The emblematic tassel is hand-made by a Moroccan female cooperative

Artist and gilder Manuela Paul-Cavallier was called upon by Yves Saint Laurent Beauté to transform its iconic bottle of the “Opium” fragrance into one that speaks of contemporary expression to mark the brand’s 40 years of success and audacity.

Leveraging on her “know-how” as a gilt restorer, Paul-Cavallier reworked on the bottle using pointed brushes and applied various meticulous and highly skilled techniques, and completed the craft with touches of striking gold as a symbol of a metal object that was very dear to Yves Saint Laurent at that time.

The opaque red lacquer with a glass window on the right side offers a glimpse of the fragrance within.

The new scent from the anniversary edition evokes memories from the story, based on the legendary Opium fragrance which began 1977, has a symbolic meaning to the addiction of life and love, described literary as “translating the passion that can unite two people right from their first spellbinding look.”

Inspired by small Japanese lacquered cases called inrō, the “Opium” artisanal fragrance bottle has a black silk tassel, with a bead added to bring a couture touch to the design.

Uncap the bottle and the top notes linger of mandarin, combined with middle floral notes of jasmine and miniature carnation, and a base comprising amber and patchouli, created to shake up the codes of ready-to-wear and couture.

The scent’s bottle is made to look bold and outstanding in association with the various faces of the Opium women who were feisty and audacious with an attitude. “Charismatic and passionate well-known figures including Jerry Hall, Linda Evangelista, Kate Moss and, more recently, Emily Blunt, have all fronted the perfume.”