In today’s world, where a fashion trend can be adopted across the globe in just a matter of hours, having a signature scent is a must. That’s because a trademark fragrance is the most intimate accessory we can call our own, reflecting who we are and what makes us unique without us having to say a single word.
Knowing this only too well, Henry Jacques opened its first experiential boutique for its Hong Kong clientele last year, following in the footsteps of its Singapore and Kuala Lumpur outposts. Although the atelier is well-versed in crafting bespoke scents for its clients, the ready-to-wear perfumes available are anything but your mass-market mix, and that’s redoubled for the fragrances found in the ultrarefined Renaissance Collection.Meet French model Thylane Blondeau, ‘the most beautiful girl in the world’
The collection introduces six exclusive scents, fittingly presented in high jewellery flacons. Specifically, these gold-covered, gem-encrusted flacons were designed by creative director Christophe Tollemer and handcrafted by Parisian goldsmiths.
Tollemer was inspired by Renaissance paintings and the intricate lacework of 16th century gowns, most distinctly reflected in the delicate lattice of coloured gems on the handblown glass of the flacons.
Like all perfumes by Henry Jacques, the scents are composed of pure oils extracted from exclusive ingredients. The haute perfumery never uses an existing blend of ingredients and, in bespoke perfume sessions, clients are invited to explore all the thousands of essentials and absolutes in the Henry Jacques compendium.
The scent christened Lune, for instance, releases a classic fragrance from its crystal flacon, bejewelled with diamonds and 18k gold. Opening with top notes of rose and jasmine, it follows with rose and fruity verbena middle notes. The sillage, or “trail” of the perfume as it diffuses on the skin, is also – what else? – rose.
The price for this single scent? A mere US$127,000 (HK$995,000) for 150ml.
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2. Chanel No. 5 Grand Extrait Baccarat
Also smelling of roses is the most iconic perfume of all time: Chanel No.5. Created by Ernest Beaux in 1921, it features top notes of rose, jasmine and ylang-ylang. For 2021, Chanel marked the fragrance’s century of celebrity status with a monumental bottle containing 2,021ml of No. 5 Parfum. The massive crystal bottle was limited to just 55 hand-numbered pieces, with two of those exclusively for sale in Hong Kong, HK$265,0003. Louis Vuitton The Ultimate Bottle
Limited to 200 numbered pieces designed by Marc Newson, the Flacon d’Exception marks a first in the house’s history: the first time that Les Parfums Louis Vuitton is presented in a one-litre bottle, made of Baccarat crystal. The Flacon d’Exception is showcased under a glass dome, sitting on a leather base, in tribute to LV’s leatherworking heritage, and houses one of the maison’s three signature fragrances composed by master perfumer Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud: Rose des Vents, Matière Noire and L’Immensité, HK$138,000
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4. Clive Christian Imperial Majesty
From Clive Christian, this limited edition of his absolute perfume oil has a creamy sandalwood base, overlaid with musk, cloves, vanilla and vetiver. It’s also encased in a Baccarat bottle, sculpted from polished crystal, with a 18k gold collar and a five-carat white diamond. With only 10 made in the entire world, Clive Christian calls this “the perfume of his heart”, HK$1.8 million
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