A chord of wild silk, a hint of incense, myrrh, velvety musk. Église de Velours is a delicate, enveloping incense fragrance. The resin of frankincense is meditative and mystical and is stripped of its purely atmospheric effect here: it becomes a sensual, skin-close and velvety experience. True to Pierre Guillaume's style, Église de Velours is a quiet dialogue between the soul and the skin.
The inspiration behind 20.2 Eglise de Velours: Paris, July 1997, the final preparations for a haute couture show are in full swing. Velvet-covered chairs in the style of Napoleon III, fine fabrics carefully draped along the walls, while the subtle scent of cigarette smoke wafts through the room. A familiar, quiet and fragile voice breaks the meditative silence. A model with a face like a Madonna steps out of a room, accompanied by two seamstresses who are helping to arrange the flounces of a dress that is currently being created. Barely concealed by a black, transparent blouse, the dress swings gracefully with her movements. Everything here seems imbued with a touch of magic: a quiet solemnity, an almost reverential concentration, the passion of the team assisting the designer in the studio. Doubt, a spark of inspiration – and finally the wonder when a new creation comes to life. Entering these rooms feels like stepping into a cathedral... made of velvet.
