Diptyque unveils first new fragrance since 2021

Diptyque has launched its first new fragrance since 2021, developed by perfumer Fabrice Pellegrin and artist Alix Waline. The fragrance is designed to be a "flawless portrayal of paper and a way for each wearer to express their unique individuality".

L’Eau Papier begins with the extract of roasted sesame seeds, evoking the scent of ink. This is blended with steamed rice and blond wood accords, floral mimosa notes and white musks, resulting in a recreation of the "sensitive interaction of when ink is applied to paper".

Just like ink permeating different sheets of paper differently, the Eau de Toilette will produce different results from one skin to another and over time, due to the way the white musks keeps developing.

Commenting on the fragrance, Fabrice Pellegrin said: “Creating a perfume for Diptyque is like writing a book. You have to have a story, an introduction, a structure – the primary materials that echo each other to form a narrative.

"For L’Eau Papier, I started with one initial ingredient, grain – in the form of roasted sesame seeds. This is the surprise element in the fragrance. I chose it to evoke the novel scent of ink and to add a delicate flavour to the scent.

"I enhanced this by working in musky notes, to heighten the sensual aspect. Then I added floral mimosa notes with gentle, powdery properties, to supplement the gentle note of paper. The uniqueness of the cereal and ink accords, blended with the sweetness of white musks, creates the scent of paper – and this combination is what defines the fragrance."

The name of the new creation brings together water and paper, recalling both the history of the Maison and the founding trio’s "driving passion for the line and the brush-stroke".

In a contrast to traditional illustrations for Diptyque perfumes, the bottle features an impressionistic, abstract composition in black and white. The brand said this means each individual is free to interpret the work as they please, devising a story of their own. 

The L’Eau Papier fragrance joins the Maison's existing scents, such as bestsellers Fleur De Peau, Orpheon and Do Son.