Everyone remembers the first time they encounter Chanel N°5. Created in 1921, Gabrielle Chanel’s debut fragrance has endured the test of time to become one of the most celebrated perfumes in the world. The house of Chanel has never played by the rules, and at a time where single-note fragrances were the norm — with scents typically revolving around a single flower or musk — the complex mix of jasmine, ylang ylang, sandalwood, and the emblematic May rose cemented itself as an incredibly modern take on perfumes.
Intuition guided Chanel to create the scent, and this keen understanding of what women want means that the fragrance itself, and the way it’s produced, has remained largely unchanged — even after 100 years. Elegant, classic and quintessentially French, the spirit of the fragrance is perfectly embodied through its ambassador, actress Marion Cotillard.
As the face of Chanel N°5, she possesses a deep curiosity and a strong commitment to the role. Recently, she visited the rose fields of Grasse, France with in-house perfumer Olivier Polge, to discover the journey the May rose takes as it transforms from flower to fragrance. Experience this year’s harvest with them through a series of interview notes from the house.
N°5 AS IDENTITY
Olivier Polge (OP): “I want to ask you a question that really interests me. Do you remember the first time you smelled N°5? And how you felt?”
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