The way the greatest wordsmiths tell it, there is no feeling that is quite as intoxicating as love. It encompasses first love and puppy love or even love at first sight; a gamut of feelings and emotions that signifies affection. Nothing is quite as potent, or so you’d think. Here to challenge this notion is none other than Chanel with the release of the Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu. The latest addition to the Coco Mademoiselle family, it exhibits a thrilling magnetism that proves irresistible; a new dimension of the collection’s indomitable spirit that serves as an extension of its storied legacy.
Push and pull
“Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu is an affirmation of the self. This fragrance offers a deeply personal experience that exists only when it is worn,” remarks Olivier Polge, Chanel’s perfume creator and the mastermind behind the brilliant composition. “I like to imagine it accompanies the woman who wears it. It is not about conforming, but about revealing oneself, surprising oneself.”
And a surprise it is, indeed. The Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu shares some similarities to its predecessor upon first sniff—a warm, amber-led profile that envelopes the user instantaneously. However, it quickly evolves into something entirely different, easing into an inimitable vibrancy that begins with a distinct tartness. Grapefruit and lychee burst forth, with a floral sweetness comprising rose and jasmine following after.
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The end result contains the essence of the original Coco Mademoiselle but with a distinct twist. Originally conceived by Polge’s father, Jacques Polge, in 2001, the spirit of Coco Mademoiselle is rooted in the notion of feminine rebellion. This thus translates into a fragrance brimming with a rich, varied decadence, where the incorporation and infusion of orange, notes de rose and vanilla conceive a creamier and earthier bouquet. The Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu fosters a more electrifying touch, a hint of unpredictability that adds to its charm. Its bold and juicy opening note is a declaration in itself, pulling individuals into its orbit with iron-clad certainty.
With its delectable composition in place, what comes next is to find a singular figure that represents Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu in all its facets. Free-spirited and bold in intention. Refined. And, above all, a trailblazer in her own right.
The perfect pair
Enter: American folk-pop singer Gracie Abrams. At 27, she has made a name for herself by penning, producing and performing tracks that have struck a resonant chord with millions of fans. Heartwrenching tunes such as ‘I Love You, I’m Sorry’ and ‘That’s So True’ paint a picture of a creative who is devoted to her craft and an entertainer stripped of superfluous airs and pomp. Fearless of the backlash that could arise from her songwriting, Abrams is resolute in speaking her truth, but on her own terms, naturally. It is perhaps what makes her an enigma and a natural fit for the Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu; whatever you know of Abrams is what she wants you to know.
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“Gracie naturally embodies the spirit of Chanel. Like Gabrielle Chanel once did, she asserts herself without artifice, driven by a fierce sense of freedom and instinctive elegance. There is that liveliness in her, that unfussy refinement, which recalls Coco’s modernity,” explains Thomas du Pré de Saint Maur, head of global creative resources for fragrance and beauty at Chanel. “It is less a matter of silhouette than of attitude: Gracie arrives where she is not expected, always in motion, charting her own path.”
As to where that path will take her, we can only wait with bated breath. Beyond embarking on a world tour for her newly released album, called Daughter from Hell, this year, Abrams will also make her acting debut in the A24 period drama, Please. And while she continues her dominion over Hollywood, it’s safe to say that we can also count on her to leave her mark in other ways—one spritz at a time with Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu, of course.
Get your copy of the October ‘The Artisanal Issue’ of Vogue Singapore online.
