Les Essences de Diptyque: The New Olfactory Journey That Redefines Nature’s Elements

Diptyque has long been revered for its luxurious fragrances that not only tantalize the senses but also evoke a sense of armchair travel—transporting wearers to different landscapes and times through scent. With iconic perfumes like L’Eau Papier, Eau Capitale, and Philosykos, the French fragrance house has consistently captured the hearts of scent lovers worldwide. But now, Diptyque embarks on a new journey with Les Essences de Diptyque, a groundbreaking collection that explores the abstract, offering something truly unique for the discerning fragrance aficionado.

Video Credit: Diptyque Paris. https://www.diptyqueparis.com/en_us/l/fragrances/collections/the-essences-of-diptyque.html

The Genesis of a Conceptual Olfactory Journey

Launched just this month, Les Essences de Diptyque represents an ambitious step for the maison. This new collection does not draw from the usual floral bouquets, fruity notes, or familiar woodsy bases. Instead, it derives inspiration from natural elements that are scentless: coral, mother-of-pearl, bark, waterlily, and desert rose crystals. While these elements themselves have no perceivable scent, Diptyque’s team of perfumers has crafted imaginative interpretations, bringing to life an olfactory experience unlike anything previously known.

This collection signifies a marriage between the natural world and the abstract, which is fitting given Diptyque’s origins in both visual and olfactory arts. The collaborative spirit of the maison’s founders, Christiane Gautrot, Desmond Knox-Leet, and Yves Coueslant, is echoed in this new line through the involvement of four world-renowned perfumers: Fabrice Pellegrin, Alexandra Carlin, Nathalie Gracia-Cetto, and the late Olivier Pescheux, who sadly passed in July 2023. This unity between art and scent lies at the heart of Les Essences de Diptyque.

Meet the Fragrances: Five Odes to Nature’s Wonders

Corail Oscuro – A mesmerizing blend of floral and mineral notes, this scent captures the raw beauty of coral reefs, despite coral itself being scentless. Alexandra Carlin infuses this perfume with mandarin, grown sustainably in Madagascar. The resulting fragrance is entirely traceable, biodegradable, and renewable, embodying Diptyque’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Lunamaris – A spicy interpretation of mother-of-pearl, Lunamaris features rockrose, a rare ingredient cultivated in Andalusia. Perfumier Fabrice Pellegrin sourced the rockrose from local communities that practice a sustainable harvest cycle. The resulting perfume is a nod to the natural cycles of our planet, reinforcing Diptyque’s ethos of working in harmony with nature.
Bois Corsé – Inspired by the rugged beauty of tree bark, Bois Corse is a woody amber fragrance co-crafted by Nathalie Cetto and Olivier Pescheux. Its standout ingredient, sandalwood, is grown by Aboriginal communities and sustainably harvested in partnership with a foundation that safeguards their cultural heritage. The scent’s earthy warmth offers a grounding connection to nature’s resilience.
Lilyphéa – Evoking the serene beauty of water lilies, Lilyphéa is a verdant, vanilla-forward fragrance that transports you to a tranquil lakeside. Sourced from Madagascar, the vanilla used in this perfume is both Ecocert-certified and traceable. It is produced as part of rural development programs that combat food insecurity while promoting education.
Rose Roche – The final scent in the collection is a stunning floral-citrus fragrance inspired by desert rose crystals. Fabrice Pellegrin crafted Rose Roche with Italian-sourced lemons from private groves steeped in family tradition. The bright, zesty notes bring to life the sharp yet delicate beauty of this mineral formation.

Corail Oscuro, Lunamaris and Bois Corsé Eaux de Parfum

Lilyphéa – Eau de parfum

Rose Roche – Eau de parfum

The Bottles: Art Beyond the Scent

No Diptyque fragrance would be complete without its visual counterpart. For Les Essences de Diptyque, the maison enlisted Irish artist Nigel Peake to create stunning abstract illustrations that adorn each bottle. These designs evoke the very elements that inspired the scents, with each bottle featuring Peake’s tactile black line work in relief. This adds a layer of accessibility—those who close their eyes can still feel the differences between the bottles, offering a unique multisensory experience.

