Thursday 9 April 2020

DELINA by Parfums de Marly

One of the most amazing parts about the perfume industry is experiencing the moment when the stars really do align. This doesn’t happen very often but, when it does, the results are exceptional. Finding the perfect perfumer for the perfect project, and then watching the company allow them space to create, is a luxury that is not always afforded to mainstream releases. However, in the niche sector it is more common. One such collaboration was between Quentin Bisch and Parfums de Marly. Their 2017 release was the epitome of cashmere soft romance, and it’s time to rediscover the exquisite Delina.

Parfums de Marly was launched in 2009 by Julien Sprecher and was born out of a deep held love of fragrance. He had first been introduced to the joy of scent by his father, Jean-François Sprecher, who himself founded a successful consulting agency for the fragrance industry back in 1981. So it was inevitable that the family business would continue. The idea with Parfums de Marly was to create a range of “signature” scents that each conveyed its own message and character. Growing up near the palace and gardens of Versailles in Paris definitely played a hand in their styling.

One of the aspects that the company drew upon was the romantically sensuous way that exotic ingredients had been used throughout French history to perfume both persons and surroundings. This heightened level of luxury is what Julien wanted to exhibit in his scents, and even the textural quality of the fabrics and hangings was to be a requirement of his perfumers. From the beginning, this was destined to be a collection that people would absolutely fall in love with and, as Marilyn Monroe had done with Chanel No.5, be the only thing that needed to be worn in bed.

To create Delina, Julien Sprecher turned to Quentin Bisch who had previously created for Jean Paul Gaultier, Yves Saint Laurent, and was also responsible for the hidden gem for Fragonard that is Homme Élégant. One of the stable of star perfumers to be found at Givaudan, his more provocatively sensual side had also been seen in Attaquer le Soleil Marquis de Sade from Etat Libre d’Orange. It was this rare skill at being able to combine commercial with niche, and also throw in a dash of vintage, that made him the perfect choice to work on the company’s interpretation of a sensuously romanticised rose.

Delina opens with a delicately powdered note of lychee, that is immediately addictive, before a floral blend starts to appear. This watery combination of peony and lily of the valley is accented with a sharpened touch of rhubarb but, before it has chance to become just another delicate bouquet, in comes a beautifully spiced Turkish rose. The clove tinged petals pull up the notes of frankincense and sandalwood from the base, and this helps to keep the rose buoyant as a luxuriously soft velvet finish is provided thanks to the sweetened cashmeran. Delina may be the epitome of femininity but, as a confirmed rose lover, this is all I’ll be wearing tonight.

Delina is available from the Parfums de Marly website at parfums-de-marly.com or Harvey Nichols priced at £190 for 75ml. [Sample provided by Parfums de Marly]

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