Shalimar: The Taj Mahal in the base note of the precious oriental fragrance. Carnal temptation, desire, mystery, otherworldliness... this is how the beautiful Shalimar is described by Guerlain at its release, in 1925. Created by Jacques Guerlain around an original and originating accord of vanillin molecules, the mysterious and enchanting Shalimar would become the very first fragrance dubbed oriental in history.
Created in 1925, Shalimar by Guerlain is one of the oldest fragrances still sold today. Celebrating the Art Deco style, it is crafted from precious materials and rare essences. Moreover, at a time when populations still rarely left their home country, it is an evocation of a distant elsewhere. As an anecdote, it is inspired by an Indian love story, and seems to bring back from that land all its oriental and spicy charm. Famous for its warm and enchanting breath, it is also captivating in its beauty, with a timeless bottle. Here is more detail on its lovely bottle.
The gardens of Shalimar as a source of inspiration
The fragrance Shalimar takes us back to the 17th century, at the heart of India, when Emperor Shah Jahan felt a mad love for one of his companions, Mumtaz Mahal. Both of them enjoyed strolling regularly through the gardens of Shalimar, filled with countless flowers and fountains. However, a tragic fate awaited them... The young woman died while giving birth to one of their children. Mad with grief, Shah Jahan had the most beautiful of mausoleums built for her, now known as the Taj Mahal. Now, it is precisely from this unique place that the Shalimar bottle draws its inspiration. Its blue cap does not only take the shape of a fan. It is meant to resemble water gushing from a fountain, like those found in the gardens in question. Likewise, in a register still very oriental, the label bearing its name is cut in the manner of the stucco that traditionally decorates Indian buildings.
The very Art Deco style of the Shalimar bottle
Beyond this source of inspiration, it must be acknowledged that this visual is fully rooted in the style of its era. It takes us back to the early 1920s, in the midst of the Roaring Twenties in Paris. At that time, the fan was one of the most fashionable accessories. It is therefore only logical that the small cap atop Shalimar takes this shape. The rest is a golden amphora, like a basin on a chiseled stand, itself also inspired by the movement of water from a fountain. A small pendant is attached at its neck, while its name is inscribed on a golden label, perfectly matched to the color of its juice.
A bottle designed by Raymond Guerlain and Baccarat
The Shalimar bottle was designed in 1925 by Raymond Guerlain, in collaboration with the prestigious house of Baccarat. It is thus a plunge into French history and bears witness to unrivaled craftsmanship. The fruit of a very rich heritage, it also won the prize at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 1925. Although nearly a century old, it has never been modified. It also contributes fully to the prestige and full renown of Guerlain's Shalimar fragrance. Far more than a simple bottle, it stands as testimony to an entire era.