
Patou 'Mille' for me, is one of the most extraordinary perfumes created during the course of the latter part of the 20th century and it came as no surprise to learn that it had taken over ten years to perfect this fragrant jewel.
I remember it's launch in the early seventies and have remained a loyal and faithful devotee ever since.
And Yes, this perfume was not designed for the mass market, the couturier was indeed famous for having created the costliest perfume in the world some forty years earlier, 'Joy'
I'm sure '1000' was created as a homage to Jean Patou and modern counterpart to his 1930's flagship fragrance.
Similarities are apparent in both presentation, design and the liberal use of rare elements in perfume manufacture.
A tribute of great respect, I imagine !
The House of Patou was well established before this beauty made it's grand entrance.
Pedigree alone will not assure the longevity of any contender in this industry of fashion, beauty and fickle fads, much to our collective chagrin with so many Old Time favorites either dying out due to the inaccessibility of essences, absolutes and raw materials or simply being unceremoniously dumped or discontinued.
'1000' is basically a niche fragrance composed primarily of rare, exotic and natural components categorized as Floral Chypre, tending more to the mossy, woody notes interwoven with facets of hidden floralcy.
It's structure is so complex I was initially left bewildered after applying this gorgeous 'juice', there's just so much going on here.
The eventual and complete dry down is astounding, I know of no other remotely similar. Patou 'Mille' in my opinion is Unique !
The Osmanthus seems to impart a slightly creamy green olive odour with overtones of ripe Apricots, Grasse jasmine & rose as the primary floral heart notes ?
Violette odorata concrete and angelica also add weight to this sweet but never cloying combination.
I can only speculate on the other constituents within this phase of the dry down.
The only trade off with this natural beauty is the necessity to re apply if using the lesser concentrations.
The 'Parfum' is absolute luxury, liquid gold !
My fervent hope is for this exceptional perfume to endure, and Heaven forbid not suffer the same fate as has befallen so many other past iconic treasures from 'Patou' !
'Caline'. . . was utterly sublime before 'Sublime'
Long Live the House of "Patou" &
To the Genius of Jean Kerleo !