Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight in Paris EDT & EDP (2010): Dark Lily of the Valley for Men {New Fragrance} {Men's Cologne}

Luxury jewelry maker Van Cleef & Arpels will launch a new masculine fragrance from September 2010 called Midnight in Paris. It will be readily available in two concentrations, in Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum.

The idea behind the perfume was to create a luxurious leather fragrance, a sensual skin effect on which a luminous flower is said to be resting. The composition is signed by nose Domitille Bertier, with the collaboration of perfumer Olivier Polge...

To drive home the subtlety and ambiguity of the contrast, the brand nevertheless mentions the concept of a "black muguet" note, a reversal in the common perception of a floral note which epitomizes for many an idea of purity and fresh spring beginnings.

We are told that "This black muguet takes root in the asphalt while deploying a delicate sensibility."

The movement of showcasing floral notes in men's perfumes is interesting to note as it points to evolving sensibilities and greater olfactory freedom in the masculine perfumery palette.

Today, Women's Wear Daily indicates that the brand sees the presence of this floral lily of the valley note as an invitation for women to be tempted by the fragrance as well. 

The Eau de Toilette is fresher and more aromatic while the Eau de Parfum is said to offer more sillage and aura.

The EDT has notes of lemon, bergamot, rosemary, green Matcha tea accord, black muguet/lily of the valley, styrax, tonka bean, benzoin, incense.

The EDP is said to be a faithful rendition of the EDT but with more accent put on the base notes. The composition is described as an ambery oriental leather.

Via press release