Foreword
Eau De Pierlot is a bit of an olfactory milestone for me. And I’ve had a couple of them before. This cologne in question symbolises a point where I really fell in love with a fragrance. I had liked perfume or “aftershaves” when I was a teenager, and they weren’t particularly anything that captivated me. But something about this one passionately grabbed hold in that way that way only perfume can.
Eau De Pierlot is one third of a series of classic cologne fragrances by Claudie Pierlot—French fashion designer admired for her youthful, chic urban tailoring. I don’t know if this particular perfume could be described in the same way, however it is a beautiful piece of work on its own.
When in Rome
It was by sheer chance and surprise Eau De Pierlot passed my nose. I found it in the stylish perfume shop Pantheon70 in Rome two years ago. I was wandering the streets, and enjoying the best coffee of my life, when I noticed the place. I had to go in.
The Sales Assistant was trying his hardest to find a patchouli odour, per my request. I had no idea why, but the material popped into my head. I was giving up after half an hour – which felt like I was being more of a nuisance than a customer. Nothing was interesting me. I hummed and haa’ed too much. He asked me what I thought of fresh citrus fragrances, so I gave in and took a whiff of the mouillette.
Eau De Pierlot
On that first inhale of the warm blooming flowers I was captivated. I had never before smelled something so rich and deep from a citrus odour before. Having smelled countless citrus smells before in everyday passing and from the odd perfume, I couldn’t understand exactly what was under my nose, but I was fixed.
Eau de Pierlot opens with a softly sparkling zesty bite. There’s a lot of citrus going on but it never feels grapefruit, lemon or washing-up liquid-like. It continues to hold on to a subtle hint of its opening throughout the day, but after things calm down and begin to settle, this is where I think Eau de Pierlot really stands on its own.
It has a soapy quality to it that I adore. Wearing it, I feel clean more in that sense rather than a citrus refreshing sense. Like I’ve washed with luxurious traditional soap, rather than cheap imposturous shower gel. It smells refined, highly considered and a little bit posh. I don’t think it’s familiar, in that it smells like anything else. The use of coumarin really mellows out an expected tanginess you’d see from other classic eau de colognes.
At times it can feel a little over powering, that the soapy bubbles are perhaps bubbling over, but with anything, a sensible application should set this one at ease all day.
The memories
Two years later my adoration has bloomed for Eau De Pierlot. I’ve come to depend on it somewhat. The Parisian crafted flacon, heavy, elegant and simple has seen me through job interviews, nights out and days in the office. I always feel confident and sure wearing it. Which yeah, blah blah blah perfume does, but—this actually does.
It seemed fitting that in the evening of the day I bought Eau De Pierlot I was standing among the orange groves atop Palatine Hill. I can recall that day any time I spray this on. For me, it really is one of those transporting fragrances. To a time and a place. A somewhat warm January evening in Rome. When I had the best company I could have ever had. I learned all about ancient Rome from a sketchy tour-guide. The sky was blue, some clouds were out, but man o man, what a happy coincidence that whilst the flowers of the bitter orange tree were not in bloom, my spirits were.
What do you think?
What was your first real fall-in-love-with scent? Do you like soapy, refined colognes? Heck, forget perfume, have you been to Rome? How amazing a place is it!
