Our take
What does Escale aux Marquises smell like?
Dior launched Escale aux Marquises in June 2010 as the third stop in Les Escales de Dior, after Portofino and Pondichéry. François Demachy composed it as a nod to the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. The opening fizzes. It smells like a citrus wedge squeezed over ice. Amalfi lemon, blood orange and coriander give it a cologne-like sparkle, lifted by pink pepper and cardamom. The heart belongs to tiare, a creamy flower close to gardenia. Ginger, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg surround it. These spices stay cool rather than baked. The base is light. Elemi brings a resinous, lemony touch and benzoin a little sweetness. It's spicier and more floral than Escale à Portofino, which was built on citrus. Its weakness is well known. It evaporates quickly and leaves little behind after two hours.
When to wear it
For summer, holidays or weekends, with a top-up during the day. Spray liberally on clothes.
It belongs to the Floral, Spicy family. Escale aux Marquises is one of 56 creations by Dior in our encyclopedia.
