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For Marie Salamagne, perfume has the power to arouse emotion, evoke memories and transport us elsewhere. With Histoire d'Oranger Extrême, her latest creation, the perfumer invites us to experience the awe of a sunset, at the precise moment when the sun disappears behind the horizon.
What was the starting point for Histoire d'Orangers Extrême?
I was reflecting on a trip I’d taken to Morocco, and in particular a magnificent sunset. This memory inspired me to create Histoire d'Orangers Extrême. I reconstructed the scene through a series of sensations: the image of the sky and its contrasting lights, the fragrances carried on a warm wind and the freshness that arrives as the sun goes down.
What was your creative process?
Like with the first Histoire d'Orangers composition, I chose to open the Extreme version with a very clear, almost photographic vision of the orange blossom.
Then, to capture daylight fading to chiaroscuro, I transcribed a combination of neroli absolute with a waft of mysterious incense. The slight chill of dusk is suggested by cedarwood essence. The powdery texture of musk evokes pollen blown by the warm winds of the Souss valley.
This fragrance seems to play contrasts: strength and softness, day and night
Exactly. In this fragrance, the white flower comes face to face with darker, more mineral elements. I was interested in developing the idea of duality throughout the composition, associating orange blossom with peppery and incense nuances. But beyond playing with contrasts, it was a feeling of abundance that I wanted to convey through the new perfume.
Do you mix scents and fragrances in your daily ritual?
Oriental tradition encourages a lot of layering: scented oils, opulent fragrances, and floral hydrating sprays such as orange blossom. Though each fragrance is a unique creation, I sometimes layer them to see how they respond to each other – which can give rise to new accords. Another way is to try several different variations of the same fragrance. For example, body care products such as the Lotion Hydratante, Gel Lavant, Savon Parfumé and Crème pour les Mains. These are all available in the Histoire d'Orangers fragrance and can provide the perfect base for Histoire d'Orangers Extrême.
What do the words Artisan Parfumeur mean to you?
The term ‘Artisan Parfumeur’ takes me back to the golden age of perfumery, to a time when every moment of the day wasn’t on the clock, when people allowed themselves the luxury of time to create something beautiful. The Artisan is like an artist, dedicated to the precision of their work and the quality of their materials. An independent spirit is important to me, as it allows me to isolate myself from the pressures of time, and create freely.
