Our take
What does Misia smell like?
Misia joined Chanel's Les Exclusifs collection in February 2015. It was Olivier Polge's first creation for the house, which he had joined in 2013 alongside his father Jacques. The name honours Misia Sert, Gabrielle Chanel's friend and patron. She introduced Chanel to Venice and to Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. Polge has said he drew on the dancers' stage makeup more than on Misia herself. The opening makes that obvious. Violet and powdery notes come out like a freshly opened compact. The heart combines Grasse rose and Turkish rose with iris, and the trio smells of lipstick. The base is softer, resting on tonka bean and benzoin from Laos. Frédéric Malle's Lipstick Rose explored the same theme years earlier. Misia is more polished and less playful, with a stronger iris. It also feels more like a perfume worn at the theatre than one worn at a party.
When to wear it
Ideal for an autumn day or any appointment where you want to look put together. Two sprays on the back of the neck are enough.
It belongs to the Floral, Powdery family. Misia is one of 45 creations by Chanel in our encyclopedia.
