Chances are you own or have heard of many Anne Flipo’s perfumes but never knew her name. Mention some of the most well-known fragrances on the market and it is likely the French Perfumer is behind many of them. She is one of the most accomplished perfumers in the industry and has been composing designer, niche, and luxury fragrances for nearly 30 years. Anne Flipo was the first woman to be named a ‘Master Perfumer’, a title that IFF (International Fragrance and Flavors) give to their most experienced and talented perfumers. She was recognized through several awards that included Cosmetique Magazine Perfumer of the Year in 2014 and the Fragrance Foundation Award for Jo Malone London Honeysuckle & Davana Cologne 2018. Most recently she was the recipient of the Fragrance Foundation (the “Oscars” of the perfume industry) Lifetime Achievement Award 2023.
Anne Flipo’s Perfumes
Rumor has it that over 5000 versions were made by three famous perfumers before Anne Flipo’s most famous and bestselling perfume is Lancôme La Vie Est Belle was finalized and launched in 2012. La Vie Est Belle is a French expression meaning “Life is beautiful” and was the first ever iris gourmand. Mouthwatering caramel soars above pear, grape and black currant while rose, iris and jasmine float on a vanilla cloud. Notes of caramel and praline remind you of a candy store, but there’s a flirty feminine vibe that is all woman.
Paco Rabanne Lady Million is another well-known Anne Flipo perfume. Housed in a faceted gold flacon that looks expensive and chic, the notes include an alluring mélange of citron, raspberry fruits and white florals such as orange flower, jasmine and. gardenia. Then honey is poured over amber woods which add a luxe tone at the dry down. You don’t have to have a million to feel like a million, so spray this at night and you’ll see people will gather around you…like flies to honey.
Anne Flipo also created Paco Rabanne Olympea, a vanilla perfume that is not an ordinary vanilla gourmand. Instead of sugar, she used salt. While it might sound unusual, think of how well salt and caramel work in food, now apply it to perfume. With the piquancy of fresh ginger, Olympea is never cloying, as jasmine, citrus and ambergris add whimsy and lightness.
Her Yves St. Laurent Libre makes a sparkling first impression, opening with a warm and glittering shower of citrus sparks. Tart cassis illuminates the dewy mandarin in beams of purple light, giving it a fullness that is juicy, sharp, and vivid. The heart of Libre is an intertwining bouquet of Moroccan orange blossom and jasmine. The unexpected contrast comes here in the form of lavender, which brings a transparent, herbal facet accompanied by just a hint of toasted sugar, blending seamlessly with the sweet white petals of Libre’s floral heart. Underneath the fruit and flowers is a warm, glowing base of vanilla and cedarwood.
Anne Flipo’s Burberry Brit Rhythm Perfume is a dance party in a bottle and was inspired by the British rock scene. With tempting blackberry and bright orange blossom wrapped around a floral lavender heart and a pinch of pink pepper, it is a fabulous feminine fragrance. Along with the floral, fruity sweetness are warm woody notes. Wear Brit Rhythm on a date, to a concert or any time you want to stand out in a crowd.
She also created Manifesto for Yves Saint Laurent. It is a soft, subtle perfume and perfect for young women. Manifesto is a sweetly floral fragrance featuring notes of lily of the valley, tart black currant, bergamot and vanilla with a fresh green leaf like thread weaving throughout. Soft musk clings to the skin very lightly in a captivating clean wood finish as puffs of vanilla floats like clouds above the composition. A whisper rather than a shout, it is a great fragrance for daily wear and when you just want to smell wonderful.
Davana carries a sweet floral scent that changes and blends with your individual skin chemistry. In Anne Flipo’s award winning Jo Malone’s Honeysuckle & Davana Cologne it has a sweet herbaceous and floral lift. Chamomile and hay combine with woody notes, fresh fruit, and a whiff of cooling camphor. The scent of the honeysuckle is enhanced by the floralcy of rose and the fruity note of osmanthus dries down a soft woody finish.
Anne Flipo composed one of the most talked about perfumes of 2021 with Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle Synthetic Jungle. Frédéric Malle wanted his collection to include a ‘green’ fragrance. Synthetic Jungle is a nod to two great classics of perfumery Chanel N ° 19 and Estée Lauder Private Collection, but with a unique and modern twist. A difficult task for any perfumer, including Anne Flipo who has great expertise working with floral and verdant notes. It is not just green, but hyper-realistic green. With galbanum patchouli and oakmoss she created a chypre accord to support white florals. Synthetic Jungle has a vintage vibe reminiscent of the flagship perfumes of the 70s, but is totally contemporary.
Now that we introduced you to Master Perfumer Anne Flipo’s perfumes, head on over to perfume.com to pick your favorite.
Fragrance advice and recommendations from Perfumista. Perfumista offers fragrance guides published often for every season and occasion, and well as extensive knowledge in the fragrance industry.
