Kenzo Takada used to say: I absolutely love flowers. Thus, when the world moved into a new millennium, in 2000, he decided to draw on this natural element to create a fragrance. This is how, in collaboration with master perfumer Alberto Morillas, he imagined Flower by Kenzo. 22 years after its release, the fame of this fragrance endures. Its poppy scent has crossed the decades. In 2022, its personality becomes spicier and reinvents itself, to become Flower by Kenzo L'Absolue.
Flower by Kenzo is a true legend of feminine perfumery, whose fame is such that it no longer needs an introduction. Created at the dawn of the transition to the year 2000, it owes its existence to one of the greatest perfumers on the planet: Alberto Morillas. And it is once again to him that the house of Kenzo turned, in 2022, to reinvent its best-seller. This time, it becomes Flower by Kenzo L'Absolue and is presented as a spicier and more sensual fragrance. Moreover, it is also more committed. Here is our review of this creation inspired by the poppy.
Olfastory’s review
The new, more luxurious and spicy scent of Flower by Kenzo L'Absolue
Flower by Kenzo L'Absolue is a more intense, vibrant, and provocative fragrance than before. To achieve this warmer scent, Kenzo relies on a very specific ingredient, appearing right from its top notes: saffron. In other words, to perfect its recipe, Kenzo pulled out all the stops. Indeed, saffron is also nicknamed red gold. It is one of the most luxurious ingredients in the world. With the addition of this element, Flower by Kenzo L'Absolue undeniably places itself within the register of fine perfumery. Added to this is a luminous bouquet of orange blossom and Damask rose absolute. Vanilla, for its part, wraps its base in a sweet breath, paired with that of white musks.
A timeless bottle
As for the bottle, however, the changes are minimal. Indeed, Flower by Kenzo L'Absolue preserves the shape of its predecessor. More specifically, it is a transparent, slender glass silhouette. Both sturdy and fragile at once, this bottle brings to mind a poppy bending slightly in the wind. Moreover, the poppy's petals unfold at its top, standing above a calligraphed stem. Here, this is a subtle nod to Kenzo's Japanese origins. Another original touch: the Flower by Kenzo L'Absolue bottle displays a different curve depending on its size. Despite its 22 years of existence, the magic still works!
The poppy, an always highly original inspiration
As usual, the poppy remains the source of inspiration for this collection. This wildflower literally fascinates the house of Kenzo and once again captivates us with its optimism. Flower by Kenzo L'Absolue therefore has the particularity of drawing on a flower that is completely odorless in nature. Far more than a traditional soliflore, this fragrance is a metaphorical image of the poppy. It is therefore an enchanting fragrance, which fully intends to spread its dose of joie de vivre wherever it goes!
The committed advertising of Flower by Kenzo L'Absolue
Finally, in terms of advertising, Flower by Kenzo L'Absolue also introduces a new face of the campaign, in the person of Masami Charlotte Lavault. This choice was of course not made at random. The young woman is not only of French-Japanese origin, but she is also a highly committed floriculturist. She is the one who opened the first flower farm in Paris, in 2007. In this unique place, Masami Charlotte Lavault grows flowers from all over the world without any fertilizer or pesticide. Making her the new face of Flower by Kenzo L'Absolue seemed like an obvious choice!