An aromatic fougère released in 1982 by Guy Laroche, Drakkar Noir bears the signature of Pierre Wargnye and revives the name of the 1972 Drakkar. Its metallic freshness comes from an overdose of dihydromyrcenol that the trade still discusses. Lavender, rosemary and bergamot at the opening, patchouli, leather and moss in the base, in a black lacquered bottle designed by Pierre Dinand. The label of the bottle sold today no longer lists the same moss.
Launched in 1982, the men's fragrance Drakkar Noir was not the first composition to emerge from Guy Laroche. Yet it remains the house's undisputed best-seller. In fact, it follows an earlier fragrance simply named Drakkar, intended for men of action endowed with a quiet strength. Drakkar Noir goes even further and pushes virility to its peak. Powerful and atypical, it takes the form of an aromatic fougère, by turns explosive, more herbaceous, spicy or woody. Drakkar Noir explores every olfactory register in turn. While it rests on a very rich formula, its bottle, by contrast, has a far more streamlined look. Be warned, though: this does not mean it lacks character. A breakdown of its bottle follows.
Drakkar Noir, the first fragrance to dare a fully black and opaque lacquer
While black is a color commonly associated with masculinity, before Guy Laroche, no one had dared to design a fragrance whose bottle was entirely black. In this sense, Drakkar Noir came across as a small revolution. Its sturdy silhouette and imposing stature amplify its virility, while black dresses it from head to toe. Only a few white elements appear in certain places, such as its name and the Guy Laroche signature.
While black is generally associated with nostalgia and mourning, here it is nothing of the sort. It embodies instead mystery and power. It is also, moreover, very elegant. It should not be forgotten that it is the emblematic color of tuxedos. It thus invites closeness and immediately makes one want to discover what man lies behind it.
Drakkar Noir, a contrast between virility and softness
Black is not the only notable element of this fragrance. Its shape is likewise atypical. Drakkar Noir comes in a slightly rounded container, resembling a pebble polished by the sea. It also offers a unique touch, as seductive as it is velvety. A true invitation to the hand, it seduces through its sensual curves. Yet these stand in perfect opposition to its very dark, strict black. The Drakkar Noir bottle thus echoes perfectly the fragrance held within its bottle. Indeed, Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche embodies the portrait of a wild, virile man, not devoid of a certain measure of tenderness. In a sense, he is a tough guy with a soft heart. This is what resurfaces from its bottle. The curves lend it a share of tenderness, blending the rigor of black with the softness of its lines.
As for size, Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche comes in four different spray bottle sizes. One is free to choose a 30 ml bottle to carry everywhere, or to prefer more generous sizes of 50 ml, 100 ml or 200 ml.