• Anti-Spam Policy
  • Copyright Notice
  • DMCA Compliance
  • Earnings Disclaimer
  • Fair Use Disclaimer
  • FTC Compliance
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Social Media Disclaimer
  • Terms and Conditions
HollywoodNewsHub.com
  • Home
    • About
  • News & Gossip
  • Movies
  • Television
  • Music
  • Fashion
  • Horror
  • Trailers
  • Contact
  • Home
    • About
  • News & Gossip
  • Movies
  • Television
  • Music
  • Fashion
  • Horror
  • Trailers
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
HollywoodNewsHub.com
No Result
View All Result

How and Where Chanel No. 5 is Made

by admin
May 20, 2022
in Fashion
How and Where Chanel No. 5 is Made


Photography courtesy of Chanel

An expedition to Grasse, the heart of French perfumery, uncovers the secrets behind one of the world’s most-sought-after scents.

By
Wing Sze Tang

Date May 20, 2022

Spritz a fine mist of Chanel No. 5 and you won’t be reminded of a flower. Launched in 1921, the fragrance famously doesn’t evoke one. Rather, one might say it smells like abstract art — a composition beyond nature, a rebellion against the demure (and, frankly, dull) lily of the valley-centric zeitgeist of its time. Instead, it produces an intense hit of powdery, soapy cleanness, which is the result of a lavish dose of aldehydes. To borrow Coco Chanel’s blunt brief to her genius perfumer, Ernest Beaux: It smells like the scent of a woman and nothing else. However, it’s not a contradiction to say that the fragrance couldn’t be what it is without flowers — most crucially its signature jasmine, and not from just anywhere. As for how Chanel No. 5 is made, the parfum, exactly as it exists today, is only possible because of what blossoms under the cover of night on one very specific, inconspicuous 20-hectare farm — findable only if you know where to look — in the luminous village of Pégomas (population: around 8,000), in the arrondissement of Grasse, the world’s long-reigning perfume capital.

how chanel no. 5 is made
Photography by Wing Sze Tang

“This jasmine has a specific scent that cannot be reproduced elsewhere,” explains Joseph Mul, patriarch of the family-owned estate that has exclusively supplied Chanel for decades. A fourth-generation flower farmer, he exudes the enthusiasm you’d expect from someone who has spent his life nurturing delicate plants, encouraging us to lean in for a whiff even though the smooth, sweet notes are already perfuming the open air.

Of course, jasmine isn’t rare, and in the world of perfumery, Egypt and India cultivate the overwhelming majority. The exotic blooms, while lovely in their own right and cheaper to obtain, are wholly different from their Grassegrown counterparts, even though the botanical species is identical. “Let me tell you,” says Mul, as if bragging about the merits of a beloved child, “this one is much milder, lighter, with slightly honeyed tones.”

Grasse’s specialness is rooted in its fertile soil and a rare idyllic microclimate; it’s bathed in plentiful sun, softened by the Mediterranean breeze from the south and sheltered by the Préalpes to the north. “It’s never too cold and never too warm,” explains head perfumer Olivier Polge, only the fourth nose in Chanel’s history. (His father, Jacques Polge, held the job for 37 years.) “Everything grows in very gentle surroundings. The flowers are not burned by the sun; they don’t frostbite. I always describe the jasmine from Grasse as fresher; there’s a tea note. The exotic jasmine is beautiful as well, but it’s more fruity, like marmalade, as if the petals were cooked by the sun.”

chanel no. 5
Photography courtesy of Chanel

Beyond the character-defining effects of the weather, the local savoir faire is just as essential, inspiring UNESCO to add Grasse’s perfumery tradition to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2018. Passed down through generations, the skills are as much an art as a science. In addition to a basic grasp of horticulture, extraction and distillation methods, “the art calls for imagination, memory and creativity,” the agency noted.

If you want to know how Chanel No. 5 is made, you need to know the quirks of jasmine and how its star-shaped white blossoms unfurl at nightfall and must be harvested before the fragrant oil wanes at daybreak. From August to October, the ritual begins at earliest dawn: Shaded by brimmed hats and scarves and armed with wicker baskets, Mul’s pickers can harvest the whole field within two mornings before starting anew.

