Camille Goutal’s new scent is finally here

The pedigree of Camille Goutal as a perfumer is impeccable. The daughter of Annick Goutal, the founder and perfumer at her eponymous fragrance label, the young Camille was the source of inspiration for one of the most iconic fragrances among her mother’s olfactory creations.

Annick Goutal’s Petite Cherie — a delightfully fresh fusion of sensual rose, and crisp pear and peach notes — was created as a tribute to Camille, and quickly became one of the brand’s bestsellers upon its launch in 1998.

After her mother’s death in 1999 following a long battle with cancer, the former interiors photographer felt the undeniable pull of her mother’s legacy and the subtle art of perfumery, and assumed the role of creative director of the fragrance maison alongside her mother’s longtime collaborator and renowned “nose”, Isabelle Doyen.

Since then, Camille has become a world-renowned perfumer in her own right, creating a repertoire of scents under the Annick Goutal name that has developed a devoted following among fragrance-lovers worldwide. The label is known for its feminine, sentimental scents and delicate, vintage-inspired ribbed perfume bottles, and Goutal draws upon similar emotional depths as her mother for her evocative creations.

Her newest creation, Rose Pompon, is the latest olfactory rendition of the rose scent that the fragrance house is well-known for. Inspired by the irrepressible joie de vivre of 20-something women, this romantic, optimistic juicy-sweet scent is a rose scent created for millenials.

Q: How did the idea for Rose Pompon come about?

A: As a young girl in France, you make pompons all the time. I used to make hundreds with my mother when I was young. And the rose pompon is what we call the type of cute, fluffy rose that blooms everywhere in spring. For me and for the brand, it is a never-ending story with the rose. I wanted to create a rose scent that is younger, fun and easy to wear. I have friends in Paris who are 20-something Parisian women — fun, happy and they love to party! I like the energy of these young women, which reminds me of the pompons I used to make.

Q: How is this youthful vibrancy reflected in the fragrance?

A: The rose is timeless; everyone loves a rose. It is the symbol of pure beauty and femininity around the world. I wanted (a rose scent) that is more fruity and stronger than Petite Cherie, which is the other rose scent in our stable that, to me, is a very contemporary rose scent. The blackcurrant and raspberry notes give a fruitiness to the Bulgarian rose note, and white musk envelopes the scent beautifully. Rose Pompon is probably the youngest rose scent that we have created.

Q: What are your personal preferences in fragrances?

A: I prefer white flowers like gardenia and I’m crazy about frangipani. My personal favourites are Songes, which was inspired by the scent of frangipanis that I smelt in the night on holiday in Mauritius, and Un Matin d’Orage, which was inspired by Japanese gardenias after a rainstorm. Songes took me five years to create and is very personal; I created it as my personal scent. It also took so long because the scent of fragipanis is very delicate and subtle, and I wanted to infuse it with the idea of sunset and nighttime, and the tropical heat and humidity.

Q: Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. What perfume would you recommend as a gift?

A: If you don’t really know the tastes of the person you are buying it for, then Petite Cherie is the perfect scent for gifting. It is sophisticated, sexy and feminine, but not too strong or overpowering. Rose Pompon is great for the girl who loves to have fun and play, but if your date is more discreet and delicate, I would recommend L’Ile au The. The osmanthus note makes it very refined and calm.

Q: Where do you normally derive inspiration from?

A: Finding inspiration is not complicated; it’s making it a reality that’s complicated! When I create, I use all five senses. Everyone in the world is always rushing around, but I need to pause and just take stock of what’s around me. Sometimes, it’s good to just slow down and to be alone.

Annick Goutal Rose Pompon Eau de Toilette is priced from S$179 for 50ml and is available exclusively at escentials Paragon and escentials TANGS at Tangs Plaza.