The newest creation by Chris Sheldrake for Serge Lutens, Cèdre (2005) is a flame caressing hot cedarwood curls. Its pairing of tuberose and cedar settles into a dark warm composition, with rather soft woodsy notes. Once again, Sheldrake&Lutens flight of fancy results in an enchanting Arabian vignette, taken from the One Thousand and One Nights. The sensual fluidity of the composition transports one from the fragrant pillows of Middle Eastern palaces through the spice stalls of the souks and into the confines of a tea house, where steam rising from the cups swirls amid heated conversations. Tuberose shimmers against the dark backdrop of resinous juices dusted with cinnamon. Heated by a hot breath of spices, the floral notes attain a clove ornamentation. This soft whisper of cloves echoes through the dark sweetness of wood. Ambery warmth suffuses the sonorous melody of the composition, adding an autumnal feel to the cedarwood foundation.
Picture: Limited edition bottle of Cèdre. Per email correspondence with the manager, it is already available from Senteurs d’Ailleurs. Cèdre is also avaiable at Aedes and the Perfume Shoppe.
Darling V! Thanks for this lovely review and I am off to Palais Royal soon to test this (hopefully today).
Thank you also for the lovely email. I will write a proper email very soon.
xoxo
Posted by: parislondres | July 18, 2005 at 05:37
Dear N, I cannot wait to hear your thoughts! If you like Lutens' take on cedar (from Boix range), this will be enchanting too. xoxo
Posted by: Victoria | July 18, 2005 at 08:52
I must admit when I heard about Cedre I thought - hmm another hamstercage disaster waiting to happen (for me - only for me :) Your review leads me to believe that this is more complex than his Bois et Fruit and Bois de Violette - true? The addition of tuberose, cinnamon and amber sound enticing so this is now a must try. At the very least- your lyrical review is spectacular - as always. Well done, V!
Posted by: Felicia | July 18, 2005 at 10:22
Dear F, thank you for your compliment! I admit that I thought that it might be too woodsy and too dry. However, the result is quite complex and unusual--soft backdrop of tuberose warming up the woods. If you like his Boix range, you will definitely find this enchanting. Bois de Violette is different, in that it is just a single note showcased amid cedar. Cèdre is the beauty of the woods ornamented masterfully by other notes.
Posted by: Victoria | July 18, 2005 at 10:34
Sounds lovely, but I am still on the fence. I am not overly fond of the SL Bois series. I love cedar, and tuberose too for that matter, but many of the SL cedars are sweeter than I like.
Posted by: Robin | July 18, 2005 at 12:02
Well, soon you will be able to see for yourself. :) It is not too sweet, but if you find Boix range to be too sweet, it might be in that category too.
Posted by: Victoria | July 18, 2005 at 13:26
Oh, you liked it? I'm now on tenterhooks to try. Your description--lovely as ever--so entices me. I am surprised to hear that tuberose is part of the medley, as the name suggests a dry, woods scent along the lines of Chene.
xoxo~~~
Posted by: Diane | July 18, 2005 at 16:59
That is exactly what I thought at first. Wood is quite soft, not at all like woods in Chêne, which I also really enjoy. The tuberose aspect really manages to shimmer against it. Quite beautiful and very autumnal.
Posted by: Victoria | July 18, 2005 at 17:03
Victoria--no fair!! You got me exploring the Rosines, but now I have to shift gears and focus on Serge??? :):):)
It's a good thing I am very particular about his creations. Seems like only a few in the exclusive range work for me. So for now, I will continue testing, wearing and loving the Rosines.
Hugs!
Posted by: mreenymo | July 18, 2005 at 18:14
R, do let me know which of Rosines you like best. I am eager to hear more of your impressions. Apologies for momentarily stirring you from the right course! :)
xoxo
Posted by: Victoria | July 18, 2005 at 22:47
Dear victoria
Thank you for your post and description.
I must confess i don't like that musch cedar wood,it always remember me the products we use to wash the wooden furnitures.
Posted by: julien | July 19, 2005 at 05:44
Julie, I can understand what you mean, however you should still try it. The woods are much softer than you would expect from a perfume named Cèdre.
Posted by: Victoria | July 19, 2005 at 07:38
Promise to try,just for you... ;)
Posted by: julien | July 19, 2005 at 07:41
Ok :)
Posted by: Victoria | July 19, 2005 at 07:54
I have tried it.
You were right.
I fell in love with that scent,so beautiful,soft as velvet...
A masterpiece,my favorite LUTENS ever!
Thank you for giving me the wanting to smell it.
Kisses dear.
Julien.
Posted by: julien | August 09, 2005 at 10:26
Dear Julien, I am glad to hear that you liked it. It is definitely very unique--rich, shimmering, with a perfect tuberose note. I thought that given your tastes, you might find it very appealing.
xoxo
Posted by: Victoria | August 09, 2005 at 10:33
And you were right...i don't know why,but it feels to me smooth like velvet,mysterious yet not cold at all.
By far,i can say now it is my favorite Lutens...
