Our take
What does Rumeur smell like?
Francis Kurkdjian composed Rumeur for Lanvin in 2006. The name revives a Lanvin perfume from 1934, but the two have nothing in common. Aldehydes open with a soapy fizz, joined by fresh magnolia and a few fruity notes. The heart is a fairly bright white bouquet. Jasmine and mock orange lead, with white rose and a touch of lily of the valley adding light. The base follows the modern chypre template: patchouli with the earth washed off, ambroxan for a salty-skin effect, and musks. Some databases file it among the floral chypres. It is elegant and a little aloof, with the clean lines typical of Kurkdjian. Rumeur has been discontinued and now turns up only as old stock or second-hand.
When to wear it
Spring and autumn, at the office or over lunch. Two or three sprays.
It belongs to the Floral, Woody, Musky family. Rumeur is one of 15 creations by Lanvin in our encyclopedia.
