Beyond apparel and bags, Chanel’s lasting signature rests in one perfume, the No. 5. As the first fragrance launched by Coco Chanel in 1921, the scent grew to become an icon for the Parisian fashion house that lasts till this day.
Evolution is always necessary, and this fall, Chanel changes things up in a big way by releasing the new Gabrielle perfume in honour of its founder — for Gabrielle was her first name.
Though Chanel has launched perfumes, these have been variants of the Coco Mademoiselle and No. 5, not an entirely new blend unto their own. The last release was in 2002, with the Chanel Chance.
Gabrielle is a perfume that hints at the past while looking forward. Composed by master perfumer Olivier Polges, it is a floral scent with hints of jasmine, tuberose, orange blossom and ylang ylang that give way to a heady dash of sandalwood.
Changes extend right down to the bottle. Instead of the weighted glass one expects from a luxury perfume bottle, the Gabrielle is made deliberately thin and lightweight, with all its square walls converging in the middle to reflect light. The craft behind the vial alone took years to perfect. A thick glass bottom typical of fragrance bottles is also absent, which adds to its refinement.
Though the scent and the bottle pay homage to the original No. 5, it is an entirely new breed that heralds what the modern Chanel woman stands for — youthful, bold and unabashedly feminine.
The Gabrielle perfume releases in Chanel boutiques from 19 August, and at retailers islandwide on 1 September. Price TBA.
Beatrice Bowers
Features Editor
Beatrice Bowers writes about beauty, drinks, and other nice things. When not bound to her keyboard, she moonlights as a Niffler for novels and can be found en route to bankruptcy at your nearest bookstore. Don't tell her boss.
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