Julien's Unique Approach to Creating Fragrances

From candles, which enhance one's lifestyle, to fragrances, a more personal and sublime realm. This transition, Pruvost explains, was a natural evolution for the brand. "We are the oldest candle maker in France, but we only began creating scented candles in the last decade," he says.

"However, delving into our history, we discovered that we were indeed crafting scented candles and perfumes as far back as the 18th century. It also seems that members of the Trudon lineage were involved in handling aromatic spices. Learning about this historical background became the catalyst for creating new fragrances."

The development of fragrance candles also led to collaborations with exceptional perfumers, which proved to be a significant impetus for creating these new fragrances. Pruvost devised a unique method to draw out the perfumers' sensibilities.

"When commissioning a scent, I first created a story. Instead of simply handing them a written narrative, I immersed the perfumers in an experience linked to the story. I took them to specific locations like galleries or museums, created an atmosphere with light and music to help them relax and absorb the world, and then shared the story... It's about a 45-minute immersive experience designed to stimulate their imagination. It's a bit like art therapy, isn't it? (laughs)"

The sense of smell is said to be the most primal of human senses. This is why scents can evoke old memories or trigger specific emotions. For those who create them, as well as those who receive them, fragrance must be an intensely sensory experience.

"I believe the quality of a fragrance hinges on how freely a perfumer can unleash their senses. I merely provide the framework of a story. That's why I was meticulous about the presentation. Fortunately, they were delighted. They ask me every time we meet, 'Julien, when is the next new experience?' (laughs)"

Page 02.The Stories Within Five Fragrances

The Stories Within Five Fragrances

Let's explore the stories Pruvost envisioned, alongside the fragrances. Five distinct scents are categorized under three overarching themes that define Trudon: 'Dynasty,' 'Religion,' and 'Revolution.'

BRUMA

A fragrance belonging to the 'Dynasty' theme, created by perfumer Antoine Lie.

Pruvost invited Lie to the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature in Paris's Marais district. He had all the curtains drawn in the space, where historical art and contemporary pieces coexist alongside numerous taxidermied animals, allowing only a sliver of light to enter. "The story is about a princess who escapes her castle and ventures into the night forest on horseback. The wild sensuality, driven by instinct, is beautifully expressed in the fragrance."

Pruvost wove keywords that evoke scent into the narrative. "Rivers, damp earth, a woman's clothing... From these, Antoine made associations, perhaps reflecting them mentally or incorporating them as materials. The river and damp earth were expressed using iris root."

OLIM

A fragrance belonging to the 'Dynasty' theme, created by perfumer Lyn Harris.

OLIM, Latin for 'another time,' tells a story of 13th-century French royal splendor and the decline of feudalism.

"The spicy, oriental notes feature a powdery aspect for beauty, a spicy facet for decadence, and a resinous base symbolizing the path to wealth, expressing a purity grounded in opulence."

II

A fragrance belonging to the 'Religion' theme, created by perfumer Lyn Harris.

"This is a love story about the union of two distinct entities. A man and woman living in the forest emerge from their home, stroll through the woods, and stand beneath a tree... much like Adam and Eve. It evokes the image of beginnings."

The fragrance, with its vibrant green notes underpinned by a base of cedarwood and incense, conveys a sense of vitality and is consciously designed to be shared by both men and women.

RÉVOLUTION

A fragrance belonging to the 'Revolution' theme, created by perfumer Lyn Harris.

Inspired by the French Revolution, the scent narrates the journey from intense emotional conflict to the arrival of peace through its evolving notes.

"Lyn had always wanted to create a fragrance themed around revolution. It's very characteristic of him to express the potentially brutal subject of revolution as a mysterious shift in emotions."

From a bold, smoky aroma to the expansive diffusion of incense, this fragrance offers a literary world.

MORTEL

A fragrance belonging to the 'Revolution' theme, created by perfumer Yann Vasnier.

"MORTEL is the opposite of IMMORTEL (immortal), meaning 'mortal' or 'perishable.' It embodies the idea that even when an artist departs this world, their work and the evidence of their existence remain... For instance, like Brancusi's atelier left before the Pompidou Centre. It's a complex scent, but black pepper, myrrh, and frankincense create a remarkable harmony."

Interestingly, both Yann and Lyn completed their respective fragrances, 'MORTEL' and 'RÉVOLUTION,' through the same immersive experience.

The TRUDON Perfume Collection
Bruma, Olim, II, Révolution, Mortel
All five Eau de Parfum, 100ml each. ¥27,000 (tax included)

A Brand Defined by Exceptional Sensibilities

When asked about the value of the CIRE TRUDON brand, Pruvost offered this insight:

"Firstly, we have a long history. However, we are not merely nostalgic. The current CIRE TRUDON creates products for people living today, not for Marie Antoinette. We simply strive to create the best for our customers at any given time, and the repetition of this process has become our history. Simultaneously, we hold deep respect for our heritage. To express this, for example, we use the same glass for our fragrance bottles as for our candles, and the glass caps feature the same ripple design as our fragrance diffusers. While evoking the brand's history, the finish is distinctly modern."

What about the scents themselves? Is there a signature Trudon aroma?

"The presence of perfumers and their delicate sensibilities are paramount. No matter how prestigious our mark, without perfumers, we cannot create anything. What ingredients to use, what kind of scent to craft – it's all entrusted to the perfumers. We merely provide a subtle guideline."

Julien PRUVOST

Creative Director, CIRE TRUDON
After starting his career in product development and merchandising within the fashion industry, he became an independent business consultant after working as a buyer. Since 2010, he has been involved in product development and marketing as the General Manager of CIRE TRUDON. His creative vision has been fully realized in this fragrance launch.