(Eau de Parfum)
AZIYADÉ, an elixir that brings together the aphrodisiacs of many cultures throughout history, transports us to a sensual feast where the pleasures of love are closely intertwined with those of the palate. More than a fragrance, AZIYADÉ is a taste. The taste of the yielding flesh of AZIYADÉ, the heroine of Pierre Loti’s novel of the same name, the story of a harem during the decline of the Ottoman Empire—though we know today that Loti’s heroine, the embodiment of love, was once a heroine herself. Is AZIYADÉ a forbidden fruit? The fragrance opens with pomegranate: for the Greeks, tasting it meant drinking the blood of the drunken god Dionysus to experience cosmic union. Candied dates, almonds, oranges, and plums are ignited by aphrodisiac spices: cardamom, prized by the ancient Egyptians to make their kisses more passionate. Ceylon cinnamon, an indispensable ingredient in the erotic festivals of the Romans, who dedicated it to Venus Libentina in their temples; ginger, used in China to stimulate the mucous membranes; and finally Egyptian cumin, which was used in the sacred prostitution rituals of the Sumerian Empire. AZIYADÉ’s oriental fragrance transports us to the smoke-filled atmosphere of erotic celebrations. Tobacco leaves blend with raw Indian patchouli, which was used in magical rituals to heighten sexual desire. Vanilla, an aphrodisiac in the Aztec Empire, exudes its warm, amber-colored accords, rounded out by the sensual notes of carob pods. Tears of Arabian incense unite love and sacred ecstasy: did not Queen Hatshepsut display her naked body, anointed with incense, in honor of the god Amun-Re? Intoxicated by luxury and pleasure, AZIYADÉ delves even deeper into sensuality. Its animalic accords revive the penetrating scent of the mythical Tonkin musk, while the Moroccan rockrose absolute unfolds its resinous facets. The highly concentrated, precious ingredients of AZIYADÉ require slow maceration to develop into a naturally dark nectar. More than just a scent trail, AZIYADÉ leaves a mark.
