Fragrance Friday Saturday: La Petite Robe Noire

Apparently Guerlain 'invented' perfume. Did you know that? Obviously people were wearing perfume before 1828 when the brand was founded, but apparently Guerlain was the first person to bring perfume to the masses. I didn’t until I attended the launch of their newest fragrance concept La Petite Robe Noire a couple of weeks ago. A pretty impressive claim to be able to make. Of all the perfumers, Guerlain certainly has some of the best credentials and its fragrances are famously ‘traditional’, hence I haven’t fallen in love with one yet. I have a feeling my perfume tastes simply aren’t mature enough for the majority of Guerlain’s creations (I have no shame in admitting it, but I’m the opposite of a perfume snob!)

They branched out last year with a younger take on their classic Shalimar, ‘Shalimar Initial’ and I still didn’t like that. Their latest creation however, may be set to change my feelings. La Petite Robe Noire is a fruiter, sweeter scent that is designed to appeal to the (younger) masses. 

The most distinct note to me is cherry. I had a cold when I first smelt this (hence the delayed review!) and all I could smell was cherry! Now my senses have recovered, I can pick up the more delicate notes of liquorice and an underlying lace of vanilla, iris and patchouli. This is an undeniably sweet scent, but it is laced with something darker and more interesting and slightly spicy. It’s a ‘proper’ scent that changes as you wear it, ageing from a ripe, just-plucked creation to a more mature, sultry concoction.

I have to admit it’s taken me a while to decide how I feel about it. I certainly like the scent, but it’s one of those fragrances I love one day and am not so sure the next. It’s an interesting one, I’d certainly recommend trying it.

What I am totally in love with however, is the marketing concept for the scent. The Petite Robe Noire girl is a gorgeous illustration, and the ad campaign its full of tongue-in-chic fun, seeing the illustration gallivanting around Paris.

It’s a fun new direction for the classic brand and I think it’s a breath of fresh air.

La Petite Robe Noire is available now, from £42 for 30ml.