How do you make a fougère that has enough fougère-ness to justify the label but not so much that it smells like a disappointing cliche? That’s precisely the challenge faced by Houbigant when they decided to resurrect what’s often referred to as the original modern perfume: Fougère Royale. Created in the 1880s by Paul Parquet, it was the first fragrance to contain synthetic coumarin. Although the substance exists as a component of several widely-used natural materials – such as hay absolute and tonka beans – Parquet’s use of the synthetic version in his composition marked a genuine entry into previously uncharted waters.
Historical achievements notwithstanding, the world has changed a fair bit in the last 130 years: Fougère Royale was discontinued several decades ago, the usage of coumarin is currently restricted and tastes in perfumery are markedly different, especially when it comes to fougères. Precisely because it was so influential all those decades ago, Parquet’s accord of bergamot, lavender, geranium, moss and coumarin now spells ‘dad’s boring after shave’ to a whole generation of perfume-lovers anxious to create their own olfactory landscapes by rejecting certain smells favoured by their parents and grandparents. Of course, this doesn’t mean that the genre is no longer successful. Far from it: several variations on the original theme have turned out to be some of the most popular masculines of the last few years. In fact, it was only a few weeks ago that Penhaligon’s added another chapter to the fougère story with Bertrand Duchaufour’s Sartorial. But despite these occasional highlights, the general view is that the fougère is stuck in the past, that it’s a scent for the sort of guy who shudders at the thought of wearing a bright silk tie and is sent into paroxysms of agitation when he sees that the shelves at his local supermarket are stocked with moisturisers and anti-wrinkle creams for men.
You’d have thought that Houbigant would’ve buckled under the weight of all this social pressure and preferred to leave Parquet’s creation to the myths of the past, but clearly someone somewhere in their hierarchy thought it would be a good idea to re-make the scent. The question was how. It turns out that the answer was to keep things simple and expensive: get your naturals from Robertet, your synthetics from Givaudan and ensure that the new composition places greater emphasis on the middle section rather than the drydown, which is where dad’s boring after shave has the greatest potential to make its unwanted presence known.
The 2010 reformulation of Fougère Royale – presented in an elegantly weighty, Lalique-inspired flacon – serves as a reminder that the genre is essentially designed to be a fresh evocation of the outdoors. Citrus oils – so potent you’d think a lemon was being squeezed right under your nose – instantly send you back to the first sunny weekend of the summer, when you rediscover your short-sleeve shirts and spend Sunday morning reading the papers in the garden. The masterfully blended lavender-rose-geranium heart accord propels you into a memory of an evening in August when you and your loved one went for a long walk through a field and the sun didn’t set until 10 o’clock. And yes, when the drydown arrives, the slightly sweaty mossiness does evoke a composite image of all the male authority figures of your childhood and their faded blue shirts, but the tremendous quality of the whole product bypasses many of these negative associations and allows you to re-appreciate the curious, smoky, almondy, hay-like characteristics of coumarin.
It’ll be interesting to see how this release performs at the till. A part of me thinks that the careful balance of its blend might turn it into a perfume equivalent of a Jack of all trades, master of none: most people will find it very pleasant, but perhaps few will consider it sufficiently exciting to purchase. This would be a real shame. Although I’m generally not a fougère fan, there are some days when I’m fed up with niche artfulness and I just want to wear something that says ‘masculine’ in no uncertain terms. Fougère Royale fits the bill very well. It pronounces the word in a manner that is calm, authoritative and cultured without making you think you’ve been sucked back to the Time That Style Forgot. Despite all the odds, it’s a pretty impressive triumph.
[The official press release for Fougère Royale lists Roja Dove and Rodrigo Flores-Roux as its creators; review based on a sample of eau de parfum obtained in 2010; fragrance tested on skin.]
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Please note: I had planned to hold a giveaway for a sample of Fougère Royale. However, I decided it would be better to postpone it so that it doesn’t interfere with Saturday’s very special draw. I’ll run it at some point in the week beginning 6th December.]
Persolaise
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I'm intrigued by fougeres as I think I should like them. Although I haven't really found one I hugely like yet. I will try to find this one.
Now this sounds like something I would like to smell on a man. I do hope it sells enough that I get the chance to sniff it in passing on the tube or something, as I don't currently have a man for whom I could buy it! 🙂
Ooh, special draw? I'll be back on Saturday, then!
MPL, thanks for your comment. Fougere Royale won't be available until February 2011, but maybe you'll be able to find a sample somewhere.
I tend not to be crazy about fougeres either, but then lots of people aren't crazy about the idea of strong, woody florals for men. Each to their own, eh?
Tania, now THERE'S a reason to get into a relationship with someone. "I asked you out because I knew – I just knew – that Fougere Royale would smell divine on you."
You don't need a man! Wear it yourself. I suspect it might be very intriguing scent on women.
And yes, please, do come back on Saturday…
I found an old recipe for a natural fougere and made up a small bottle. I really liked it, it was quite soft, but then I really love hay absolute and lavender. Modern fougeres…hmm…don't care for them too much. They are often nose-searing to me. But if this is based on the original, I'll seek some out to try.
-Marla
Marla, it would probably be more accurate to say that it's inspired by the original. But by all means, you should try it. The heart notes are wonderful, in my opinion.
Hi Persolaise,
Great articles on here and on Basenotes about Fougere Royale. I have to admit, a fougere is one of the few perfumes I know much about, and I've probably smelt a few in my time and not known. Any major good ones you care to share? 🙂
Liam
Ooh, you're putting me on the spot, Liam J. When I want to wear one that smells as clean as a pane of glass that's just been scrubbed and polished by some sort of high intensity industrial process, then I reach for Cool Water or Drakkar Noir (and no, I'm not bothered by the fact that they are the very definition of 'popular'). However, when I want something more interesting from a fougere, then I go either for Jicky or Rive Gauche Pour Homme.
And thanks very much for the compliments 🙂
J'Adore L'Or sounds like my cup of tea seeing as I am loving the snow and cosy nights in so much!! 🙂
Hi Persolaise,
Oh you've given me much more to sniff out and enjoy 🙂 thank you!
Liam J, let me know how you get on 🙂
DawnLouise, I think maybe you might have been trying to leave the above comment on another post?