It’s no small feat given that the fragile petals must be plucked one by one and with sleight of hand. (The petal resists if pinched.) While the method may sound inefficiently old school, mechanical harvesting won’t work. By the time the sun is at its peak, crates piled with jasmine petals are spirited away to the processing facilities, located close by to maximize the flower’s freshness as much as possible. The daily haul is around 100 to 150 kilograms, or the equivalent of more than one million flowers.

how chanel no. 5 is made
Photography by Wing Sze Tang

It takes about 330 kilograms of jasmine to get a mere 600 grams of absolute, the ultra-concentrated liquid needed to make Chanel No. 5. You don’t have to do the math to know the supply of Grasse jasmine is scant. There’s enough to formulate No. 5’s grands extraits (the most concentrated in the collection) in their entirety, but other interpretations of the juice include jasmine that’s grown elsewhere, too.

The downside of Grasse’s dreamy French Riviera location is that local farmland is gradually giving way to property development. “The region has completely changed,” says Polge. “When my grandparents lived here, there was no tourism.” The younger generation have also been leaving for cities like Paris, having decided they don’t want a life in the fields. Sensing the existential threat to No. 5, Jacques Polge had the forethought to strike an exclusivity deal with Mul’s farm back in 1987, securing a source of the local ingredient so key to the perfume’s soul. This past August, in a bid to protect more land for its jasmine and other flowers, Chanel announced that it had purchased another 10 hectares in southern France.

how and where chanel no. 5 is made
Photography by Wing Sze Tang

As with any art form, perfumes reflect the spirit of their era. So, the riddle of why No. 5 still resonates — why it’s still the world’s most famous perfume more than 100 years later — is naturally a matter of debate. “If this were easy to say, we would only make such iconic fragrances,” quips Polge.

Of course, there’s the legacy of luxury, glamour and popcultural impact, from Marilyn Monroe’s “nothing but No. 5” bedroom attire to Andy Warhol’s iconic prints to present-day muses such as Marion Cotillard. There’s the technical brilliance of the scent itself, lauded as “a masterpiece of modernist sculpture from 1921, one you can wear,” as critic Tania Sanchez writes in her book Perfumes: The A-Z Guide.

Another not-so-small factor is the house’s scrupulous devotion to preserving the fragrance’s classic beauty. The magic of any perfume is by nature a fleeting pleasure: A single spritz soon disappears into the air, and seasonal fragrance fads are quickly forgotten. With today’s (and tomorrow’s) bottle of No. 5 parfum as true as yesterday’s, the timeless allure shows no signs of fading.

This article first appeared in FASHION’s May issue. Find out more here. 



Original Source Link

Previous Post

Lovable Robot Returns in Disney+ Animated Series

Next Post

Amber Heard accused of domestic violence against ex-girlfriend

admin

admin

Related Posts

Thrifting Tips for Spotting Rare Gems Amid the Duds
Fashion

Thrifting Tips for Spotting Rare Gems Amid the Duds

by admin
March 24, 2023
A Complete Guide For What to Wear to a Taylor Swift Concert
Fashion

A Complete Guide For What to Wear to a Taylor Swift Concert

by admin
March 24, 2023
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas Match in Tan and Black Outfits in NYC
Fashion

Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas Match in Tan and Black Outfits in NYC

by admin
March 24, 2023
This High Street Bag Just Came Back In Stock and I Bought It Immediately
Fashion

This High Street Bag Just Came Back In Stock and I Bought It Immediately

by admin
March 23, 2023
I Use Colourful Hair Extensions to Express Myself
Fashion

I Use Colourful Hair Extensions to Express Myself

by admin
March 23, 2023
Next Post
Amber Heard accused of domestic violence against ex-girlfriend

Amber Heard accused of domestic violence against ex-girlfriend

First Trailer for George Miller’s ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing’

First Trailer for George Miller's 'Three Thousand Years of Longing'

