Some fragrances are created like novels. L’Amant is one of them. Inspired by the power of words and transgressive passions, Nathalie Lorson has opted to put ink at the heart of her fragrance, tinged with desire and emotion.  
 
An interview with a perfumer whose fragrance has been crafted like a meticulously revised manuscript, with an evolving narrative that is deeply evocative. 

L’Amant is a name that resonates with many. What was your starting point for creating this fragrance? 
Personally, L’Amant [The Lover] is above all, the title of a novel. Marguerite Duras’ novel, of course. But it also echoes other passionate, transgressive stories, like Madame Bovary, Anna Karenina, and Belle du Seigneur.  

“I wanted to put the same material used to write these stories at the heart of this fragrance: ink. Not an abstract idea, but embodied ink that tattoos its woody and leathery notes onto the skin.” 

How have you conveyed this idea through scent? 
I worked with an elegant mineral ink blend that I wanted to combine with the fieriness of a chilli pepper leaf, which is a first for me. This core duo creates a magnetic tension between coolness and warmth, intensity and sensuality. “ Like literature, these two heroes are surrounded by materials that enhance the story: patchouli hyphenates, black pepper adds fire, and cypriol injects its smoky magnetism, while sandalwood and vetiver leave their scent on the skin. They all contribute to giving the fragrance its novelistic depth.” 

Have you ever worked with ink and a chilli pepper leaf before? How have you recreated this very specific scent? 

It was a first to have combined these two materials and their contrast is a true stroke of genius. The chilli pepper leaf opens the fragrance with intense, spicy notes, full of warmth. As for the ink blend, it is a recomposition of mine: I drew from a palette of natural and synthetic materials to evoke, not only the minerality of pigments in cave paintings, but also the elegance of a manuscript

What were your main challenges? 
Just like a manuscript, creating a formula entailed alterations and corrections. I reworked the fragrance many times so that the ink blend could remain strong, while becoming sensual. The challenge was combining a cool minerality with the warmth of skin and the intensity of emotions. 

L’Amant paints a picture of an encounter, like that of two characters in a book. Did you have a specific story in mind? 
I didn’t picture real characters, but I like to think that each person would experience their own emotions in the fragrance. Like a book that pulls you in, it speaks differently and deeply to each person. It’s almost like a game of seduction. 

What does L’Artisan Parfumeur mean to you, and what does it mean to be an Artisan Parfumeur [Artisan Perfumer]? 

It’s a House that’s open to all sorts of cultural influences, that dares to venture off the beaten path, while staying true to the demand for beautiful materials. To be an Artisan Parfumeur means specifically taking the time to create unique fragrances and doing your own unconventional research, while perfectly mastering your technique to bring creative ideas to life and combine different worlds.