New Perfume Review: Maison Francis Kurkdjian masculin Pluriel and féminin Pluriel + Un Homme et Un Femme Draw

 

1966 Claude Lelouch movie A Man and a Woman (Un homme et une femme) starring starring Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant

This review of the new Pluriel fragrances by Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris is meant to be accompanied by Claudine Longet's interpretation of the theme to the 1966 Claude Lelouch movie A Man and a Woman (Un homme et une femme) starring starring Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant.

francis kurkdjian @N.Baetens1

 I read an article in Vanity Fair recently featuring Master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian that resonated with me as I sat down to review his two latest fragrances masculin Pluriel and féminin Pluriel. He quoted Pablo Picasso ‘You copy, you copy, and one day you miss your copy, and you create a masterpiece.’   M. Kurkdjian has created two new unique perfumes for his eponymous Maison Francis Kurkdjian that at times borrow from his own body of work yet are completely original and distinctive.

maison francis kurkdjian masculin pluriel perfumes

Photo:Maison Francis Kurkdjian Website

What can be more classic and masculine than the fougere?   Masculin Pluriel opens on a slightly soapy note that is a nod to past, of barbershops and shaving cream.  As it develops, a wonderfully green vetiver rests on top of very high quality lavender absolute.  With an opening that's this traditional, it is a surprise to find an unexpected twist is at the dry down.  M. Kurkdjian creates a marvelous and distinctive leather accord, one that isn’t in your face "macho" or heavy handed; there is a hint of rough and tumble that is woody, slightly spicy and dry. masculin Pluriel exemplifies that the strength of a man comes from within.

masculine Pluriel notes from the Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris website:  Lavander absolute from Provence – Soft leather accord – Eastern red Cedar Vetiver from Haiti, Patchouli from Indonesia

maison francis kurkdjian feminin pluriel

Photo: Maison Francis Kurkdjian website

As masculin Pluriel is pure man, feminin Pluriel is pure woman. Her softness, her curves, the delicate radiance of her powdered skin comes to life at first sniff. At first, féminin Pluriel basks in her own traditional beauty.   Gauzy iris and rose give way to the delicacy of orange blossom and muguet that glow with a white light  that is crystalline.  As the fragrance develops, the classic blooms morph into what is  so gorgeously different about this perfume.  There is an incredible chypre accord that lingers for hours on my skin, a study in texture and contrast.  The velvet chocolate tinged patchouli is amplified by razor sharp vetiver that momentarily shocks and changes the classic floral perfume into something more… a scent that is totally modern and of the moment.

feminin Pluriel notes from the Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris website:  Iris from Florence VioletRose from GrasseJasmine from Egypt – Lily of the valley – Orange blossom Vetiver Patchouli from Indonesia

Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant un homme et un femme

A Man and A Woman: Jean-Louis Trintignant and  Anouk Aimée

masculin Pluriel and féminin Pluriel are sublime in their masterful, modern interpretation of two classic genres.  Together, they create a fragrant diptych that makes for the perfect perfume paring.

Disclosure: We received our samples from Europerfumes, the US distributor of Maison Francis Kukdjian

Steve Lindquist, Contributor and Editor of The Scented Hound  (with contributions from and art direction by Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief)

                                Maison Francis Kurkdjian masculin Pluriel and féminin Pluriel  perfume samples                                                          

Through the generosity of EuroPerfumes USA we have carded sprayer samples of both masculin Pluriel and féminin Pluriel for a US reader. To be eligible, please leave a comment with what appeals to you about both or either and if you have a favorite Maison Francis Kurkdjian perfume. Draw ends August 31, 2014

We announce the winners on our 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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20 comments

  • I love the idea of an updated classic feminine floral, and nobody has Francis Kurkdjian’s touch with orange blossom. I’m in the US, and I’m hoping that féminin Pluriel will be my favorite MFK scent.

  • It’s awesome that Francis Kurkdjian’s creative process is inspired by a quote from Picasso, a quote which also describes the study of, and creative process in, architecture – my profession. On a different note, it’s intriguing that masculin Pluriel is actually silver in color. Currently, my favorite MFK scent is Lumiere Noire Pour Homme. I reside in the US.

