L’Envolée - 160 Year Anniversary of the Bee Bottle c2013

L’Envolée - was one of several special presentations created in 2013 to mark the 160th anniversary of the creation of the bee bottle, known as the Abeille flacon.

Guerlain commissioned nine “Maîtres d’art” of the Institut National des Métiers d’Art of France. Giving them full artistic freedom to create whatever they could envision to centre around a one litre bee bottle. The resulting incarnations are truly the epitome of one of a kind masterpieces.

The unique bottles were on display at the Maison Guerlain, 68, Champs-Élysées, from the 10th of December 2013 to the 14th of February 2014 and were showcased in photo and video exhibitions in Guerlain’s Exclusive Line Doors in 2014. They will be sold to help fund the “Maîtres d’art – Students” project, in which master artists pass down rare and exceptional skills to apprentices, overseen by the Institut National des Métiers d’Art (INMA). You can read more about the INMA online.

Etienne Rayssac, Maître d’art – Class of 2010. This accomplished woodcarver and ornamental craftsman, at first, sketches his inventive designs and then fabricates prototypes in plaster before carving the final sculpture. His proficiency in woodworking has made him well respected and sought after to create decorative elements, for use on buildings classified as historical monuments and contemporary pieces alike.

From Guerlain:

“L’Envolée” (“The Flight”) 

Draped pale sycamore wood partially envelops the levitating Bee bottle, making it evanescent. The work suggests incredible energy and the effect of curves and dips perfectly captures the light. Only hand craftsmanship with special chisels and scrapers makes it possible to alternate the flow of volumes and the sharpness of edges. The exterior design is delicately sculpted and echoes the intensity of the bottle and the richness of its intrinsic ornamentation.

Santal Royal by Guerlain c2014

Santal Royal by Guerlain: launched in 2014. According to the October issue of the Harrod's magazine, the fragrance was created to herald the opening of the newly finished Salon de Parfums at the upscale Harrod's department store in London on Oct 16, 2014.

Bouquet de L'Imperatrice Eugenie by Guerlain c1843

Bouquet de L'Impératrice Eugénie by Guerlain, launched in 1853, was named in honor of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. The choice of name reflects both admiration and an association with imperial elegance, power, and prestige. By attaching the Empress's name to the fragrance, Pierre-François Pascal Guerlain aligned his creation with royalty, conveying the notion of a scent fit for nobility. In naming the perfume "Bouquet de L'Impératrice Eugénie", Guerlain was not only appealing to the fascination with the imperial court but also emphasizing the refined femininity and grace of Eugénie herself. This was a rebranding of an earlier perfume, Bouquet de L'Imperatrice from around 1844.

The phrase "Bouquet de L'Impératrice Eugénie" conjures images of lush floral arrangements befitting an empress’s royal presence—delicate yet opulent. The word "bouquet" evokes a gathering of the finest, most exquisite flowers, arranged with care and elegance. When paired with the name "L'Impératrice Eugénie," the perfume’s title suggests regal luxury, sophistication, and timeless beauty. This blend of words might stir emotions of admiration, awe, and reverence for the French court and its luxurious lifestyle. The fragrance, by its very name, promises to embody the grandeur of the Second Empire and the refinement of the Empress herself.

Interpreted in scent, "Bouquet de L'Impératrice Eugénie" would likely represent a harmonious blend of soft, elegant florals—perhaps rich with roses, jasmine, or orange blossom—interwoven with warmer, sensual animalic or amber notes. The fragrance would be designed to project both delicacy and strength, reflecting the Empress's grace and commanding presence. It would feel comforting yet stately, delicate but enduring, much like Eugénie’s public image. For both men and women of the era, a fragrance with such a prestigious name would not only be aspirational but also a way of connecting to the glamorous world of the imperial court.

The time period in which this perfume was launched, the mid-19th century, was marked by an immense interest in the French aristocracy, luxury, and the lavish lifestyle of the imperial family. Napoleon III and Eugénie reigned over the Second Empire, and their court was known for its extravagance, opulent fashion, and keen patronage of the arts. Perfume, already a mark of distinction, became an even greater symbol of refinement, and perfumers like Guerlain sought to capture this luxurious world in a bottle. During this era, royal-inspired scents were in demand, as the public looked to these fragrances as a means of embodying nobility’s elegance and securing their own place within a higher social echelon.