Les Exclusifs de Chanel is a collection of fragrances that recalls a place, moment or theme that played an important role to Mlle. Chanel’s life. All of the fragrances are available in only one size and concentration, 200ml size of eau de toilette. They are light fragrances that are meant to be spritzed liberally in a decadent fashion. Existing fragrances include Gardenia, Coromandel, Bel Respiro, and 31, rue Cambon. The newest scent in the Les Exclusifs de Chanel Collection is Beige, the neutral color that Chanel single-handedly made chic. Chanel once said, “I take refuge in beige because it’s natural.“ Created by legendary “nose” Jacques Polge, this fragrance is everything that Chanel loved about her favorite color: it’s natural, light, elegant and sexy all at once.
While visiting the Chanel Ultra-Luxe Boutique, Ruby the sales associate, told me about Beige and how it was the newest in the series. She also told me that most stores and the website didn’t even have it yet. Ruby didn’t know it, but I had been on the hunt for a new fragrance for some time. I had been wearing the same perfume, Samsara by Guerlain, since I was 18. I’ve worn some other fragrances here and there during the past 16 years, all of them Chanel including Allure, Coco Mademoiselle and No. 5 Elixir Sensuel. All of those scents, including Samsara, can be a bit heavy at times so I was looking for something a bit fresher. One whiff of Beige and I instantly found my new scent. Beige is light, with notes of “hawthorne, freesia, frangipani, honey, white petals and yellow gold.” I bought it that day in February and I’ve been wearing it everyday since. Beige is now available in Chanel boutiques and will debut soon on the Chanel website. The 200ml size retails for $190.
One of my favorite scents from Les Exclusifs de Chanel is Gardénia. I’ve been waiting for the right moment to get it and I think that the light, fresh scent is perfect for spring and summer. I tend to stay away from heavier scents once the weather gets warmer and Gardénia’s light floral scent is lovely in the hotter months. Created by Master Perfumer Ernest Beaux in 1925 (also the creator of Chanel N°5), Chanel Gardénia is an ode to the camellia, Mademoiselle Chanel’s favorite flower. Gardénia is definitely on my shopping list this spring.
