New Perfume Review: Collection Métal Atelier Cologne Rendez-Vous + The Kiss Draw

MarilynNakazaro2

Marilyn Nakazato Photography

They were strangers when their eyes met on a crowded Metro car in Paris. He offered her his seat but she demurred, albeit with a small smile. When they emerged from beneath the street to find it was raining, he offered her his umbrella. On impulse, she took his arm instead, and the rest is history.

sylvie ganter and  christophe cervesal atelier cologne cafleurebon

Coupe de Foudre Creative Directors: Christophe Cervasel and Sylvie Ganter

Creative Directors Sylvie Gantier and Christophe Cervasel were colleagues nearly nine years before starting their own Perfumery, and if the latest addition to Atelier Cologne’s Collection Métal is any indication, there might have been romance in the air. Rendez-Vous, which is exclusive to Atelier boutiques, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, was created by the talented perfumer Jerome Epinette of Robertet, as a celebration of the fifth anniversary of the couple’s fragrance line. Rendez-Vous stays perfectly true to Atelier Cologne’s DNA; cologne with sillage.

rodin the kiss rendez vous perfume

Auguste Rodin The Kiss 1889

Rendez-Vous opens with a spicy citrus scent composed of Calabrian bergamot, pink pepper and Sicilian lemon, approximating the anticipation of a couple's first kiss.  Like Cupid’s arrow, it very quickly goes straight to the heart; a lush, juicy osmanthus. Its heady sweet scent is reminiscent of the first bite of an apricot at the height of ripeness and is supported brilliantly by the green scent of violet leaves and earthy orris, making it feel vibrant and alive. Base notes of suede, patchouli and white musk intertwine with the fruity floral notes like lovers' limbs.

atelier cologne absolue rendez vous perfume cafleurebon

Atelier Cologne Rose Gold Flacon and Tableau

Rendez-Vous is a synesthetic experience.  You can smell, touch and see textures; the velvet of petals, the feel of brushed suede, and the sensation of creamy butter with color and flavor. (The only sense this fragrance does not stimulate for me is hearing.) When you’re head over heels in love, you don’t want variety, you only want your beloved, and I could happily wear Rendez-Vous day after day without ever growing tired of it.

I joke that I don’t have to marry every single fragrance that buys me a drink (unless it is a French 75 cocktail), but Rendez-Vous is a scent that continues to fascinate me and hold my attention as it did at the very first spritz. Like a first kiss, Rendez-Vous left me longing for more.

Disclosure: I received my sample of Rendez-Vous from Atelier Cologne Boutique in Brooklyn, New York

Nancy Knows,  Deputy Editor and Beauty Editor

 

rendez vous  atelier cologne 30 ml

Photo: Atelier Cologne

Thanks to the great generosity of Atelier Cologne we have a beautiful customized 30 ml rose gold flacon of Rendez-Vous for one lucky reader from the U.S., Canada, or the E.U. To enter, please comment indicating what your favorite Atelier Cologne fragrance is and why you would like to try Rendez-Vous. Draw ends 7/31/204.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

 

 

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49 comments

  • Rendez-Vous sounds promising! I am a big fan of this house and admire Christophe and Sylvie for reinventing the cologne genre/creating the cologne absolue; my current favorite from Atelier Cologne is Vetiver Fatal. I would like to try Rendez-Vous to experience the synesthesia that Nancy described. 🙂

  • What a beautiful review! I love Atelier Colognes and have tried quite a few of them. So far I like them all. My favorite is Mistral Patchouli. “When you’re head over heels in love, you don’t want variety, you only want your beloved”. That’s why I must try Rendez-Vous.

  • Anastasia says:

    I have never met an Atelier that I don’t ABSOLUTELY LOVE! I have so many favorites but I am curently head over heels with Santal Carmin. I’m actually wearing Cedrat Enivrant as I write this. I am looking forward to trying Rendez Vous, because of the heart note of Osmanthus. Every launch from this House is tremendously exciting for me! Thank you for this great article, Nancy, and to Atelier/CaFleureBon, for this exciting opportunity!

  • My favorite Atelier Cologne is Bois Blonds, and I love osmanthus in perfume 🙂 I am in the US, thanks!

  • Janet in California says:

    I love Vanille Insensée, and wear it often in the winter. I have to admit I have not tried many of the Atelier line. Which is why I would like to try the Rendez-Vous.
    I live in the US and thanks for the wonderful draw.

  • ringthing says:

    Gorgeous review and bottle! There’s lots of Atelier Cologne to love but I’d pick Orange Sanguine as my favorite and I want to try Rendez-Vous because I’m a Jerome Epinette fangirl 🙂 Thanks for another generous draw, I’m in the US.

