OLIVIER POLGE PERFUMER CREATOR OF CHANEL PRESENTS THE NEW COCO MADEMOISELLE FRAGRANCE.

OLIVIER POLGE PERFUMER CREATOR OF CHANEl TELLS US ABOUT THE NEW COCO MADEMOISELLE FRAGRANCE.

You are unveiling COCO MADEMOISELLE CRUSH ABSOLU this week. What sets this new creation apart from the previous ones?

What fascinates me about COCO MADEMOISELLE CRUSH ABSOLU is its ability to surprise, to offer a trail that is neither entirely expected nor completely familiar. Of course, it retains the strong signature of COCO MADEMOISELLE—its distinctive character. I returned to this structure because I wanted to recreate the same emotions, while introducing a more mysterious dimension. What is particularly interesting is the woody base of patchouli, which remains ever- present; only now, it is enveloped in deep amber notes that render it almost indefinable.

The word “crush” is not insignificant. It evokes passion, but something even more vivid and immediate. How did you translate this idea into the fragrance?

It’s true. ‘Crush’ suggests impact, intensity, but also something instantly captivating. I like the idea that this fragrance has two facets: it is not only sensual in the classic sense, but also direct and intriguing. There is a depth to COCO MADEMOISELLE CRUSH ABSOLU, along with a certain striking spontaneity.

You’ve mentioned the idea that one can encounter oneself through fragrance. What does COCO MADEMOISELLE CRUSH ABSOLU invite the wearer to discover about herself?

COCO MADEMOISELLE CRUSH ABSOLU is both bold and assertive. It offers a deeply personal experience that does not seek to please or to seduce in a traditional way. I like to think it accompanies the wearer—that it moves with them in a spirit of freedom and spontaneity. It is not about conforming, but about revealing oneself.

How would you describe its olfactory signature?

I would say it is a deep sensuality, a kind of voluptuousness that speaks as much to the senses as it does to the emotions. One first perceives the fruity top notes that quickly give way to a denser, more enveloping texture shaped by woody and amber notes. On the skin, this fragrance never stays still. It evolves, it vibrates, it lives.

You often speak about the difference between experiencing a fragrance on paper versus

the skin...

Absolutely. On the skin, warmth transforms the fragrance, making it more alive, more fluid. It expresses itself, evolves, and tells a different story on each person. COCO MADEMOISELLE CRUSH ABSOLU requires this contact to reveal its full richness.

To conclude, if you were to put it into three words, what would they be?

Fascinating. Sensual. Striking. But I’m cheating—you really must experience it for yourself to understand what makes it unique.