The composition
The name comes from the classic French dessert, Poire Hélène. Invented in the late 19th century by Auguste Escoffier, the first Michelin-starred chef, and named after Offenbach's operetta ‘La Belle Hélène’, it is a spicy parody of the abduction of the beautiful Helen.
Of the poached pears, chocolate sauce, vanilla ice cream and crystallised violets, the perfumer has only taken the pear. A lively and juicy pear, whose green, pink and musky notes flatter the apricots in the top and heart notes, underscored by delicate mandarin peel. The powdery and woody notes of violets, another facet of osmanthus blossoms, are underscored by pure iris butter and accompanied by its classic partner, rose. Ylang-ylang adds a rich floral contrast. The leathery scents of osmanthus unfold in the heart and are linked to the base of smoky-sweet and woody liquorice.
With hints of lemon, rose and vetiver, patchouli and an oak moss base, La Belle Hélène is essentially a chypre. But it is undoubtedly a non-classic chypre. Silky, musky, juicy and carefree, La Belle Hélène is indeed like its namesake, ‘the beautiful Helen’. And, as with Escoffier's culinary classic, it is almost impossible not to take a bite.
The bottle
This glass bottle by Parfums MDCI is decorated with a red gold ribbon. Its shape is inspired by ancient Doric columns, with a rounded capital and base. This bottle can replace both the crystal and Limoges edition bottles.
