In Greek mythology, fragrances often arise from the fusion of romantic poetry and metamorphosis. Mint, for instance, allegedly owes its distinctive scent to the nymph Minthé, who was transformed into this aromatic plant by Hades, the god of the underworld. Eau de Minthé was inspired by this myth and reinterprets the emblematic Fougère perfume accord through the mint note. At the heart of the composition, mint, with its fresh aroma, highlights the vibrant, floral notes of geranium. A hint of patchouli soothes this duo with its warmth and depth. Eau de Minthé is a mystical dream that fills the air with a pulsating fragrant aura.
Myriam Badault on Eau de Minthé
The perfume was inspired by a scent memory, a scent trail in the entrance area of a building and in an elevator. What captivated me was the contrast between the classic scent combined with a modern and aromatic freshness; in my mind, I stored this perception as "enveloping" mint. The story of Eau de Minthé comes from the ingredient of mint itself. I like to tell stories and share my discoveries with others; mythology and antiquity are among our greatest inspirations, and so we found this particularly beautiful story about the nymph Minthé and her affair with Hades. I own an entire collection of comics based on myths, by the young author Clotilde Bruneau. We asked her to write the storyboard for the film. A special and enriching experience.
Both modern and familiar, depending on your age. Some, born in the 70s, associate the scent with familiar men's fragrances, others, somewhat younger, with barbershop scents and freshness. I wanted to explore the Fougère universe with a modern twist and with some references to our tradition (the brand's English roots, the barbershop soap sold in the Saint-Germain store in the early 60s...) as well as realizing my fixed idea of using mint.
I decided to work with Fabrice because I knew his love for this olfactory universe. We've known each other for 15 years, and he often told me stories about his father's work (his father is a perfumer), about the emotional connection to the Fougère family and all the memories it evokes. Like Proust's madeleines and, in a way, an opportunity to tell another story in a modern way. Furthermore, I think Fabrice is someone who can think outside the box and also polish icons, as he did with tuberose in Do Son.
There's no particular reason. Perhaps you know that we don't do market research; DIPTYQUE is guided by creation. We have nothing comparable in our collection; it was about exploring a new olfactory landscape.
What are the main ingredients?
DIPTYQUE fragrances usually have a "fragrance accident." Which one did you choose for Eau de Minthé, Fabrice Pellegrin?
Fabrice: Mint, of course, for modernity, but also a more traditional geranium and patchouli duet to follow the authentic Fougère structure. I used rose oxide as a more modern "fragrance accident." It brings in its vibrant and modern aura to create a scent twist.