Agent Provocateur launch a fragrance with a dark side: Pétale Noir

In a members’ club in Mayfair a forest has sprung up, just for a day, complete with ethereally glowing bottles of a new fragrance by Agent Provocateur. The forest, which took over seven hours to set up in the opulent room, is a combination of pretty flowers, dark moss and fallen fruit. The overall message is one of temptation and something complex. The room is dimly lit, making what could be a sterile press event into an intimate experience. The romantic display against the reserved and masculine decor helps to set a sexy tone.

The fragrance itself, Pétale Noir, is definitely part of the Agent Provocateur family, with its signature combination of sweetness and darkness, its spicy warmth and changeable notes, not quite like anything else, not the usual perfume experience. The woman who shops at Agent Provocateur is a woman who takes charge of her life, and it takes that confidence to wear these fragrances.

“Like the woman who wears it. Pétale Noir is a beautiful and exquisite creation waiting to be unleashed.”

The concept behind this new release is the idea of a dark secret, a passionate side within a sweet and delicate body. Even the glass bottle reflects this, complete with dainty white floral illustrations entwined with darker thorns. A black chain at the neck provides that much needed edge.

Pétale Noir, as its name suggests is definitely a floral fragrance, its description informs us that there is an oriental influence but that comes later, the initial smell takes the wearer somewhere more personal, somewhere from childhood, running around in the woods, close to nature, inhaling rain soaked earth and flowers. That effect can be put down to the varied floral top notes, water lily, violet leaves, hyacinth and magnolia to name a few. The better known Provocateur notes come next; the rose absolute and ylang ylang, mixed with unexpected and rare sounding neroli caress heliotrope and osmanthus. Finally the bottom notes bring out the spice and the darkness, ginger, tobacco leaf, amber and, the most masculine of the lot, leather.

Unlike some of the stronger ones in the AP collection, this fragrance can be worn all year round, in all weathers and for all occasions. There will be a body elixir launched alongside, promising aphrodisiac properties and a tingly feeling on the skin. Pétale Noir will be on sale in selected department stores in October.

Sarah Cleaver