Inès de la Fressange’s 30-Year Love Affair with Iconic Perfume Defining Parisian Elegance

When it comes to choosing a fragrance, there are no hard and fast rules. Some people enjoy amassing a collection of scents to suit the changing seasons, while others, like Inès de la Fressange, opt to define themselves with a signature scent that stands the test of time. At 68, the former model has become synonymous with a legendary fragrance whose allure spans decades and remains as impactful as ever.

In an interview with Marie Claire, Inès de la Fressange shared insights into her beauty regimen, including the revelation of her long-time favorite fragrance. She confesses to having a “difficult time with newer perfumes“, expressing a strong preference for classic scents. Her fragrance of choice is Mitsouko by Guerlain, an iconic scent she describes as “sophisticated and not overpowering“. For her, it is akin to an essential piece of clothing: “it’s like a navy blue sweater“, timeless, understated, and elegant.

Mitsouko by Guerlain has been a part of Inès de la Fressange’s life for a long time, even affecting her family life. “When my daughters were little, they would say ‘mom, you’re wearing mosquito’ and they really didn’t want me to wear it!“, she shared with Paris Select Book in 2019.

Created in 1919 by Jacques Guerlain, Mitsouko, which means “mystery” in Japanese, is a legendary chypre with a pioneering fruity accord that was avant-garde for its time, embodying a sophistication that is both feminine and subtly androgynous. It opens with the crispness of mandarin, bergamot, and lemon, which unfolds into a bright freshness. The heart notes of rose, peach, neroli, and jasmine deliver a delicate and sensual bouquet, while the base notes of oakmoss, vetiver, patchouli, and vanilla provide a rich, enveloping depth.