We may be in Capricorn season at the moment but Chanel’s latest addition to its expanding Les Exclusifs de Chanel collection has us in a Leo mood.
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Christened Le Lion de Chanel, this scent is the 17th member of this family of exquisitely concocted fragrances which are bottled in refined signature rectangular glass bottles and black magnetised cap and known for their romantic backstory which takes strong inspiration from the house codes and Gabrielle Chanel’s singular style.
The Le Lion de Chanel features ambery accords of cistus labdanum and vanilla and warm leather notes.
The Le Lion de Chanel is an obvious nod to the Mademoiselle’s Leo star sign and her personal affection for the lion which she treated as a totem of luck and can be found all around her legendary 31 Rue Cambon apartment.
A lion figurine in Gabrielle Chanel’s apartment at 31 rue Cambon.
It is said that she got smitten by the lion emblem and its symbol of strength and bravery after a trip to Venice in 1920 which was decorated by figures of the big cat everywhere. Trivia: She was laid to rest with a tombstone that is watched over by five lions that she designed herself.
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Classified as an oriental scent, the Le Lion de Chanel might sound as a heavy perfume on paper that is more suited for the after-hours. But Chanel’s nose Olivier Polge had deftly tamed this usually heady and overpowering olfactory family.
Gabrielle Chanel on a yacht in front of the Lido of Venice – the city that fascinated her with its numerous lion emblems.
At first spritz, you’ll be hit by effervescent notes of lemon and bergamot before the rich accords of cistus labdanum (a plant with balsamic and ambery notes that have been used in perfumery for over 3,000 years), vanilla and leather unfurl.
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Available in a 200ml and a travel-friendly 75ml size, this Eau de Parfum is available at all Chanel Fragrance and Beauty boutiques islandwide and is just the kind of fragrance that you need if you are seeking something sophisticated and comforting sans the overpowering sensation.
