Ever wondered what “diptyque” means? The term comes from ancient Greek and refers to a painting or sculpture made up of two panels or parts.
In the context of the Parisian perfume house, the name was chosen to express the founders’ passion for art and aesthetics, initially conveyed through objects and textiles, and later through scented candles and perfumes.
The uniqueness of Diptyque lies in the distinct chemistry among its founders. Through mutual friends, the 1961 meeting in Paris of Christiane Montadre-Gautrot, Yves Coueslant, and Desmond Knox-Leet sparked a chain of creativity that continues to this day. United by passion and creativity, the three artisans became friends and partners, opening an avant-garde clothing store at 34 Saint Germain Boulevard. In 1963, they launched their first scented candle, and in 1968, their first perfume. Today, all three are celebrated for establishing the iconic perfume house, scented candles, and room fragrances – Diptyque.
From its first eau de toilette, L’Eau, Diptyque celebrates the idea of uncompromising luxury. The special aura of its perfumes is an intimate experience, designed to evoke emotions. The Diptyque brand is a true master in creating perfumes, scented candles, room sprays, and body care products, each imprinted with a distinct and special olfactory signature.
The packaging is so poetic that it requires decoding. The bottles contain precious scents waiting to be discovered. Anything is possible within this collection, rich in cultural and mythological inspiration. The eternal and noble perfumes highlight individuality by breaking the mould free from prejudice and constraints. Diptyque fragrances are original, sensual, and intoxicating, emphasizing allure and instilling confidence.
Apart from influencing the design, the apartment also inspires the scent itself, composed of raw ingredients tied to the Art Nouveau period. “Nature and flowers inspired Art Nouveau, and the raw ingredients for chypre include many floral roots, oak, and moss, so everything ties together,” says Pescheux. The result is a subtle (yet sexy) fragrance with notes of patchouli, Bulgarian rose, and pink pepper, embodying French style. Alongside the perfume, Diptyque’s scented candles, made from quality materials and special fragrances, enhance the decor and fill spaces with a delightful aroma, creating a cozy atmosphere where one always feels excellent.
In the fascinating world of perfumes, some creations transcend gender boundaries, weaving together into a unique and captivating olfactory experience. Among them, Eau Capitale, the newest fragrance from Diptyque, stands out as a unisex perfume that highlights the wearer’s personality, appealing to those unafraid to stand out.
Unsurprisingly, this exceptional eau de parfum, Eau Capitale, draws inspiration from the French capital, Paris. With such strong roots in the city, master perfumer Olivier Pescheux and illustrator Pierre Marie delve into the history that continues to shape the brand’s identity. “Diptyque was born in Paris, and I realized we had never paid tribute to Paris in our creations,” says Pescheux. “I wanted to create a chypre perfume – the best expression of Paris, in my view, because of its abstraction, mystery, and elegance.”
Eau Capitale is a spicy-floral perfume that feels clean and fresh. Its top notes feature pink pepper and bergamot, the heart notes include rose, and the base note is patchouli – a fragrance of freedom. The packaging incorporates imagery like the Eiffel Tower, roses, flowing calligraphy, a peacock in the wind, scrollwork, and intertwined lines.
One cannot discuss Diptyque without mentioning the 34 Boulevard Saint Germain collection, specially created to celebrate 50 years of excellence in perfumery, bringing Diptyque’s entire history into the spotlight. Over half a century of continuous work has made Diptyque a global favorite and transformed it into an iconic luxury perfume brand.
The 34 Boulevard Saint Germain signature collection is a precursor to an art of living through the senses, where fragrance and art permeate every aspect of life. This collection pays homage to the first Diptyque boutique and symbolizes a creative and sophisticated lifestyle.
34 Boulevard Saint Germain is a new special creation from Diptyque, through which Olivier Pescheux recreated the scent of the brand’s first boutique in Paris—a rare and precious perfume. It offers the opportunity to experience a part of Diptyque’s history and legendary ingredients—a journey into the soul of the house, capturing the essence of its creative spirit.
Launched in 2011, this fragrance draws inspiration from modernity. 34 Boulevard Saint Germain evokes a different facet of the classic boutique: a welcoming space bathed in “golden light,” which warms the light blonde wood elements. The composition combines the softness of sandalwood, the creaminess of vanilla, and the freshness of pink pepper. Its elegant smoky design and black-and-white patterns pay tribute to the brand’s symbols and heritage. This eau de parfum features the emblematic Basile motif, designed by Christiane Gautrot and Desmond Knox-Leet in 1963.
The 34 Boulevard Saint Germain eau de toilette is a unisex, woody floral chypre fragrance. Its top notes include clove, cinnamon, blackcurrant, cardamom, fig leaves, pink pepper, green notes, and citrus; its heart notes are geranium, iris, tuberose, violet, and rose; and its base notes feature woody notes, resin, and eucalyptus. The scents blend harmoniously to create a captivating, hard-to-classify fragrance.
For this eau de toilette, Diptyque received the Best Selective Fragrance Award from CosmetiqueMag (considered the Oscars of the perfume industry), recognizing the creativity and uniqueness of its composition.
The olfactory soul of the boutique is captured in a kaleidoscope of fragrances, encompassing all Diptyque candles and perfumes. To recreate this olfactory essence as a perfume, Diptyque employed the headspace technology, which captures the scent compounds of a place, object, or flower.
The 34 Boulevard Saint-Germain Diptyque collection also includes the 34 Saint Germain solid perfume, which offers another way to enjoy fragrance. Inspired by the enfleurage technique, used in the past to capture the scent of flowers, this solid perfume contains notes of amber, patchouli, rose, cinnamon, and blackcurrant buds. Its alcohol-free wax is a fragrant balm that can be applied with the fingertips, revealing the unique signature of 34 Boulevard Saint Germain.
This refillable solid perfume reflects Diptyque’s eco-responsible approach. After the perfume is used, the case can be refilled with a solid perfume cartridge. (For better diffusion, apply the solid perfume to pulse points, where the body generates the most heat: wrists, the inside of elbows, the base of the neck, behind the ears, and on the décolletage.)
With its wide range of luxury products, Diptyque is regarded as a trusted brand and an excellent choice for lovers of refined perfumes. Made with attention to detail and passion, the brand’s products are an investment in a unique and unparalleled olfactory experience. Whether you choose a scented candle or a Diptyque perfume, you’ll discover a world of refined aromas and superior quality.
The elegant design, high-quality ingredients, and sophistication of the scents make Diptyque an excellent choice for those who seek luxury products and appreciate their beauty and elegance. Choosing Diptyque means falling in love with the subtle and complex notes that define each creation bearing its signature.
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