Portugal. The Man Cover Sublime’s “Santeria”: Stream

Portugal. The Man Cover Sublime's "Santeria": Stream

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT

POPULAR POSTS

UK Eurovision entry Mae Muller once appeared in a Mika video as a child

UK Eurovision entry Mae Muller once appeared in a Mika video as a child

March 11, 2023
Grown-Up Child Star Trivia Quiz

Grown-Up Child Star Trivia Quiz

March 16, 2023
Oscars 2023: Lady Gaga Will Perform ‘Hold My Hand’ From ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ After All

Oscars 2023: Lady Gaga Will Perform ‘Hold My Hand’ From ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ After All

March 12, 2023
Old Navy Fleece Shirred Sports Bra | Editor Review

Old Navy Fleece Shirred Sports Bra | Editor Review

March 15, 2023
Fanatic Feed: Kristen Bell to Headline Netflix Comedy, The Great Season 3 Date, & More

Fanatic Feed: Kristen Bell to Headline Netflix Comedy, The Great Season 3 Date, & More

March 2, 2023
Republic Records’ Alex Coslov Promoted to Dual Marketing Role – Billboard

Republic Records’ Alex Coslov Promoted to Dual Marketing Role – Billboard

March 16, 2023
It’s All for You, Damien; ‘The Omen’ Franchise Ranked

It’s All for You, Damien; ‘The Omen’ Franchise Ranked

March 24, 2023

Browse by Category

  • Books (1)
  • Business (2)
  • Events (4)
  • Fashion (1,362)
  • Horror (708)
  • Interviews (7)
  • Movies (1,365)
  • Music (1,383)
  • News & Gossip (2,027)
  • Television (1,378)
  • Trailers (1,353)
Smoothie Diet
ADVERTISEMENT

POPULAR POSTS

Little Simz unveils more details about new album ‘NO THANK YOU’

Little Simz unveils more details about new album ‘NO THANK YOU’

December 10, 2022
In Deep Blue Sequins, Reese Witherspoon Sparkles

In Deep Blue Sequins, Reese Witherspoon Sparkles

September 14, 2022
& Other Stories’ Latest Striped Knit Is So Chic

& Other Stories’ Latest Striped Knit Is So Chic

December 16, 2022
See How Call Me Kat Paid Tribute to the Career of Leslie Jordan

See How Call Me Kat Paid Tribute to the Career of Leslie Jordan

October 28, 2022

READERS' PICKS

Teaser Trailer for Ams Overton’s Space Goblins

Teaser Trailer for Ams Overton’s Space Goblins

March 8, 2023
Avril Lavigne Spotted Kissing Tyga After Mod Sun Split: Details 

Avril Lavigne Spotted Kissing Tyga After Mod Sun Split: Details 

March 7, 2023
Selena Gomez Just Revealed That Hailey Bieber Has Reached Out To Her After Receiving Death Threats Amid Their Feud

Selena Gomez Just Revealed That Hailey Bieber Has Reached Out To Her After Receiving Death Threats Amid Their Feud

March 24, 2023
‘Paint’ Trailer | Moviefone

‘Paint’ Trailer | Moviefone

March 9, 2023

EDITOR'S PICKS

Tom Sandoval, Raquel Leviss Together for 1st Time Amid Scandoval 

Tom Sandoval, Raquel Leviss Together for 1st Time Amid Scandoval 

March 24, 2023
‘Twisters’ Is No Longer a ‘Twister’ Sequel

‘Twisters’ Is No Longer a ‘Twister’ Sequel

March 18, 2023
Must See Trailer for Tommy Wiseau’s Hilarious Shark Movie ‘Big Shark’

Must See Trailer for Tommy Wiseau’s Hilarious Shark Movie ‘Big Shark’

March 24, 2023
YOU Renewed for Fifth and Final Season at Netflix

YOU Renewed for Fifth and Final Season at Netflix

March 24, 2023

© 2022 HollywoodNewsHub.com - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • About
  • News & Gossip
  • Movies
  • Television
  • Music
  • Fashion
  • Horror
  • Trailers
  • Contact

© 2022 HollywoodNewsHub.com - All Rights Reserved

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT