Alaïa Eau de Parfum Blanche ≈ A Cartography of Personal Identity (2016) {New Perfume}

French designer Alaïa has launched a new fragrance called Alaïa Eau de Parfum Blanche, the second chapter in his perfume story-telling. This time, he is geographically inspired by a visit to l'Alhambra in Granada in the south of Spain, but also as always, by his autobiography. His first fragrance Alaïa (2015) was based on reminiscences of his native country, Tunisia, although his parents actually hail from Spain...

One can point out that perfume is a means for Alaïa to draw an ideal cartography of his roots and to make circumscribable and transportable, complexity.

He's added a further layer of meaning to his most recent launch by collaborating creatively with nine friends who gave their input to conceive Alaïa Blanche. They are people well-known to the fashion industry, like gallierist and founder of 10 Corso Como Carla Sozzani - whom he calls his "sister" - or photographer Paolo Roversi. A "last supper" illustration features all 10 participants including a Christic Alaïa.

The composition, a musky almond floral, is signed by perfumer Marie Salamagne of Firmenich, who also authored the original Alaïa Eau de Parfum. It might call to mind to some Amande Persane by Roger et Gallet at first blush, by Delphine Jelk of Drom Fragrances, as one related scent in this genre.

The bottle was designed by Martin Szekely.

Notes include: almond, heliotrope, musk, white florals, vanilla absolute.