Serge Lutens; Discover the Essence of the Female Image
By Jingya Zhang
We love the moment we spray a favourite scent onto our skin, emotions swim, senses come to the fore, happiness reigns, and the collection of feelings brings layers of thoughts and memories to us. Serge Lutens, the hugely renowned makeup artist, hairdresser, fashion photographer, and perfumer is one of the originators of the Niche style of scent, has always looked to his own life and his raw feelings as inspiration. He lived and grew up in difficult circumstances, yet many facets make up his life, and they all somehow end up in his very personal potions. Find out more in Serge Lutens; Discover the essence of the female image. Image on left Jason Yates
Born in France during the Vichy regime of World War II, at a time when being born out of wedlock was illegal. So Lutens had to leave his mother when he was only a few weeks old and later lived in different host families. Lutens was traumatized by his mother’s absence during his childhood, which went on to have an impact on his character and later career.
The key to understanding Lutens is to know his emotional connection to his mother. Throughout his artistic journey, he has been creating female figures as inspirations for his work. These women are an amalgamation of his mother. She is his ultimate muse, driving his creative endeavors in various mediums, including photography, makeup, fashion, and fragrance.
In each of his works, he intertwined himself with his mother, making her the central subject of his creations. Her presence forms the background and impetus for all of his actions, as he works tirelessly to maintain a sense of connection and presence with her.
Lutens’ creations go beyond mere cosmetics or perfume; they act as canvases to express the essence of the female form. His fascination with female beauty dates back to his childhood. When he was 14, he worked in a salon in Lille, France, and immersed himself in women’s magazines and films, drawing inspiration from them to develop a uniquely feminine aesthetic characterized by “fair skin, somber eyes, and bold short hair”.
His innovative designs thrust him into the spotlight and marked a pivotal chapter in his career. Vogue noticed his avant-garde depictions of femininity and recruited his talents. In his later career, whether it was the Dior makeup or his Shiseido period, the unique makeup style he created brought great success to the brands. At the same time, he never gave up on shaping the female image in his heart.
According to Serge Lutens, his childhood loneliness and emotions were the basis for creating the L’orpheline fragrance, a scent that is celebrating its 10-year anniversary
“Perfume is a form of writing, an ink, a choice made in the first person, the dot on the I, a weapon, a courteous gesture, part of the instant, a consequence.”
Serge Lutens
L’orpheline is described by Lutens as his ‘mother’s wound’, ‘a part of him that was abandoned and to which he attributes feminine qualities’.
According to Lutens, the world can be divided into three parts, the father, the mother, and himself. He sees themselves as both the mother’s figurehead and the father’s assassin, unable to fully heal from the wounds inflicted by the father.
It symbolizes a journey towards memory and forgiveness, leading to a sense of survival and enduring essence. Lutens reflects on the invisible aspects of life that persist even as everything else fades away.
Now, as we commemorate a decade of L’Orpheline’s spellbinding presence, Serge Lutens unveils the exquisite Limited Edition, a testament to the enduring legacy of this iconic fragrance.
Encased in a breathtaking vessel adorned with intricate detailing and opulent accents, each bottle is a work of art in its own right – a tangible expression of Lutens’ reverence for the female form.
Does the ethereally beautiful ballerina become a puppet of fate, or does she break free from it the moment she gracefully dances? Accepting or resisting? Controlling or being controlled? This may cause you to suspect that the ballet dancer also mirrors serge lutens himself, even if sometimes controlled by fate, dancing gracefully to fight against it.
But it is the scent itself that truly captivates the senses. It combines a delicate blend of black pepper and incense, intertwined with the warmth of dry woods, L’Orpheline Limited Edition transports the wearer to a realm of timeless elegance and ineffable beauty. As the fragrance unfolds on the skin, hints of Vanilla and Sandalwood emerge, leaving a lingering trail of seduction in its wake.
In celebrating a decade of enchantment with L’Orpheline Limited Edition, we pay homage to Serge Lutens’ unparalleled creativity and his unwavering dedication to the celebration of femininity. With each spritz, we embark on a journey through the realms of imagination and emotion, guided by the timeless allure of Serge Lutens’ iconic fragrance.
To learn more please visit Serge Lutens.
If you enjoyed reading Serge Lutens; Discover the Essence of the Female Image then why not read Elizabeth Tan Her Transformative
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