Mitsouko by Guerlain
1.0 oz Pure Parfum for Women
(4.4/5 stars from 12 ratings)Price $365 |
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Sale $307.98 |
It’s difficult to talk about Mitsouko without referencing the lore so precious to this most prestigious French fragrance house, Guerlain. Jacques Guerlain, the mastermind who provided us with several classics withstanding the test of time for decades, imagined the 1919 Mitsouko as homage to a popular novel of the time, “La Bataille” by Claude Farrère. In it Mitsouko, a beautiful Japanese woman and the wife of Admiral Togo, is secretly in love with a British officer aboard the flagship of the Japanese fleet during the 1905 war between Russia and Japan; Mitsouko awaits with dignity the outcome of the battle, nobly overcoming her feelings.
The composition was revolutionary at the time: The peach skin effect perceived at the heart of the fragrance derives from a modern synthetic ingredient, aldehyde C14 (Peach essence cannot be naturally extracted). Flanked by murky oakmoss and refreshing bergamot at each end (thus composing a classic chypre), alongside spicy accents reminiscent of cinnamon and cloves ~especially in the Eau de Toilette version~, Mitsouko utilizes rose, neroli (a light-smelling orange blossom distillation product), woods, vetiver and patchouli for a sumptuous formula that has had men ensnared for long: It was said that Hollywood star Jean Harlow’s husband drenched himself from her bottle before committing suicide. But literary (and erotic) genius Anais Nin was also enamored of it.
The mysterious, haughty fragrance is in chasm with every recent pop trend, making a difficult love-affair much like its storyline, nevertheless indulging in a bottle of Mitsouko is the hallmark of the true connoisseur, like a fine Pinot Noir wine can be an acquired taste.
The delightful bottle, called “inverted heart” because of its cap, reprises the design of another Guerlain classic L’Heure Bleue which was issued in 1912, due to the shortages of World War I. Later, after the success of Mitsouko, the design stayed, as a gentle stylistic reminder of the two bottles opening and closing the period between the beginning and the end of the war. And indeed if L’Heure Bleue is contemplative daydreaming and above all romantic like La Belle Epoque, Mitsouko is mysterious and emancipated heralding the era of flappers like no other perfume. Today Mitsouko is enjoying cult status and is the top seller of Guerlain in Japan, in what can only be a move of reverse homage. Truly timeless...
Notes Top Note: Bergamot, Lemon, Mandarin, Neroli Middle Note: Peach, Rose, Clove, Ylang-Ylang Base Note: Oakmoss, Benzoin, Vetiver, Cinnamom
Recommended Use Evening
Size 1.0 oz
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Recent reviews of Mitsouko
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Review of Mitsouko by Gail Hartshorne
My collegue and I worked together as display artists in London's west end,he was a joy to be around he oozed great taste and confidence,above all he smelt devine. I asked him what is that wonderful smell "MITSOUKO" he declared, whizzing me off to his barber! Now 35 years later everyone family and friends just follow my fragrance MITSOUKO.
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Review of Mitsouko by
This is the only perfume I have used for30 years. I don't feel dressed until I spray on my Mitsouko. I would never use any other perfume. Only problem is that it is getting so difficult to find.
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Review of Mitsouko by Meridith Rieman
This is a lovely delicate scent that has been my mother's special perfume for 60 years. I have given it to her for her birthday ever since I had the money to buy it. It's a real classic and worth every penny you pay for it. Everyone should have such a perfect gift for someone they love.
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Review of Mitsouko by Jeri Moore
I bought this perfume for the plain and simple fact that it was worn by famous erotic authoress Anais Nin. In her diary she mentions that Henry Miller's wife, June, requested a bottle of it after smelling it on her during the beginning of their romantic relationship. The smell definitely evokes a long ago era, a very sophisticated and exotic fragrance. I expect to wear it in the evening, a spray behind the knee and the back of the neck with a favorite piece of lingerie. I'm not sure if my beau will like it, but I definitely feel like a woman wearing it.
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Review of Mitsouko by Joan Enos
I have been using Mitsouko since 1983 when it was suggested to me by a salesperson in a mall in Honolulu. My family has always commented, " You always smell so good!"
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Review of Mitsouko by Eunice Geron
I was truly happy to find Mitsouko. A childhood friend visited me in Chicago in May and mentioned her love for the cologne but was unable to find it. So, I decided to search the internet to see if I could fine Mitsouko. I'm so glad I did. I sent it to her for a Christmas present. She called me to tell me how elated she was and wondered if I could hear the scream she let out when she opened the box. (she lives in New Jersey) I live in Illinois. She asked me how I found it. I told her thanks to the world of computers and Perfume.com. Each time I talk to her she tells me how she can't thank me enough for the gift because she thout it had been discontinued since the stores don't carry it. I'm glad you company had it because it was such a surprise to her and a nice way to make someone as happy as she was. Thanks again for Perfume.com. Eunice Geron
