Chanel introduces three new gender-neutral fragrances inspired by travel
And it’s nothing like what you know and thought of Chanel scents.
Unisex fragrances aren’t exactly new. However, the latest addition to the universe of gender-neutral scents might come as a surprise.
Known for its iconic female perfumes like the Chanel No. 5, Chanel has expanded its fragrance line to include three new unisex fragrances called the Les Eaux des Chanel.
They’re nothing like its predecessors. Designed by Chanel’s in-house perfumer Olivier Polge, the scents are light, citrusy and encased in a minimalist bottle inspired by a flask – a far cry from the notes and aesthetic of the Chanel No. 5, for one. These refreshing notes are, in fact, typical of colognes.
Even its fragrance launch is different; unlike its earlier scents, there’s no face attached to the launch. Instead, the beautifully-shot campaign is accompanied by a 3-part video series produced by Chanel, exploring the inspiration behind the scents.
Not created for any gender, the fragrances are each named after a significant destination in Coco Chanel’s life: Venice, Biarritz, and the beach town of Deauville where she opened her very first boutique in 1913. There’s Deauville (a fresh scent), Biarritz (the most cologne-like of the lot) and Venise (arguably the most traditionally feminine scent).
The Les Eaux scents are bright, light, and easy-to-wear – and remarkedly gender-neutral, despite its cologne notes in the Biarritz and the powdery scents in Venice. “There is something very elegant to their simplicity,” he adds – a simplicity that extends to the bottles and packaging as well.
Polge acknowledges that the scents are a departure from what people have come to understand of the quintessential Chanel fragrance. In an interview with Elle UK, he shares, “We often have at Chanel scents that are quite rich. We are often working with a lot of flowers.”
Still, it all stays true to the brand’s heritage. “But there is something also always about freshness at Chanel. When we speak about No. 5, we speak about flowers and aldehydes. Many of our fragrances, like No. 19, is very green. But I felt there was room for these types of scents.”
If you’ve always relished the smell of cologne (sometimes more so than female fragrances – we know we do), or have been sniffing out a his-and-her fragrance, well – this one’s for you.
The Les Eaux des Chanel is exclusively available in Chanel boutiques from 1 June 2018 onwards and retails for SGD210 each (125ml).
Sarah Khan
Photos: Chanel
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