The bottles also feature Diptyque’s signature oval emblem, harking back to the maison’s first perfume bottles from 1968. However, the refillable glass bottles in Les Essences reflect a modern twist on this classic, blending heritage with contemporary innovation. The maison’s respect for artistry extends beyond just the fragrances themselves, making each bottle a collectible work of art.

Why Les Essences de Diptyque Stands Apart

So, what makes this new collection so different from the rest of Diptyque’s offerings—or indeed, from anything else in the fragrance world today? For one, Les Essences pushes the boundaries of olfactory imagination. While many perfumes draw from common scent profiles, Les Essences dares to venture into uncharted territory by transforming unscented elements into rich, evocative fragrances.

In addition, this collection is marked by a higher concentration of ingredients than other Diptyque fragrances, offering greater longevity and a more intense scent experience. Diptyque CEO Laurence Semichon explains, “We are conveying to people scents that they do not know… Even if there is no reference point, these are elements that have no reference point for people personally.” This focus on creating something entirely new has allowed Diptyque’s perfumers to take unprecedented creative liberties.

A Tip for Fragrance Lovers: How to Wear Les Essences de Diptyque

If you’re planning to make one of these exquisite scents part of your collection, here’s a pro tip: wear Les Essences de Diptyque alone to experience their full complexity or layer them with other fragrances for a unique combination. The strong sillage and lasting power of each scent make them ideal for layering with lighter colognes or florals, creating a personalized signature scent.

Set of 5 eaux de parfum – Les Essences de Diptyque

What the Media Hasn’t Told You: Diptyque’s Sustainability Pledge

One aspect of this new collection that hasn’t been widely covered is Diptyque’s unwavering dedication to sustainability. Each fragrance in Les Essences de Diptyque is created using eco-friendly methods, with a focus on traceability and biodegradability. Diptyque’s partnership with Aboriginal communities in sandalwood cultivation, as well as its collaboration with rural education initiatives in Madagascar, underscores the brand’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility. This is more than just perfume—it’s a conscious step toward a more sustainable future for luxury fragrances.

In Conclusion

Les Essences de Diptyque represents an exciting new chapter for the maison, blending artistic vision with olfactory innovation. From its eco-conscious ingredients to its abstract scent profiles, this collection dares to do what few fragrance houses have attempted. As Diptyque fans and fragrance lovers alike explore these new scents, they will find themselves transported to new realms, guided by the elements of nature itself.

For more on Diptyque and to shop the collection, visit the official Diptyque website and experience Les Essences first hand. Your next olfactory journey awaits!

Header Photo Credit: Diptyque Paris. Set of 5 eaux de parfum – Les Essences de Diptyque

About the Author

Isabelle Karamooz, Founder of FQM is originally from Versailles, France. Isabelle harbored a lifelong fascination with exploring the world. Her journey began at 17 when she seized the opportunity to study abroad in Rhonda, Spain, igniting a passion for travel that took her across continents. From vibrant Hong Kong to picturesque Ireland, from the historic streets of Italy to the enchanting landscapes of Morocco, she embraced diverse cultures and experiences, truly embodying the spirit of a global citizen. After several years of exploration, Isabelle found a sense of home in Los Angeles, where she immersed herself in the vibrant cultural scene while working at the French Consulate. With a deep-seated love for the arts and history, she pursued her academic endeavors, earning a Bachelor's degree in History from the University of California, Berkeley. Furthering her dedication to education, she has studied to pursue a Master's program in teaching at the University of Southern California, eventually sharing her knowledge and passion as a French instructor for aspiring students at UNLV and CSN in Nevada. Driven by her passion for storytelling and cultural exchange, Isabelle founded French Quarter Magazine, where she serves as the Editor-in-Chief. In this role, she orchestrates the publication's diverse content, from conducting interviews and pitching story ideas to capturing captivating moments through photography. Currently, she is channeling her creative energies into her first English-language work, a novel that delves into the compelling life of Coco Chanel. Filled with adventure, intrigue, and a touch of romance, her debut novel promises to captivate readers with its rich tapestry of history and emotion.