“Every woman has a feline side and every flower has a hidden animal essence.” – Mathilde Laurent
Mysterious, chic, and graceful, the panther is a recurring symbol of inspiration in the house of Cartier. Created by Mathilde Laurent, the brand’s in-house perfumer, La Panthère Eau de Parfum is a unique floral scent that is her expression of “majestic, yet, ultimately delicate femininity.” This fragrance isn’t a new release (it was launched in March 2014) but a recent discovery on my part; and one I’m very glad to have made considering it’s now a permanent fixture in my daily beauty routine.
The elegant glass bottle is one of the first to be carved from the inside, revealing the features of a captivating panther, outlined by the liquid perfume.
The Notes
Top: Bright fruit nuances
Heart: Gardenia, Patchouli
Base: Musk, Leather, Oak Moss
The Scent
Whilst this fragrance is essentially a sensual chypre, its play on contrasting notes is both fascinating and addictive. It opens with a sparkling, vaguely fruity haze reminiscent of biting rhubarb or a tart green apple. This soon fades, giving way to a heart bursting with gardenias, accentuated with patchouli. This particular choice of white flower, as opposed to jasmine or lily of the valley for example, gives the perfume a touch of splendour without being overly oriental. The dry-down reveals a harmony of creamy musk, leather and earthy woods which adds an animalic complexity that gradually gets milder with wear. The result- a suede softness with a sultry gardenia undertone.
La Panthère instantly exudes old-world glamour but with a very wearable contemporary edge. It has excellent tenacity and is balanced enough to make the transition from day to night. This is a great choice for those that like to make a subtle impact with their fragrances without heading full throttle for the heavy-handed oriental scents. If you want to step away from the “safe” zesty florals, this perfume is the perfect introduction to the world of modern chypres.
Have you tried this fragrance? What did you think?
