Kouros, come test its power of attraction. It was in July 1961 that Yves Saint-Laurent, together with Pierre Bergé, decided to create his own haute couture house. Yves Saint-Laurent reinvented the modern woman by drawing inspiration from the classics of the men's wardrobe.
Released in 1981, Kouros achieved immediate success. Ultra virile, even macho, Kouros presented itself as the fragrance of strong men, echoing the Greek gods. Kouros parades, without question, in the daring spirit of Yves Saint Laurent, who liked to stand out and assert his own personality. The masculine fragrance for men par excellence, Kouros' power placed it at the top of the podium as soon as it launched. Kouros, a statue depicting a young man with an entirely nude body, enters legend thanks to the talent of Pierre Bourdon.
Kouros, a masculine olfactory innovation signed Pierre Bourdon
In order to craft a composition as virile as it is sexy, Yves Saint Laurent called on Pierre Bourdon. His father, René Bourdon, was deputy director of Dior perfumes, so it is fair to say that young Pierre was raised with a love of scents. His encounter with Edmond Roudnitska changed the course of Pierre Bourdon's destiny, as he had initially been headed for a literary career. After five years of training at the Roure perfumery (in Grasse), Pierre Bourdon took flight. He is regarded as a man with a great artistic sensibility, yet discreet. He favors simple formulas and never clutters his compositions with unnecessary ingredients. Over the course of his career, he devised very different compositions, thus proving his remarkable versatility. Pierre Bourdon is responsible for great fragrances such as Dolce Vita by Christian Dior, and Magnetism by Escada.
The Kouros fragrance, seduction again and again
With Kouros, one steps directly into the game of seduction. Conquering and provocative, the Kouros man exudes unmatched charisma. Kouros, with its immaculate white bottle, resembles a god from another time. Kouros takes flight on notes that are not only sparkling but also aromatic, combining laurel, bergamot and mugwort, all enhanced by coriander. Mugwort is an aromatic herbaceous plant. It comes from temperate European climates and thrives in sunny soils. While mugwort is found in food, it is also highly prized in perfumery. It is used in masculine compositions because it conveys a very virile aspect. It offers tonalities that are at once camphorous, bitter, fresh and herbaceous. Then, the heart of Kouros develops toward highly spicy floral tonalities, combining carnation, jasmine and geranium paired with cinnamon. Geranium originates from South Africa and generally grows in the wild. Geranium essential oil is obtained through steam distillation of the leaves and stems before flowering. In perfumery, geranium is often used in masculine fragrances. It gives off tonalities that are both minty and spicy. Finally, the base of Kouros is one of triumphant sensuality, beautifully combining ambergris, white musks, patchouli and vetiver… A conquering fragrance that leaves a divinely powerful sillage, one of the greatest successes of the house of Yves Saint Laurent.