Cartier Les Heures De Parfum

image: cartier

Following in the footsteps of Chanel Les Exclusifs, Giorgio Armani Armani Privé and Hermès Hermèssences, Maison Cartier has just launched the first five of a projected thirteen exclusive niche fragrances conceived by in-house nose Mathilde Laurent. Based loosely on the concept of the hours of the day, the fragrances are exclusive to Saks Fifth Avenue and Cartier Boutiques.

When I visited Cartier this week to preview the collection, I was astounded by the exclusive merchandising materials: the beautiful paper notebook, the exquisite sample boxes and generous vials. Even the test strip is gorgeous. Cartier has spared no expense on these elegant fragrances. The heavy deco inspired glass bottles derive from a vase in the Cartier archives with boxes nearly as luxurious as the ones for their legendary jewels.

I L'Heure Promise: "between naivety and self-confidence, with notes of petitgrain, iris, sandalwood. The hour of angels, because in reality, this is the scent of an angel."

VI L'Heure Brillante: "full of notes of lemon and gin and shot through with a trace of aldehydes. The neon hour, the electric hour, who thrills and exalts all those whom it engulfs."

X L'Heure Folle: "the vibrating moment of consuming nature, it crisps like young berries of blackcurrant, redcurrant and blueberry. Nature as I love it, wild, bucolic, frenzied, rustling and budding as fruits which will never ripen." (exclusively at Saks)

XII L'Heure Mystérieuse: "sensual and mystic, with a backdrop of incense, jasmine and patchouli. An invitation to secrets, a scent to be whispered."

XII La Treizième Heure: "glides sensual and mesmerising on the skin, with intoxicating hints of narcissus, maté, and leather. By smoke, I mean perfume. Smoke like a fascination, to be worn like a trap with intent."

credit: Cartier