on the wings of a swallow
René Lalique and the house that bears his name is the reason why perfume bottles have evolved into the jewel-like creations they are today. Before the crystalmaster came along, perfumes were housed in plain medicinal-style apothecary bottles that were quite unadorned. In celebration of Lalique’s 130th anniversary celebrations this year, the house has issued the latest fragrance in its Mon Premier Cristal (My First Crystal) collection – the Lalique Mon Premier Cristal Hirondelles – to honour just that.
Named after the French word for swallow – the bird that announces the arrival of spring – the Nathalie Orson-concocted fragrance zooms in on the scent of the first spring flowers after winter has thawed. It traces of the path of the swallow as the bird migrates south to Africa and Asia, before returning to Europe when spring calls. A trio of jasmine scents form the heart of Hirondelles – the orange radiance of Indian Jasmine Sambac Absolute, the Cleopatra-approved Egyptian Jasmine Grandiflorum and rare Grasse Jasmine. The fourth scent in the Mon Premier Cristal collection also contains top notes of Freesia, Gardenia, Tuberose, with a base of Madagascar Vanilla Absolute, Heliotrope and Musks.
Because this Lalique, attention must be paid to the design of the bottle. The bottle features a torrent of swallows in graceful flight, hand-painted with 23-carat gold. When filled, the Hirondelles takes on a golden countenance, elegantly set off by a jet black ribbon. A feather jewel and a black spray puff complete the design. Engraved on the base – to mark Lalique’s 130th anniversary – are the words ‘Lalique 130 ans, 1888-2018’. The Mon Premier Cristal Hirondelles is limited to 130 (naturally) numbered pieces worldwide, priced at €980 (RM4,580).
