SimplyAbuDhabi IX

Shalimar Eau Si Sensuelle By GUERLAIN A t once enrapturing, feminine and with a hint of intrigue, Guerlain’s Shalimar Eau Si Sensuelle perpetuates the legend of the legendary Guerlain Shalimar perfume, but is unique in its own style. The idea of renewal and strength, combined with steadfast sophistication, is the vision behind this scent, which is imbued with tender and velvety accents. Historically, Shalimar, or the ‘home of love’ in Sanskrit, referred to an enchanting garden that harboured the romantic love between the Emperor Shah Jahan and the beautiful Mumtaz Mahal. Their story inspired Jacques Guerlain in 1925 to create his first trademark perfume. Guerlain, in turn, transformed the story into an incredible olfactory poem infused with the evanescent scents of flowers, wood, vanilla and amber. The first of the “orientals”, Shalimar remains the essence of love, a glimpse into the subtle grace of femininity. Today, the next generation of this legendary fragrance highlights an unexpected concentration of citrus notes, notably bergamot, which is a touch greener and zestier than the Eau de Parfum, along with a premium neroli essence. The ardent freshness of the top notes blends with a particular grade of jasmine, the cult flower at the heart of the famous Guerlinade. The precise jasmine note used here called for an inspired and complex formulation. Perfumer Thierry Wasser was thus prompted to explore the world in search of the most enchanting varieties of Grandiflora jasmine. He catered his search particularly to India, from where jasmine originates and where its harvest is a real ritual, as well as Egypt and Grasse. From these three sources, a jasmine absolute has been extracted with its intrinsic character: from green to fruity and more honeyed notes. In Thierry Wasser’s hands, each facet harmonizes in a perfectly dosed and desired jasmine communelle which remains virtually identical in olfactory terms from one season to the next – also part of the magic of a great creation. For a limited edition, the perfume’s bottle has being adorned with a design celebrating oriental sensuality. L’Eau Si Sensuelle’s delicately frosted bottle reflects a certain softness, like a veil of silk, suggesting the oriental delicacy of the fabled Temple of Love. Soft and sensual, a feather in powdery pink tones elegantly adorns the neck of the bottle, reinterpreting the famous tassel which graced the bottles of its predecessors. The pack is decorated with volutes and arabesques that evoke the fabulous Shalimar Gardens and their sublime patios. 2 0 6 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I