Guerlain Shalimar

Inspired by the passionate love story between an emperor and an Indian princess, Shalimar, which means "Temple of Love" in Sanskrit, symbolizes the promise of eternal love. It is a fragrance of desire. The glowing, slightly audacious nature of this oriental scent embodies pure sensuality and a hint of the forbidden. “Whoever wears Shalimar succumbs to their own sensuality,” said Jacques Guerlain.

The Shalimar bottle, designed by Raymond Guerlain, won first prize at the 1925 Decorative Arts Exhibition in Paris. Its curves reflect the basins of the famous Shalimar Gardens. The fan-shaped cap in transparent sapphire blue evokes the eternal fountains of the garden.

Fragrance: Oriental. Erotic, sensual, captivating. A touch of flowers and bergamot gives the top notes a fresh breeze. The heart is warmed by enveloping and delicate powdery notes of iris, jasmine, and rose. Finally, it is the vanilla, rounded balsamic notes, and the indulgent warmth of tonka bean that orchestrate the sensual symphony in the dry down.

Perfumer's Secrets: Jacques Guerlain was bold enough to use the entirely new gourmand molecule ethylvanillin, which he blended with the Jicky accord. Captivated by this deliciously sensual creation, which he worked on day and night, he realized he was paving the way for a “small revolution” – the first pure oriental fragrance.