Enlèvement au Sérail is an elegant ‘retro’ chypre perfume, and one of Parfums MDCI’s first major successes. This refined and complex fragrance unfolds enchantingly throughout the day. It begins with a soft and sensual floral bouquet that gradually transitions into warm, comforting base notes with a rare, velvety depth.
Master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian created this fragrance in 2006, far before he opened his own Maison. He combined sparkling top notes of bergamot and mandarin with a rich floral blend on a deep base of patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla, and vetiver.
Claude Marchal originally asked master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian to create just one feminine fragrance, inspired by Femme de Rochas: the scent his mother loved to wear. Instead, Kurkdjian returned with three creations so captivating that Marchal chose to keep all three. And so, Promesse de l’Aube, Enlèvement au Sérail, and Rose de Siwa were born.
The name is borrowed from the opera by Mozart with the same name. Enlevement au Serail is all about the romantic love story of a passionate escape away from the harem, where a nobleman attempts to rescue his beloved from the palace of a powerful Pasha.
"Enlèvement au Sérail shows the beauty and splendour of the Golden Era. It backtracks to when rich, gorgeous olfactory pyramids were abundant and captivating. It’s our statement to the commitment of keeping true to our roots, which is the art of perfumes." - Parfums MDCI
Ylang ylang, Mandarin, Bergamot, Jasmine, Tuberose, Rose, Wallflower, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Vetiver
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Chypre
A classic chypre is characterized by top notes of citrus, often bergamot; a full-floral heart, like jasmine and rose; and mossy, woody notes in the base, such as patchouli, oak moss, and labdanum. For those who appreciate fragranced complexity and layered compositions, chypres are very exciting and worthwhile to explore!
Enlèvement au Sérail - eau de parfum
Francis Kurkdjian
Francis Kurkdjian hardly needs any introduction: this famous perfumer already made a name for himself at the age of 26 when he created the international best seller Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male. The following decade, Kurkdjian worked for prestigious brands, including Dior, Elizabeth Arden, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, alongside collaborating with private clients. After working with big brands, Kurkdjian embraced a new opportunity and started his very own brand in 2009: Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Perfume Lounge was at the launch of this beautiful brand in Paris and was proud to introduce his brand to the Netherlands as the very first perfumery. Kurkdjian is versatile and creative. He elegantly combines two cultures of his French-Armenian heritage into fragrances with a natural richness. The collection of Maison Francis Kurkdjian is like a perfume wardrobe for different moments, emotions and moods.