In 1921, Jacques guarelane Unveiled a fragrance that would become one of the most prestigious in the world of perfume, Shalimar. Attached to the bottle of a stunning bicart crystal, this intoxicating smell fed a growing attraction with the mystery of the former, during the twenty -seventh dasha who roars France. Today, it remains a foundation stone for Guarelane’s legacy, which sells 108 bottles every hour worldwide and is only second for its best -selling fragrance after La Petit Rebellion Noor.
A love story in a bottle
Inspiration for Shalimar returned to the 17th -century grand romance of India. Mughal emperor Shah jahan Was deeply dedicated to his wife, Mumtaz MahalFor whom he created a breathtaking Shalimar Garden. When he died, he honored his memory with the Taj Mahal, which was a symbol of eternal love. This poignant story found his way for Jacques Guarelen through Maharaja visit to Paris. Due to the devotion of the emperor, he agreed to prepare an perfume worthy of a Queen, a one that removes passion, mystery and ambiguity.
As Jazz was born and Paris hugged the foreigner, Jacks Guarelen demanded to capture the essence of this new era. He began using ethylvanillin, a synthetic vanilla compound, Jiki, which is one of the current perfumes of Guerlen. The result was a rich, drug mixture with deep oriental notes. To complete the composition, he introduced the grand material: Velvet vanilla, erotic sandalwood, resin benzoin, iris, pachauli, incense and tonka bean. The result was somewhat extraordinary, Shalimar, an audacious erotic fragrance contrary to anything.
Smell
Shalimar’s brilliant aroma demanded equally breathtaking presentation. Raymond Guarelen, Jacques cousin, designed an elegant flacon inspired by the Mughal Garden Casked Pool. The crown jewel was a dark blue, fan -shaped bicart crystal stopper, tied with a delicate silk thread and sealed with wax.
The design of the bottle was so extraordinary that it won the International Decorative Art Exhibition Award in Paris in 1925.
Smell
For almost a century, Shalimar remains a symbol of sophistication and attraction. Over the years, it has been re-interpreted by artists and visionary, from mythological painters such as Cassandre to Helmut Newton, Jean-Paul Gaude and Peter Lindberg. In 2008, Russian model Natalia Vodianova redefined sexuality in the prestigious campaign of Paolo Roversi, echoing Serge Gensburg’s songs, “She is not wearing anything, apart from a small essence of Guerlane in her hair.”
Even today, Shalimar’s development continues. In 2011, Guarelane’s master perfumer Theory Vasar introduced Shalimar Parafum Inquiyam, a modern interpretation that softened more intense notes of fragrance while maintaining its mythological spirit.
Through decades of regeneration, Shalimar is more than just one perfume, it is the legacy of love, art and timeless temptation.