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    This sounds like Atelier’s best yet – osmanthus is my favorite floral note! My favorite thus far is Silver Iris, and I’d love to see how the orris in this supports the osmanthus. Thank you so much for the generous draw! I am in the US.

  • silvrolive says:

    Osmanthus, osmanthus, osmanthus- I just adore it! That’s why I would like to try Rendez-Vous. So far my favorites are Cedrat Envirant and Silver Iris. I am in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • My favorite is Silver Iris, with Gold Leather a close second. Would love to try Rendez-Vou, it sounds wonderful!

  • The notes in this one sound wonderful and I love the color of the flacon. My favorite Atelier is Orange Sanguine, one of the prettiest juicy orange fragrances I know and own. Summer happiness in a bottle. I am in the US

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    i am interested in this fragrance because first of all, the name is kinda interesting and second, it is homage in some regards to the founder’s own romantic story..my favorite Atelier fragrance is Orange Sanguine..thanks a lot for the generous draw. i am in the US.

  • My favorite Atelier fragrance is Rose Anonyme. I would love to try Rendez-Vous because it sounds gorgeous. The color of the bottle is alluring too. 🙂

    I live in the U.S.

  • My favorite Atelier is Mistral Patchouli. Rendez-Vous’ suede note sounds interesting. I do love suede in perfumes and am looking forward to trying this one. The bottle’s rose gold color is beautiful.

    Thanks for the draw. I’m in Canada.

  • My favorite Aftelier is Vetiver Fatale. I’d love to try Rendez-Vous because the combination of Osmanthus, violet, and suede together sound like a gorgeous combination. Thanks, and I live in the US.

  • This one sounds so exciting, I crave osmanthus at the moment. I have yet to try any Atelier Cologne fragrances, I’d say that rendezvous and silver iris are now both very high on my must try very soon list. Sadly, these are not sold where I live, so this is an extra wonderful opportunity 🙂 I’m in the EU. Thanks for the draw.

  • My favorite Atelier is actually the Rose Anonyme. I have always enjoyed this fragrance and I adore the sound of this new one. The descriptions are beautiful and very evocative. The idea that it touches all the senses must be truly what a perfume should do. Its a Rendez-vous. I live in the US.

  • My favorite Atelier is actually a tie between Rose Anonyme and Vanille Insensee, but I don’t love either enough to purchase. I love the sound of this one- who knows, maybe I’ll finally find an Atelier to love. I’m in the US.

  • My favourite atelier is Trefle Pur, I like the bracing green.
    I’d like to try the new one because I enjoy osmanthus and would be interested in the atelier take.

  • If this the one thing that “continues to fascinate me and hold my attention”, then I must experience it! I love the notes in this, and would like to find the one I would never tire of. This is a great review! I live in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • What fascinates me about Rendez Vous is the background story to it as well as the violet and suede (two of my favorite notes in perfumery). My fave Atelier is Vetiver Fatale.

    I am in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • Marcopietro says:

    Rendez-Vous sounds so gorgeous and irresistible, its mix of osmanthus, violet leaves , orris and patchouli could make me fall in love.
    My favorite Atelier Cologne is Vetiver Fatale.
    I live in EU.
    Thanks!

  • Donna Spiegel says:

    When I first read your article on Rendez-Vous, I could not wait to try it. It sounds wonderful. Any fragrances that leaves you wanting more, is for me. I like the way the different notes seem to play off one another. My favorite Atelier Cologne is Orange Sanguine (so far). 🙂
    Maybe this one will make the top of the list!
    thank you for the draw. I am in the US.

  • Lovely review and I adore all atelier colognes ! So easy to wear. Lately I have been wearing Vetiver Fatal
    I am a US reader and would like to try rendez vous as the description was marvelous, love the picture of Rodin the kiss
    Who wouldn’t want that?

  • My favorite Atelier Cologne is Trefle Pur,
    I would love to experience Rendez-Vous–it sounds like a one of the deeper richer scents that Atelier has offered.
    thanks.

  • My fav. Atelier cologne is vetiver fatal and as with new fragrance introduced by this house I want to try it absolutely.
    Thanks USA

  • Jennifer Witt says:

    Vetiver Fatale is my favorite Atelier fragrance but they are all very very beautiful. Rendez-Vous would be lovely to try as I adore scents with suede in them! Thanks for the draw.

  • I really like most Aftelier scents, but the one I reach for most is Vetiver Fatale – it seems to grounding yet has a lighter side. A friend, who doesn’t like most perfumes, like Gold Leather, and that is growing on me. But I have yet try them all! I m a big fan of Osmanthus, so will be trying this out when it gets to my local Neiman Marcus. I am in the US.

    Love the intro to the article!

