The story of Christian Louboutin
Christian Louboutin opened his Paris boutique in 1991 in the Galerie Véro-Dodat. A few years later he painted the sole of a prototype with red nail polish. That detail became his calling card. Beauty came long after the shoes. In 2015 the house launched lipsticks. In 2016 three perfumes arrived together: Bikini Questa Sera, Trouble in Heaven and Tornade Blonde. They came as eaux de parfum, with perfume oils following in November. The bottles were designed with Heatherwick Studio. Their caps look like sculpted objects rather than ordinary stoppers. Tornade Blonde is credited to perfumer Olivier Cresp. The range sells through very selective channels at high prices.
An olfactory signature
The first three perfumes sketch three moods. Bikini Questa Sera plays white flowers, jasmine and tuberose. Trouble in Heaven heads down toward patchouli and amber. Tornade Blonde is the sunniest. Rose is lifted by cassis, with a tartness that keeps it from going powdery. The base stays clean and woody. The house shows a certain theatrical streak, mostly in the bottles. The scents themselves are tamer than you might expect.
Which Christian Louboutin perfume to choose?
Tornade Blonde suits anyone who likes fruity roses that are bright rather than velvety. Wear it by day in spring and summer. If you prefer white flowers, Bikini Questa Sera is creamier. For evenings, Trouble in Heaven is darker. The price is that of a luxury object. Test on skin first, since the bottle accounts for part of the bill. Two sprays are enough.