Everyone talks about scent bringing back memories but this week it was a painting that triggered my recollection of a Guerlain classic. I’ve started renovating part of my house and this included taking out a built-in wardrobe. It was a typical nineties “Changing Rooms” style construction built of four-by-four and MDF, but what was hidden behind it really took me back. The wall was decorated with painted dolphins, so obviously it used to be a child’s room, and straight away I started to think about Petit Guerlain, which was released in 1994. So, let’s go back twenty two years and rediscover Guerlain’s innocence.
When Petit Guerlain was launched the public were unaware that it would be the last fragrance solely controlled by the family firm. By the end of that year LVMH would have a majority share in the company and, ignoring Un Air de Samsara, there would be no new fragrance for two years. The Guerlain family finally sold their remaining stake to LVMH in 1996 and the new company's opening release was Champs-Elysées by Olivier Cresp. This first fragrance was unfortunately not very well received, especially when it became known that they had chosen Cresp's submission over Jean-Paul Guerlain’s.

From the first spray you are immediately hit by a wonderfully soapy quality which seems to shout “bath time”, and for me it’s the combination of chamomile and violet leaf which gives that impression of innocence. You do have lavender in there as well but it’s so carefully proportioned that it doesn't intrude. The citrus notes are given plenty of space to breathe but it’s the bergamot which gives Petit Guerlain its edge, stopping it becoming yet another talcum powder outing. The floral heart of this fragrance is provided by mimosa, jasmine and rose, along with a delicate support from Guerlain’s tonka bean. It’s interesting that as the tonka starts to come through you do get a little powder, but just a slight dusting.
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