What is it that constitutes a truly moving work of art? Is it the emotions stirred by a sublime painting’s vibrant colours? The precise concoction of olfactory notes in a heady perfume? And where does the seemingly polar opposite world of science fit into our appreciation of beauty? Perhaps no luxury house is as dedicated to exploring questions of the relationships between art, science and beauty as Guerlain. This collaborative spirit, having characterised the house since its founding in 1828, powers its latest launches: a limited-edition, art-inspired fragrance collection, and a science-backed serum.
Guerlain and Matisse: Where art meets alchemy
Guerlain’s long-cultivated connection with artists is this year marked by a collaboration with Maison Matisse. The maison was founded by Jean-Matthieu Matisse, great-grandson of the French artist Henri Matisse, dubbed the ‘painter of happiness’ in the 20th century for his mastery of vibrant colour.
“Henri Matisse wanted to bring joyful emotions to life for everyone,” the younger Matisse illuminates. “Maison Matisse seeks to pass on his visual world by drawing inspiration from his images, colours and shapes.” This season, the shared, elegant sensibilities of the two houses are brought to life by several unique creations.
The Maison Matisse Edition of Guerlain’s iconic Bee Bottle has been coated in an exclusive, entirely hand-painted design inspired by Matisse’s renowned painting ‘La Musique’ (1939).
and alchemy comes
the Bee Bottle Maison
Matisse Edition, an
exceptional piece
inspired by ‘La
Musique’ (1939) by
Henri Matisse Courtesy of Guerlain
Drawing directly from the painting’s signature motifs and colours—from philodendron leaves to sapphire blue and lemon hues—the bottle houses an exclusively created perfume, Couleur Bonheur. Other highlights of this Guerlain x Maison Matisse collaboration: yellow bergamot, vivacious rose, deep purple iris, and apricot and leather accords express the rhythm and palette of ‘La Musique’ through their fruity-chypre blend. This striking heirloom piece has been produced in only 14 signed and numbered pieces worldwide, including one—auspicious number eight—available in Singapore, $23,600.
Meanwhile, joining Guerlain’s L’Art & La Matière collection is the evocative fragrance Jasmin Bonheur.
The stunning scent presents a lively, fruity-chypre take on sensual jasmine with tinges of apricot, iris and rose. Coinciding with this Guerlain fragrance, Maison Matisse has collaborated on a new motif inspired by Matisse’s cutout artwork, ‘Les Mille et Une Nuits’ (1950). This painting of hearts, jasmine flowers and leaves in a pulsating colour palette brings the perfume to life through its homage to Matisse’s original. The motif embosses an Exceptional Plate adorning the fragrance bottle.
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While there are only 1,000 pieces of the Maison Matisse Edition of Jasmin Bonheur available worldwide, $1,022, the Exceptional Plate also personalises any of Guerlain’s L’Art & La Matière bottles. A limited 200 pieces have been produced, $220. Meanwhile, the Figue Azur Maison Matisse Edition candle is crafted to exude the hypnotic scent of figs in homage to Matisse’s beloved southern French air. Housed in a white jar decorated with the painted motif, it will be available in a limited 500 pieces worldwide, including in Singapore from 1 May, $379. This elegant collaboration continues Matisse’s expression of happiness.
“We were so happy to embark on this collaboration [with Guerlain],” asserts the younger Matisse. “We share values, exacting standards, a respect for precision and a love of colour.”
Science and magic: Meet the transformative powers of Guerlain’s Orchidée Impériale Micro-Lift Concentrate
In contrast, on Guerlain’s skincare front, it is science that is brought to the fore. The launch of the house’s Orchidée Impériale Micro-Lift Concentrate is the result of over 18 years of Guerlain’s research into the orchid flower’s remarkable longevity secrets. Guerlain’s dedicated single-ingredient research centre— the Orchidarium®—has concentrated the regenerative properties discovered at the orchid’s heart within a new molecular extract, Orchid Totum™. Orchid Totum™ is one of the three concentrates comprising the Micro-Lift Concentrate.
‘Fibonacci flower’
for its technical
perfection, the orchid,
Guerlain’s new
Orchidée Impériale
Micro-Lift promises
skin regeneration,
firming and lifting
in a bottle Courtesy of Guerlain
The first Guerlain tri-serum, it regenerates, firms and sculpts from the deepest cellular levels. Orchid Totum™ boosts cell longevity and vitality for powerful regeneration, reducing visible ageing. On another layer, 6,000 firming micro-fillers target the natural production of collagen and fibrillin, increasing the skin’s firmness and elasticity. The third concentrate sees 6,000 high-precision micro-sculptors strengthen, lift and redefine facial lines.
With over 95 per cent of the formula made from naturally-derived actives, consider this powerhouse a tridimensional resculptor for the face. Boosted from the most minute of layers, the serum works to deliver visibly boosted vitality, smoothness, radiance and plumpness for a youthful and glowing appearance. With its silky melting texture, the serum is also as sensorially delightful as it is scientifically powerful, immediately imparting a supple feel.
Within these latest launches from Guerlain, the storied house proves again its ability to simultaneously look to the future with the most cutting-edge of technology while celebrating illustrious heritage. But whether it’s the past and present, or juxtaposed worlds of art and science, it’s this sweet collision between the unexpected where Guerlain brings out the most beauty of all.
Guerlain’s Maison Matisse Editions are available at Guerlain’s Ion and Raffles City boutiques.
