....Over the past year and a half, fragrance houses have gotten into vintage (as in vintage wine, not vintage fashion). L’Artisan Parfumeur started it all back in late 2005 with its 2005 vintage Fleur d’Oranger, made exclusively from orange blossoms from the 2005 harvest in the groves of Nabeul, Tunisia. Late 2006, they renewed the experience with Fleur de Narcisse. Givenchy followed suit in spring 2006, with the launch of three vintage variations on its classic women’s scents Organza, Amarige and Very Irrésistible. Givenchy jumped on the bandwagon in May, launching three variations based respectively on Grasse Mayrose aboslute, Nabeul orange blossom and Mayotte ylang-ylang essence. To create these scents, the houses used small, exceptional harvests from local growers preferring quality to quantity. For instance, the rose chosen for Very Irrésistible Récolte 2006 (2006 Harvest), is from a single orchard of just 5 acres.

 

....These fragrances allow brands not only to aim at connoisseurs, but also to give true meaning to the idea of exclusive luxury and privilege. Focussing on Nature like this is a trend that can also be seen in the skin-care sector. Since spring 2007 two luxury brands have played the organic card. After her success with perfume, designer Stella McCartney has launched Care, a certified organic, top-of-the-line skin care range. L’Artisan Parfumeur is getting into skin care too, with Jatamansi, a line of 100% natural, certified organic “body rituals.” The experiment has been extended with an eau de toilette, L’Eau de Jatamansi.

...Luxury and sustainable development are not incompatible, au contraire. Nespresso, for example, worked with an NGO called the Rainforest Alliance to create the AAA program, which guarantees sustainable production methods, like environmental preservation and a commitment to decent working conditions. The program has allowed the brand to present Volluto, a 100% AAA coffee. Sustainable development is a value that several cosmetics brands, like L’Occitane, which has created La Fondation L’Occitane, are committed to. In addition to charity work (fighting river blindness, supporting literacy…) the foundation has contributed to the preservation of certain plant species. Other beauty brands have declared their commitment to sustainable development. Natura uses production methods that protect Nature: the brand has set up a system for recycling water, and has also invested in reforesting programs.