Antaeus

In 1955, Gabrielle Chanel ventured into perfumery for men. She decided to pay them a true tribute by creating “Pour Monsieur”. In 1981, at a time when everyone was passionate about Greek mythology, Chanel released “Antaeus”, a committed fragrance with a strong concept. “Antaeus” is the symbol of a masculinity that is both powerful and sensitive.

Antaeus, or the myth of a hero

“Antaeus” is the story of a Greek hero. Son of Gaia and Poseidon, Antaeus is half god, half human. Antaeus attacked and stripped all the strangers who passed through his lands. He was killed by Heracles. With “Antaeus”, Chanel creates a fragrance in which the power of a myth is set against the sensitivity of a man. Powerful as a god and tender as a man, “Antaeus” tells the story of an olfactory duality, the duality between earthly gentleness and divine strength. The man who wears “Antaeus” manages to harmonize his power and his delicacy. This man is virile and extroverted; he likes women to admire his body. Yet behind his armor and his confidence, “Antaeus” conceals mysteries, a certain subtlety, even a vulnerability that he does not show to everyone… It is for the wearer to discover!

The contrasting notes of Antaeus

Chanel wanted to create a fragrance of contrast. What stands out in “Antaeus” is the duality of its character. Here, the leather/aromatic accord is subtle and evokes the entire myth of our vulnerable hero. “Antaeus” opens on herbaceous notes such as myrtle and clary sage. These are enhanced by lavender from the Hautes-Alpes. The heart turns floral, notably with jasmine and rose, which gives the composition an elegant and feminine touch. The base is warm, with the presence of patchouli, Haitian vetiver, and Mysore sandalwood. Everything is elegantly bound together by tonka bean and labdanum cistus. A leather accord elevates the whole and lends it a torrid strength. As for the bottle, it presents clean lines and a square structure. Its black color is very luminous and intense. It perfectly reflects the image of the hero imagined by Chanel. Looking closely at the bottle, it also reflects subtle violet glints, a symbol of our handsome hero's share of sensitivity.

In 1991, Chanel launched “Antaeus”. Inspired by Greek mythology, Antaeus is half god, half man. This hero fascinates through his undisputed strength, but also through his share of gentleness. The story of Chanel's hero is retold here with great fidelity. A leather accord that contrasts with aromatic notes makes Antaeus a fragrance of duality, in the image of the Greek hero's character.