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Guerlain, the renowned French house of luxury fragrances, commemorates the one year anniversary of its art-inspired collection, L’Art & La Matière, with the release of three new oud fragrances. These perfumes aim to explore the uncharted facets of the iconic agarwood note, taking inspiration from the art world. To introduce these new scents to the region, Guerlain enlisted the talented Moroccan artist Ghizlane Agzenaï to create captivating “collection plates” for the flacon lids of the L’Art & La Matière bottles.Artistic Inspiration and Cultural NodsGhizlane Agzenaï, a rising star in the art world, drew inspiration from “the thousand and one colors of oud wood” to design the new collection plates. Her artwork showcases geometric shapes infused with intensely vibrant colors, paying homage to Arabian cultural designs. Agzenaï’s art is also influenced by American avant-garde Minimalism, creating a unique fusion of Middle Eastern and Western artistic elements.Three New Fragrances Celebrating Sustainable OudEach of the three new Guerlain perfumes in the L’Art & La Matière collection celebrates sustainable oud in its own distinct way, taking cues from the art world as a reference point.Oud Nude: Crafted by Guerlain perfumer Delphine Jelk, Oud Nude is a spicy and warm perfume inspired by the curves and sensuality of a Constantin Brâncuș sculpture. The fragrance features notes of oud, white almond, cumin, raspberry, cedar, sandalwood, and vanilla.Cherry Oud: Also created by Delphine Jelf, Cherry Oud embodies oud wood lacquered in cherry, presenting a contrast of red and black reminiscent of a Jeff Koon’s sculpture finish. The fruity floral composition includes oud, cherry, cinnamon, cardamom, Turkish rose absolute, and Bulgarian rose essence.Oud Khôl: Conceived by Guerlain’s master perfumer, Thierry Wasser, Oud Khôl seeks to capture the incandescence of bakhoor, the captivating incense burned for centuries in the Middle East. Drawing parallels to Anish Kapoor’s Absolute Black work, Oud Khôl is a “dark” fragrance with prominent notes of oud, aldehydes, leather, smoke, moss accord, and caramelized praline.An Artful Journey of Scent and CultureGuerlain’s L’Art & La Matière collection is a celebration of the timeless art of perfumery and the enduring cultural significance of oud. Through the artistic expressions of Ghizlane Agzenaï and the olfactory masterpieces crafted by Guerlain’s perfumers, the collection embraces diversity and inclusivity, reflecting the brand’s commitment to celebrating individuals of all backgrounds and skin tones.With each fragrance embodying a unique artistic vision and paying tribute to the beauty of oud, the L’Art & La Matière collection continues to redefine luxury perfumery while embracing the art and culture that enriches the world. As the journey of Peacefull unfolds, Salama Mohamed’s unwavering dedication to inclusivity and genuine conversations about beauty and self-acceptance is set to make a lasting impact on the skincare industry.
