Doux Ennui by THoO takes us on a journey through time. The fragrance house takes us back to 18th century France, as the eau de parfum from the Crazy Collection is inspired by Marie Antoinette – the last queen of France before the Revolution. Even during her lifetime, her name was inextricably linked with opulence, pleasure and scandal – an image that persists. And it is precisely this ambivalent reputation that serves as the olfactory starting point for Doux Ennui.
Marie Antoinette and the sweet side of Versailles
Everyone probably knows Marie Antoinette, at least by name. She lived from 1755 to 1793, and what we think we know about her life is made up of facts, court reports and indestructible legends. Married into Versailles as a young archduchess from Vienna, she was at the center of public attention early on – admired and criticized at the same time. Much of what is said about her is exaggerated, but her reputation as a lover of fine pastries and sweet treats certainly has a real core.
Versailles was a place of abundance. Airy, golden yellow brioche – rich in butter – was considered a royal delicacy. It is entirely plausible that Marie Antoinette appreciated brioche, as fine pastries played a major role at the court of Versailles. Even if the famous phrase “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche” does not historically belong to her, it has contributed significantly to the fact that she is still associated today with sumptuous indulgence and a certain distance from the reality of the people’s lives.
Between myth and reality, an image of a woman emerges that is made for a composition that combines sweetness, exuberance and a quiet opulence.
Doux Ennui – the latest fragrance in the Crazy Collection
Doux Ennui by THoO was created by perfumer Cristian Calabrò. The Italian was also responsible for other creations by the label, such as
His approach to fragrance composition is characterized by a clear idea at the beginning and a keen sense for harmonious accords. Cristian Calabrò works in a structure-oriented way, focusing on precisely placed facets and developing his fragrances step by step into harmonious compositions with a modern interpretation.
For the Eau de Parfum Doux Ennui by THoO, he combined the ingredients mandarin, apricot, gourmand notes, ylang-ylang, peaches, salty notes, osmanthus, benzoin resin, ambergris and musk to create a creation “that dances between innocence and transgression – just like the queen who inspired it.”
What does Doux Ennui by THoO smell like?
Doux Ennui opens with creamy, fruity nuances of sunny yellow mandarin and velvety apricot, accompanied by a delicate saltiness and the soft accents of roasted sugar. Ylang-ylang brings fine, tropical-milky floral facets to the composition, while peach and osmanthus provide fruity-floral nuances that underline the creamy-velvety notes. Benzoin resin and ambergris lend the composition a balsamic-amber warmth which, in combination with roasted sugar, is reminiscent of brioche, perhaps also of croissants that come out of the oven smelling fresh and delicious. The fruity aspects are still perceptible in the base, gradually merging more and more with the powdery-amber facets with which the eau de parfum finally fades away.
Is Doux Ennui decadent?
The new fragrance Doux Ennui by THoO deliberately plays with the idea of abundance, but it does so in a modern, light and surprisingly accessible way. The gourmand facets – brioche, sugar, stone fruit and a pinch of salt – are reminiscent of fine, opulent patisserie, but never appear heavy or overloaded. Rather, the creation evokes a creamy, soft sweetness that combines with fruity, floral accents and thus retains a certain airiness. Doux Ennui is therefore not decadent in the classic sense. It is reminiscent of the sweet debauchery of Versailles with a wink and at the same time has enough transparency to remain wearable in everyday life and in the office – gourmand, playful and yet surprisingly elegant and modern.
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