Serge Lutens Nuit de Cellophane (2009) {New Perfume}

Serge Lutens has unveiled his latest opus called Nuit de Cellophane (Cellophane Night). The fragrance is scheduled to launch in March of 2009.

While the nocturnal thematic will not be unfamiliar to Serge Lutens followers, in particular by those who follow his perfume creations, the insertion of a modernistic material such as cellophane is more of a departure from the general timeless atmosphere pertaining to the Lutensian fragrance universe. I would argue however, that it draws a bridge with his research on materials and textures found in his photographic work.

There is also the possibility that cellophane here is used with a double entendre, at once the sign of a romantic gift bought at the florist and an allusion to a thicker nocturnal atmosphere as cellophane is a material privileged by fetishists.

Three perfume notes and a more general aesthetic impression are mentioned to offer an initial sketch of the fragrance:

"Un osmanthus de Chine

Un jasmin particulier qui aurait volé l'écorce de mandarine ;

le tout sous cellophane"

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"An osmanthus from China

A special jasmine which would have stolen a mandarin peel

All wrapped in cellophane" (our translation)...

Serge Lutens writes further about Nuit de Cellophane,

"Et la nuit se dévoile, découvre ses étoiles.

Les papillons du soir en lourd vol velouté dansent

 autour des lanternes. 

Les habitants de l'ombre, grillons et autres fous, tous en service secret, envoient leurs S.O.S.

- "Mademoiselle, s'il vous plaît? Mettez tout cela sous cellophane!

- "C'est pour offrir Monsieur?"

- "Oui, à vous, tout simplement."

Here is the English version from the house of Serge Lutens,

"As the night unfolds, it reveals a cluster of heavenly bodies.

The velvet pirouette of moths fluttering around glowing lanterns.

Creatures of darkness, crickets and other dwellers of the shadows

lying undercover, transmit their requests.

- Excuse me miss, could you wrap that please?

- Is it a gift, sir?

- Indeed it is, a gift for you."

Nuit de Cellophane Eau de Parfum will be available 50 ml for 79 € at Les Salons du Palais Royal Shiseido, Le Bon Marché, Le Printemps, Les Galeries Lafayette, and in selective perfumeries. A list is available on the Serge Lutens website.