Move over, Clive Christian—you've got company in the ranks of priciest perfumes.
Yesterday, FabSugar and I went to an event previewing an upcoming Marie Antoinette exhibition at San Francisco's Legion of Honor. It was there that I was able to smell Marie Antoinette Sillage de la Reine, a luxurious fragrance that costs $900 for 25ml.
Marie Antoinette Sillage de la Reine was created by French perfume maker Francis Kurkdjian, who recreated Marie Antoinette's signature fragrance. In that sense, it's a ghost of a perfume, but the scent is anything but faint. To see what went inside this limited-edition perfume, read more
Kurkdjian based his work on A Scented Palace: The Secret History of Marie-Antoinette’s Perfumer by Elizabeth Feydeau. The book explores the notes of the queen's Versailles perfumer, and from this information Kurkdjian was able to recreate her beloved scent.
The fragrance is entirely natural, which is why it was initially a bit strong for Fab and me. But it does smell very regal—as it should, of course. It contains rose, iris, cut jasmine, tuberose and orange blossom. Woody touches of cedar and sandalwood are also present, with the sandalwood more fragrant to my nose than the cedar. Additionally, it has notes of Tonkin musk (that's, um, the content of Himalayan goats' glands) and grey amber.
It was such a wonderful treat to smell such a rare fragrance, and it did transport me into another time (if only for a moment). If you are the kind of high roller who wants to smell like a queen, you'll be able to purchase Marie Antoinette Sillage de la Reine this fall from the de Young/Legion of Honor Museum Store in San Francisco. Proceeds from the perfume's sale will help restore an area used by Marie-Antoinette at Versailles.
Finally, if you think $900 is expensive, wait until you hear how much the "prestige" edition cost. Decanted into a Baccarat crystal container, and limited to only 10 worldwide, it sells abroad for 8,000 euros—just over $11,000. In contrast, $900 is a bargain, eh?
Rocket Dog
mytheresa
Rusty Neal
I really want to smell this. Even though I hated the movie I still think she was fascinating and it would be interesting to smell it.
1RIDICULOUS!
2I'm glad I'm not the only who hated the movie....But I am interested in the scent.
3Can you just send me a whiff on a piece of paper? Damn that's just crazy expensive!
4wow, i must admit that's pretty cool. Wayy too pricey but then again it's suppose to be fit for a queen
5I'd love to smell this fragrance, just a small drop!
6I would also love to smell this perfume. For $900 it better be amazing!lol.
7I wouldn't mind smelling it, that's for sure. But for that price, I'd rather invest in some MA-inspired Manolos
8I loved the movie and love anything to do with Marie Antoinette, but $900, don't think so.
9What, $900? That is crazy talk, people!!
10I wish I could smell it! I am also now interested in the book this man based his work on, as it is said to be a fairly accurate depiction of the way of life back then - including beauty secrets!
11WTF! I could smell the same with a knockoff for $5!
12$900? Like I would like to smell that and see if it's worth it!
13I hated the movie.But I think she was pretty cool.Lol I don't think she was a really bad person.
$900? Like I would like to smell that and see if it's worth it!
14I hated the movie.But I think she was pretty cool.Lol I don't think she was a really bad person.
i would like to smell it first before spending 900 dollars on it!
15Cool idea, waaaaay outta my price range.
16that's so much money, and I can't even imagine that it smells good! i bet it's really overpowering, if it's anything like the real marie antoinette!!
17I'm late on this one...but I loved the movie, and anything to do with her. I'd prob spend that much if it was the actual perfume from that time period LOL
18$900 for something that looks like my grandma's Charlie? no thanks...
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