When Hedi Slimane launched his first range of fragrances for Celine back in 2019, his focus was firmly on the olfactory ability to recreate a memory. The artistic, creative and image director’s latest fragrance, Rimbaud, is no different, once more reviving the traditional savoir-faire of French haute parfumerie through some of his most treasured childhood memories.
“At the age of 14, after our lessons, my friends and I would recite Rimbaud’s Le Dormeur du Val lying in the grass, before diving body and soul into Les Illuminations,” says Slimane in his olfactory journal. “We were fascinated by the fragility and grace of the young poet, and felt his torments as if they were our own.” It’s the same late French poet who has inspired the new scent, which is a chic concoction of lavender, neroli, orris butter, wheat accord, musk and vanilla notes. “I remember that picture of him that I kept with me religiously – it seemed to me to be the image of eternal youth. I have always wanted to create a perfume that evokes utopia, the very essence of youth, illustrating that picture,” he adds.
The epitome of luxury fragrance, Rimbaud comes housed in a moody, sleek glass and black lacquer bottle, which was designed by Slimane himself in keeping with the traditions of French glassmaking, and will take pride of place on any dressing table. Available at Celine counters nationwide and online
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