Guillaume's nineteenth creation, Louanges Profanes, is a so-called Florientale, meaning a floral Oriental fragrance. Guillaume describes the scent, whose name literally translates as ‘secular hymns of praise,’ as ‘a flawless Oriental fragrance, radiant and pure – an olfactory prayer written with an ink made from six religious symbols.’
Indeed, all of the ingredients used have been attributed with mythical and/or religious significance for centuries – and continue to be so today: Hawthorn, for example, is considered the home of elves and a repellent of evil spirits, incense is an integral part of everyday Catholic life and was revered by the ancient Egyptians as the ‘sweat of the gods’, while the lily is a symbol of purity and beauty and is the flower of Mary, the Madonna.
Guillaume's blend has it all going on: neroli and hawthorn form the opening notes – hesperidic-fresh, slightly floral and fruity-tart – and quickly give way to lily, radiant and pure, towering above everything else. This powdery queen is soon framed by the intense balsamic warmth of benzoin resin. These are joined by woody notes of guaiac wood and classic incense.
Louange Profanes – a bright Florientale full of ambivalence: gentle and velvety, it has a contemplative moment, a sacred character, which is accompanied by a beguiling and, despite everything, innocent sensuality, primarily through the beguiling lily.
