Inès de la Fressange

Having embodied the inimitable chic and elegance of Chanel in the 80s, as well as posing for Marianne, the symbol of France that appears on stamps, etc. Inès de la Fressange has traded in modeling for a career as a designer. She spends her free time traveling and exploring new ideas in design. Enjoy this light-hearted interview.

By Frédérique de Granvilliers (08/2001)

What do you have on today ?

Just my wrinkles! No, I think you mean what fragrance, right? I'm garlanded in Guerlain’s Mitsouko.

What was your first fragrance ?

Probably Mustela, but you'd have to ask my nanny. In fact, I first developed an interest in perfume in adol’essence, appropriately enough, and when my grandfather noticed (which wasn't difficult!) that I was dousing myself with patchouli, he gave me Sandalwood – by Floris, of chorus – it’s so much more refined. But I soon changed to Chanel N°19 eau de toilette, because my lovely friend Marianne wore it.

What fragrances do your parents wear ?

My mother has long been loyal to Bellodgia by Caron, a fragrance that my father used to give her. It's a carnation-based fragrance which deserves more recognition. To my eyes, or rather to my nose, it's irrevocably linked to my mother. My father liked to splash on eau de Cologne and smell like grenadine.

Do you associate any particular smells with memories ?

New books at the beginning of the school year, the tuberoses in my grandmother's living room; cut hay in the spring at Septeuil; incense in church on Sundays; a peony-lined path leading to a mill; Poupina, the fragrance Nine, my eldest daughter, wore in the maternity ward (those idiots have changed it now!); a jasmine/coconut scent in Jodhpur, India; a two-week-old Shetland sweater from Anatomica; Polish sausage with garlic...

What smells do you dislike ?

Cheap perfume (it's better to go without) or fragrances that evoke edibles such as chocolate or figs. I also dislike ammonia, aggressive fragrances with fake tuberose, bad-quality lavender (but I love lavender fields, of course), dishwashing liquid soaking in dirty dishes, most detergents, burning plastic, scented candles (except for Dyptique and Rigaud's), those little air fresheners in taxis and those horrible deodorizers you put in the toilet bowl. They stink!