The Different Company: "I Miss Violet," a Violet Scent Unimagined by Innovative Perfumers

The Different Company

Debut from the brand's premium line, "Collection Excessive."

The Scent of Violet, "I miss Violet," by an Innovative Perfumer

This year marks the 15th anniversary of The Different Company, founded by the world-renowned perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena to offer true luxury in the 21st century, and the 20th anniversary of Forte, its official Japanese distributor. To commemorate these milestones, The Different Company is releasing "I miss Violet," a violet-scented fragrance from its premium line, "Collection Excessive," on June 17th (Wednesday).

Text by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)

The Brand's Aim: A "Floral Leather" Scent

Before smelling the fragrance, the name "I miss Violet" conjured images of a typical floral scent, perhaps an oriental trend. However, upon receiving the scent strip, I was taken aback.

The prior description stated, "The theme for this creation is 'floral leather,' a scent that is transparent, reminiscent of opal's glow, and evokes leather through floral and green notes." Leather? I thought. But upon smelling it, my mind went to the intense peaty aroma of single malt Scotch whisky from Islay, Scotland.

As a fragrance from The Different Company, it is, of course, unisex. However, I urge many men to experience this novel first impression.

Leather Whispers Gently

Luc Gabriel, the current president of The Different Company, was captivated by perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour's concept: "Violet has been incredibly alluring and a significant influence on iconic fragrances throughout history. To create a modern fragrance, we'll retain a subtle fruity element, like peach velvet, while typically, leather notes appear not in the top or middle but in the base for stability. In 'I miss Violet,' however, leather gently whispers, offering a refreshing aroma." After three years of repeated trials, the fragrance has finally been perfected.

Naturally, the scent of leather cannot be derived directly from animal hides. Bertrand Duchaufour, using violet leaf as a base and incorporating absolutes of violet, mimosa, and osmanthus, created a distinctly vegetal leather aroma, rather than an animalic one.

The "floral as light as foam" that President Luc Gabriel and Bertrand Duchaufour pursued gave birth to the "floral leather" fragrance family, brilliantly expressing the modernity of violet scents.

The Different Company's fragrances are composed of three lines: "Collection Classique," "L'Esprit Cologne," and "Collection Excessive," to which "I miss Violet" belongs. Collection Excessive is dedicated to rare ingredients to achieve the finest scents, with perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour's innovative and mystical creations.