what do they smell like? There's Bikini Questra Sera, which is a rich and creamy interpretation of amber; Trouble in Heaven which is a musky, sexy blend of patchouli and tonka absolut, and finally, Tornade Blonde – a rose based scent personalised with cassis and sweet violet.
Naturally such expertly crafted scents require equally fancy packaging to show them off, which is why Christian brought Thomas Heatherwick, master architect and the man behind the 2012 London Olympic Games Cauldron, on board. 'I feel strongly that when you collaborate with someone whose work you admire, it's important to give them complete freedom. This will allow the best work to be created,' explains Christian. We couldn't agree more.
