CHANEL: Le Lion

By Richard Goller.

What star sign are you? Normally, that question would have us running for the hills.

But as the name and inspiration for Le Lion relates to the designer’s zodiac sign (FYI: she was born on 19 August 1883) and Mademoiselle exhibited archetypal Leo characteristics – proud, passionate, instinctive, daring – we’ll make an exception.

Many of the big designer brands, from Dior and Dolce & Gabbana to Bulgari and YSL, have launched so-called private collections in the last couple of decades. These high-end ranges emphasise superior ingredients, craftsmanship and exclusivity, hence the price tag of the fragrances.

Les Exclusifs de Chanel is one of the best, with standouts such as Sycomore EDP, Coromandel EDP and Boy EDP.

From start to end, the 2020 release Le Lion EDP maintains the high standards of Les Exclusifs de Chanel. Opening with the slight citric freshness of bergamot and lemon, they make way for the star of the scent show: labdanum.

This ingredient, integral to amber accords, is known for its musky, leathery properties and is given a supremely sensual treatment by in-house perfumer Olivier Polge (yes, the son of Jacques Polge). Patchouli, vanilla and sandalwood provide the finishing touches. Leathery fragrances can be tricky to wear if they’re too animalic, but this one gets the balance between depth and warmth just right.

The most recent addition to the range, the cherry blossom-themed Comète EDP, is officially aimed at woman, but because we’re liberated men and won’t be confined by such genderisations, we urge you to try it, too.

Stockists: Chanel fragrance and beauty boutiques Sandton City, V&A Waterfront, Gateway and Menlyn.