Our take
What does 31 Rue Cambon smell like?
Chanel launched Les Exclusifs in 2007 and named one of its scents after the address of Gabrielle Chanel's original Paris boutique. Jacques Polge composed it. The opening is green and sharp, with bergamot and black pepper over a hint of crushed leaves. Then the iris arrives and stays. It has that buttery, powdery texture the material is prized for. Rose and ylang-ylang sit in the background and mostly smooth the edges. The base reads as a modern chypre without an obvious oakmoss hit: clean patchouli and resinous cistus with a slightly ambery glow. It smells like a well-cut jacket more than a bouquet. Next to No. 19, the house's other green iris, 31 Rue Cambon feels softer and less cutting at the start. It first came out as an eau de toilette and is now sold as an eau de parfum within the collection.
When to wear it
Made for the office in autumn, worn over a fine knit or a crisp shirt. Two sprays are enough because the iris spreads slowly and lasts.
It belongs to the Floral, Chypre family. 31 Rue Cambon is one of 45 creations by Chanel in our encyclopedia.
