EAU So New

La Collection Privée Christian Dior's New Look draws parallels between fragrance and couture, past and future.

- NOEL KHOO

In 1947, Christian Dior debuted his couture collection, better known as the “New Look” which redefined the postwar sartorial norms of the time. Audacious and timeless, the New Look set the stage for Dior’s legacy. Its structured yet fluid silhouette became emblematic of Dior’s savoir-faire, inspiring not just the House’s womenswear and menswear but also its olfactory creations. Fast forward seven decades later, when master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian joined Dior as Perfume Creation Director, he revisited the “New Look” and envisioned a scent that encapsulates the synergy between couture and fragrance with perfection.

To bring this scent to life, Kurkdjian blended raw materials that evoke fresh and effusive yet supple and sensual facets. “I created a composition that honours the beauty of an amber fragrance reinvented through original and audacious fresh notes.” Kurkdjian shared the creative process behind the New Look, likening it to the meticulous artistry of couture design. “A classic cut and bold choice of raw materials are reorchestrated, and seemingly deconstructed here, to express a new type of sensuality.”

Living up to its name, La Collection Privée New Look defies what is expected of an amber scent. It opens with sunny aldehydes, whilst at its heart, frankincense adds warmth to its radiance with a hint of mystery. As it dries down, the amber at the base brings out the nuanced structure, leaving an enveloping trail that is both fresh and sensual.