Y Femme

Y, the olfactory code of Yves Saint-Laurent

The birth of the perfume Y

The perfume Y made its appearance many years ago: in 1964. Its story takes place at the heart of the Yves Saint-Laurent boutique, on Rue Spontini. Indeed, it was there that customers were surprised to discover, on a spring day, a long floral cloth displaying a giant Y. This was Yves Saint-Laurent's idea for presenting his new fragrant creation. Such a staging was necessary because Y was the very first perfume of the house of Yves Saint-Laurent. It thus marked the transition from Haute Couture to Haute Parfumerie. This fragrance embodies the entire spirit of the couturier. Moreover, this is summed up in a single letter, none other than the initial of his first name. Y embodies the minimalist and perfectionist spirit of Yves Saint-Laurent. It seems designed to enhance the house's couture creations. It embodies a disarming and elegant naturalness. It is a symbol of charm and perfection. In fact, the story goes that it was inspired by one of the most beautiful women in the world, Betty Catroux, a former model, a close friend of Yves Saint-Laurent and often featured in the house's runway shows.

The first juice of Yves Saint-Laurent

It was to the perfumer Michel Hy that Yves Saint-Laurent turned to create his very first perfume. Y is a highly refined juice. Its scent opens with a very energizing burst based on Italian bergamot zests. This tangy ingredient is paired with a more velvety aspect coming from peach. Then, Y evolves toward more green tonalities. The natural and authentic presence of galbanum can be noticed here. Its femininity, meanwhile, comes through in a huge bouquet of Bulgarian rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, tuberose and lily. This refinement perfectly symbolizes the couture spirit of the house of Yves Saint-Laurent. Likewise, Y contains one of the noblest ingredients in the entire perfumer's palette: iris. It appears in the base and is accompanied by chypre and amber accents. Y then concludes with a breath of vetiver, patchouli and oakmoss. As for the bottle, Y is just as understated as its name. This perfume is housed in a solid glass block with an androgynous style. The creator's initial is engraved directly into its flesh-colored lacquer. The whole thus conveys the sensuality of bare skin.

The Eau de Toilette Y by Yves Saint Laurent

Y, the first perfume by Yves Saint Laurent, embodies the luxury and perfection of an elegant, timeless and refined sillage. Yves Saint Laurent gave it the initial of his first name, already inviting women to express their masculine side, to assert themselves in a strong, liberated identity.

Elegance, sensuality, subversion of codes, tension between the masculine and the feminine as if tamed in this perfume with clarity and softness.

The opening is fresh, almost cold, with the presence of a sharp spicy note paired with the freshness of bergamot. Then come white floral notes, sumptuous and silky. A flower with woody accents, iris structures this perfume: it is its heart. The base opens on an oakmoss note that signs the elegance of chypres, paired with patchouli. A deep, vibrant, intense wood, it accompanies the floral note to create a mysterious, nervy sillage with a remarkable presence.

Notes: Peach, Aldehydes, Gardenia, Honeysuckle, Narcissus, Hyacinth, Rose, Iris, Patchouli, Vetiver, Civet, Benzoin.