  • What a great statement “a man’s strength comes from within”. This brings to my mind empowerment of the masculine when he gets where the power comes from. Feminin sounds like perfection! Her softness,curves,radiance of her skin. All woman for sure. I would love to sample these both to see how well they play together for myself. Great review… I am in the US

  • D. D. Jackson says:

    Claude Lelouch’s film “Un homme et une femme” has always been a favorite.

    If Kukdjian has put that into a bottle, I want it.

    I’m in the US; Maison Francis Kukdjian Oud is my favorite and Septmeber 1 is my birthday… What a present that would be.

    Thank you and Best Regards

  • I am most interested in the feminine version because of the chypre aspect. I have sampled a few Maison Francis Kurkdjian perfumes but nothing really clicked…. one of these could be the one 🙂

  • My favorite MFK is probably Oud- such an interesting take on the note. And I’m very interested to try Femme, it sounds so beautifully classical and radiant. I’m in the US.

  • These sound so beautiful. Thank you so much for the opportunity to try them. “A Man and a Woman” was such a great film. If the fragrances capture anything of that, which it sounds as though they could, they will be wonderful. Again, thank you.

  • The “velvet chocolate tinged patchouli” and vetiver sounds absolutely wonderful to me. I’m a sucker for chypres. I’m in the U.S. and my favorite MFK fragrance is currently the Oud, though I’ve had limited opportunity to try much of his line as of yet.

    Thank you to EuroPerfumes USA for your generosity.

  • Lavender and leather have me wanting to try the homme version.
    I do have a favorite MFK, it’s the Oud. USA ty

  • I love MFK fragrances especially Oud… also mesmerized by his bubbles collection which I think is brilliant. I’m in the US and met him while attending Bergdorf event in NYC. Big Fan!

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    i have to give credit to Kukdjian because very few fougeres are being released now as compared to other categories and a fougere from niche brands are even more a rarity..i acquired my first one from Kurkdjian’s niche line this year (Lumiere Noire Homme) but i still think his best creation to date remains Le Male..i am in the US

  • One of my most favorite of perfumers, so I really can’t choose a favorite from this house. I’m interested in trying the féminin Pluriel to see what’s done with the blending of those floral notes. 🙂 U.S.

  • hotlanta linda says:

    A classic movie can only inspire class-act scents – something MFK does well! 🙂 I`d wear either one, from the description! We are rockin` in the USA!

  • I smelled these some three weeks back at NM and I was drawn more to Feminin. The iris and muguet in it are just fabulous. My favorite MFK is Oud Velvet Mood.

    I am in the US. Thank you for the draw.

  • Donna Spiegel says:

    So many releases are unisex it’s refreshing to see a masculine and feminine. Although who is to say that they can’t be shared??? I have several MK releases. Love what he does. APOM (for her), candles also to die for! Lumiere Noire is lovely. Oud silk mood another fab fragrance. I think what appeals to me about the feminine Pluriel is the selection of notes from the different locations They will be interesting to experience in developing through their levels. Thank you for the draw. I’m in the US.

  • The notes listed for both masculin Pluriel and féminin Pluriel appeal to me. I love lavender with a bit of woody spice. Orange blossom and muguet make me happy. And to think how the fragrances must smell together, it must be wonderful. Perhaps one (or both of these) will be my favorite from Maison Francis Kurkdjian.

    I am in the US (but I wish I were in Paris, or Deauville, or Monte Carlo) as I quietly sing along with Claudine . . . ba da ba da da da da da da . . . thank you for the truly entertaining review and for the generous draw.

  • This will be the first lavender fragrance I would try that Francis kurkdijan has worked on. I don’t really like lavender in perfumes but I can’t wait to try this. My fav. Kurkdijan fragrance is oud silk mood, oud and aqua universallies.
    USA thanks

  • Chypre accord and “chocolate tinged patchouli,” be still my heart. The féminin Pluriel is made for me! I’m in the US, thanks.

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    I’m looking for a mixed floral that i can wear anywhere, anytime and that’s what appeals to me about féminin Pluriel. I have not yet had the pleasure of experiencing a Maison Francis Kurkdjian perfume.