The White Patchouli fragrance, Tom Ford's floral sensuality. Tom Ford likes to offer singular and complex fragrances created from rare raw materials. There was the magnificent Black Orchid, and since 2008 there has been White Patchouli, two fragrances where opposites attract and meet, never to part again.
White Patchouli was born in 2008 and puts patchouli in the spotlight. Based on “orpur” patchouli, White Patchouli is illuminated by white flowers. Here, patchouli reveals all its facets and appears by turns dazzling, woody, aromatic, fresh or luminous. According to Tom Ford, the bohemian spirit of patchouli gives it a mysterious power, but also makes it dark and heavy. White Patchouli is an enigmatic fragrance that reveals its secrets little by little. With White Patchouli, Tom Ford delivers one of the most unexpected fragrances!
A duo of perfumers behind White Patchouli
To create this extraordinary fragrance, Tom Ford chose a duo of perfumers, namely Pierre Négrin and Rodrigo Flores-Roux. Born in Grasse, Pierre Négrin lives in the United States. He began his career at Givaudan New York and currently works at Firmenich. He enjoys working with natural and noble materials. In 1990, Pierre Négrin received the International Prize for Perfume Creation from the Société Française des Parfumeurs. Pierre Négrin is responsible for beautiful fragrances such as Encounter by Calvin Klein and Polo Black by Ralph Lauren. Rodrigo Flores-Roux was born in Mexico. In 1989, he nevertheless managed to enter the prestigious perfumery school, ISIPCA. He began his career at IFF (International Flavors & Fragrances), before joining Givaudan. Rodrigo Flores-Roux is responsible for beautiful fragrances such as Reveal Men by Calvin Klein and Néroli Portofino by Tom Ford.
Patchouli reigns supreme at the heart of the White Patchouli fragrance
Originally from Indonesia, patchouli became known in England during the Victorian era. Its leaves were then used in potpourri to protect clothing. It was in 1850 that patchouli attracted attention in France. At that time, patchouli was placed inside packages of shawls coming from Indonesia. Patchouli then protected them from moths. This powerful scent was seized upon by those known as the “cocottes parisiennes”. Because the mistresses of wealthy men used it to lure men into their beds, patchouli was labeled the “antechamber of hell”. It would take until the 1960s and 70s for patchouli to enjoy its heyday. Associated with the hippie movement and “flower power”, patchouli became linked to sexual liberation. Today, patchouli is considered a rare and noble material. Rich and powerful, patchouli can boast of having been incorporated into numerous olfactory compositions. It gives off woody, earthy, camphorous and intense tonalities. White Patchouli opens with notes of bergamot mingled with the beauty of peony and a few white flowers, then heightened by coriander. Then, the heart of White Patchouli becomes highly floral thanks to the presence of rose, though its femininity is unsettled by the sensuality of ambrette. The base is as powerful as it is enveloping thanks to the presence of patchouli, incense and woody notes.