Thank you again,you know me well now my friend!:)
Posted by: julien | August 09, 2005 at 11:28
I love how Serge Lutens and Chris Sheldrake interpret these cedar notes that are typically considered very masculine. Have you tried Lutens Boix range? It is quite wonderful.
xoxo
Posted by: Victoria | August 09, 2005 at 11:33
I tested BOIS ORIENTAL,BOIS VIOLETTE,BOIS VANILLE and i guess that's all...
I don't like very much woody scents,but i must confess LUTENS is the only one who can make me love them.
My heart belongs to Guerlain,but my head to LUTENS... :)
Posted by: julien | August 09, 2005 at 11:37
I also like Bois et Fruits very much. Most Serge Lutens creations are very innovative, which is what appeals to me the most about them.
Posted by: Victoria | August 09, 2005 at 11:49
Yes...but sometimes they are hard to like.
Of course,it depends on tastes and how it works on your skin but perfumes like MUSK KOUBLAI KHAN,FUMERIE TURQUE,CUIR MAURESQUE are too hard for me...
But it's true,Lutens perfumes are pure delices.
Do you know DOUCE AMERE?
I tried it,and this is very sweet too...a kind of "Hypnotic Poison" in a much more complicated way with the amertume of Absynthe...another masterpiece of subtlety...
Posted by: julien | August 09, 2005 at 11:55
Yes, that is true. Easy to wear they are, however it is what I find appealing for some reason.
I like Douce Amere quite a bit. It is almost decadent in character.
Posted by: Victoria | August 09, 2005 at 12:31
"Decadent in character"...interesting..could you tell me more about it and explain me your point of view?
Oh please!:)
thanks...
J.
Posted by: julien | August 09, 2005 at 17:59
It is rich and smooth, with an undercurrent that changes from sweet to bitter for as long as one keeps wearing the fragrance. The decadence is in that richness over the fluid sweetness. It is very alluring.
Posted by: Victoria | August 09, 2005 at 19:28
For its sophistication,yes it is very alluring.
On me i could tell it looks like a three pieces paint:Fruity honeyed luminating scent,part one;Floral subtlety(tubéreuse) with precious woods end spice,part two;then part three:the pure Cedar part,with amber,but always smooth and beautiful.
The real materpice is according to me in the transitions the three parts contain.
Maybe one of the most majestic perfume i have ever smelled.
Remind me the quality,sophistication and beauty of old Guerlain,in extrait de parfum.
Have you experienced these three parts theme too or is something from my poetic mind?
;)
Kisses dear.
How i love talking with you...
Posted by: julien | August 10, 2005 at 07:26
Me too! I can certainly understand what you mean by your three part description. You captured it perfectly. It is fascinating.
xoxo
Posted by: Victoria | August 10, 2005 at 09:46
What is fascinating?my description or the perfume?
;)
lol
Kisses.
J.
Posted by: julien | August 10, 2005 at 09:58
I was referring to your description, but, yes, perfume is fascinating as well! :)
xoxo
Posted by: Victoria | August 10, 2005 at 10:18
Waouh..if i get as fascinating as Cèdre from Lutens,it is a quite beautiful thing to know.
Thanks!:)
J.
Posted by: julien | August 10, 2005 at 10:36
MESSIEURS.
BONJOUR
JE VOUS ENVOIES CETTE EMAIL EN VOUS PRIANT DE BIEN VOULOIR LE TRANSMETTRE A MONSIEUR
CHER SEGRE LUTENS,
JESPERE QUE TU RECOIS MON MESSAGE DONT JE VOUS METS MES CORDONNES
MALIKA ERRACHID
HAY MOHAMMADI
UNITE 5 DAOUDIAT N° 292
MARRAKECH MAROC
TEL 00212 (0) 64 62 67 39
MERCI POUR VOTRE COMPREHENSION ET VOTRE PROCHAINE REPONSE URGEMMENT .
MEILLEURES SALUTATIONS./.
Posted by: malika errachid | August 14, 2006 at 09:24
MESSIEURS.
BONJOUR
JE VOUS ENVOIES CETTE EMAIL EN VOUS PRIANT DE BIEN VOULOIR LE TRANSMETTRE A MONSIEUR
CHER SEGRE LUTENS,
JESPERE QUE TU RECOIS MON MESSAGE DONT JE VOUS METS MES CORDONNES
MALIKA ERRACHID
HAY MOHAMMADI
UNITE 5 DAOUDIAT N° 292
MARRAKECH MAROC
TEL 00212 (0) 64 62 67 39
MERCI POUR VOTRE COMPREHENSION ET VOTRE PROCHAINE REPONSE URGEMMENT .
MEILLEURES SALUTATIONS./.
Posted by: malika errachid | August 14, 2006 at 09:24
went to Andes recently live in northern NJ (5 minutes GWB) to pick up so Philikos (excuse sp) received sample sprays of Cedre and DOUCE AMERE loved loved cedre even though I am not a fan of tuberose. Was exquistely composed and although my holy grail is yosh heart is Deceitful and Malle Musc Rav. I have placed cedre up close. Any other suggests on dark woodsy dramatic scents I am also a fan of Jalaine's Patch I guess I am a patch and amber kind of gal thanks for any suggestions.
Posted by: romaayden | August 14, 2006 at 21:11
will be going to aedes this weekend to sample new lutens Chypre Rouge will give my review limited as it may very well be.
Posted by: romaayden | August 14, 2006 at 21:18