Portrait : Alexandra Monet​

Bathed in soft moonlight, a flower inspires a fragrance gracefully. Meet Alexandra Monet, the perfumer behind Fleur de Lune — a subtle ode to Chinese traditions, reinvented with a contemporary gaze and sincere touch.

What was your inspiration behind Fleur de Lune?​

This fragrance draws inspiration from Chinese traditions, where Osmanthus flowers has been cultivated for over 2,500 years. Its delicate white blossoms, rich in fragrance, are harvested by gently shaking the shrub over large, fresh linen cloths — an age-old gesture that remains a source of inspiration to this day. ​

Could you share a glimpse into your creative process?​

According to Chinese mythology, on certain nights, the goddess Chang’e casts a shower of soft, shimmering petals over the earth, a sign of her gentle, watchful presence. Another legend tells of Wu Gang, condemned to chop down a great lunar Osmanthus tree, only for it to grow back each night, a myth echoing Sisyphus, and one that gives Osmanthus its celestial origin.​

These tales inspired me to celebrate this emblematic flower, so deeply rooted in the Chinese soul. In Fleur de Lune, Osmanthus takes centre stage in a fragrance laced with floral, fruity and leathery nuances — revealing every facet of this rare and precious ingredient. ​

Might this fragrance offer a French interpretation of the legend?​

Yes, that was precisely my intention. As a Westerner, I’m captivated by Chinese culture, it fascinates me, even as it retains an air of mystery. ​

Fleur de Lune reveals a composition that is quintessentially French, with a heart structured like a bouquet where magnolia and sambac jasmine intertwine. I also enhanced the leathery note naturally found in Osmanthus absolute, as a subtle homage to the traditions of perfumery. ​

How did you tame the Osmanthus? And how did you recreate this scent?​

I brought together two of its olfactory facets, opposite yet complementary: the absolute and the infusion, like Yin and Yang. The absolute, a rich and complex raw material, releases leathery, fruity notes, but remains far removed from the delicacy of a fresh flower. To give Fleur de Lune a lighter, more airy touch, I introduced Chinese magnolia and an exceptional jasmine sambac, with nuances of orange blossom and green, sensual facets. In terms of sensation, it evokes the scent of Osmanthus flowers used to perfume certain Chinese teas.

Fleur de Lune unveils a trail full of contrasts. How did you shape these nuances?​

I set out to reveal the full richness of this singular flower, caught between airy softness and sensuality. My aim was to compose a clear, balanced formula in which each facet could fully express itself. It took patience and a certain persistence to reach this perfect harmony.​

Through Fleur de Lune, you reveal a deeply personal approach to fragrance. In your view, what does it mean to be an Artisan Perfumer?​

To be an Artisan Perfumer is to have the privilege of working with beautiful materials, to nurture the precision of the craft, and to create a moment of pause — a suspended, timeless experience.​