  • My favorite is Vanille Insensee, and I’d love to try this because I’ve enjoyed every fragrance from this house. I’m in the US. Osmanthus is a tricky note to highlight in a perfume, but I’m betting they nailed it!

  • Your description of this scent reminds me of a beautiful old love letter. I’m not lucky enough to own a bottle of any Atelier fragrance, but I would love to try this scent! US resident.

  • My favorite Atelier is Orange Sanguine for the very accurate smelling orange rind! I’d love to try this because I’m looking for the perfect fruity-suede.

  • rainboweyes says:

    My favourite from the line is Silver Iris. The orris, osmanthus and violet combo makes Rendez-vous very appealing to me. I’m in the EU.

  • I like a lot of the fragrances in this line. Right now, I would have to say my favorite is Cedrat Enivrant, but that could change in cooler weather! I would like to try Rendez-Vous because the combination of suede and osmanthus sounds glorious. I’m in the US.

  • My favourite from this one is Vetiver Fatal. I want to try Rendez-Vous because the base notes are something that I think I might like. Suede and patchouli is quite interesting.

    I live in Eu. Thanks

  • I love every single Atelier scent that I have been lucky enough to try.My favorite so far would be Gold Leather but this one sounds wonderful – I love the combination of notes.Thank you for the chance – I live in the USA.

  • Mmm, spicy citrus with a heart of osmanthus sounds promising, but of course it’s the base notes that really grab me. Suede, patchouli, musk, what’s not to like? Currently, my favorite Atelier would have to be Vanille Insensee, but I really look forward to trying more. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the U.S.

  • I did not try of any Altelier Cologne perfume, but from the review, I think it is a very lovely fragrance. I would like to try this perfume, because I suppose, that it’s a very nice one.
    I live in Europe.

  • My favorite is Vanille Insensee. I love the note of osmanthus, and I find all their colognes to be very well done. I’m in the US. Thanks!

  • My favorite is Cedrat Envirant. And I want this one because of the chance at the synesthetic experience. USA

  • Nancy Knows says:

    Thanks to all for the kind words. Rendez Vous is truly lovely and leaves me very excited to try more from this line. (Sous le Toit de Paris is already a favorite.)

  • Laurentiu says:

    My favourite is Rose Anonyme. Even if some men would think twice when they hear about rose in a fragrance, Rose Anonyme is perfectly balanced, the combination of oud and rose give it a good masculine touch, but it can easily be worn by women alike.

    I want to try Rendez-Vous because of the name and also because of the basenotes. Many favourites of mine there.

    I live in Eu.

    Thanks for the draw!

  • My fave Atelier is Orange Sanguine. Rendez-Vous sounds lovely. I find the osmanthus – orris – suede combination particularly enticing and would like to much to try it.
    I live in the EU. Thanks for the draw!

  • Jeannie 07 says:

    My favorite Atelier Cologne is Silver Iris. I would love to try Rendez-Vous because I’m a fan of Atelier Colognes and Nancy’s review made it very intriguing to resist to it especially after her sayings : “When you’re head over heels in love, you don’t want variety, you only want your beloved, and I could happily wear Rendez-Vous day after day without ever growing tired of it. ”
    This is exactly what I want from a fragrance a scent that fascinates and holds my attention as it did the very first moment I placed it on my skin.

  • Jeannie 07 says:

    My favorite Atelier Cologne is Silver Iris. I would love to try Rendez-Vous because I’m a fan of Atelier Colognes and Nancy’s review made it very intriguing to resist to it especially after her sayings : “When you’re head over heels in love, you don’t want variety, you only want your beloved, and I could happily wear Rendez-Vous day after day without ever growing tired of it. ”
    This is exactly what I want from a fragrance a scent that fascinates and holds my attention as it did the very first moment I placed it on my skin.
    I live in EU and I thank you for this lovely lovely review and draw.

  • I want to try this one offered in the draw to see what the earthy orris and suede notes bring. 🙂
    Silver Iris is one Atelier Cologne I wear a lot. USA

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    I love their spicy floral Blanche Immortelle and would like to try this new fragrance as I love pink pepper. The flacon is beautiful!

  • My favorite Atelier is Silver Iris. Rendezvous sounds really intriguing, and the color of the bottle is gorgeous. Thanks for the drawing. I live in the USA.

  • My favourite Atelier has to be Blanche Immortelle, spicy, floral, dense and almost syrupy. I also just tried the new Out Saphir and apart from being incredibly long-lasting, in my very humble opinion is one of the most beautiful renditions of the feeling of floral-oud. I would love to enter the draw and try the gorgeous-sounding Rendez-Vouz, it sounds intoxicating which is my favourite kind of feel when I am wearing a perfume. Thank you for the drawing. I live in the UK