December 1, 2010
Robert Piguet Calypso: Aurelian Guichard’s Elegant Enchantment
Sweet sensuous Calypso.
Nymph daughter of the Titan Atlas, she held Odysseus hostage on her island of Ogygia for seven years…
Some hospitality!
That takes major mojo.
I was never privileged to smell the 1959 Piguet original release-
But thanks to lovely Lindsey Adams, Director Of Training for Robert Piguet Parfums-
I was able to sample the new rendering of Calypso, authored by Givaudan’s gorgeous Aurelien Guichard .
Calypso is floral seduction on a subtler scale.
It has no need to scream; when you utilize the best- both in perfumer and materials-
Quality will caress the nose, all by itself.
Calypso is thoroughly modern–feeling, without losing the romance of the rose and iris, so tender and voluptuously dewy in the heart of the matter.
A gentle mandarin greets geranium at first; geranium knows so well how to woo the rose.
Mandarin is vivacious, youthful, and playful.
No doubt there are aldehydes present, to lift and diffuse this freshness further.
Bulgarian rose, orris butter, rosa centifolia grace the richly floral heart.
How I love this moment, where lush abundance sings mellifluously.
It lasts all throughout the development of this airy charmer.
The base is ever-so-soft but tenacious…
Patchouli, Ambroxan, amber, and a suede-similar note.
Two attributes that surprise:
This has a gossamer ozonic timbre, although absolutely no Calone can be detected, and nothing even vaguely ozonic is credited.
Perhaps, it is the choice of aldehyde [some feel ‘cooler’ than others, or more
effervescent ]
And guess what?
I don’t even care.
It’s simply lovely in this composition.
AMBROXAN.
Yes, it’s there, but THIS is how it’s supposed to be used!
With a delicate, deft, masterly touch-
Not a sledgehammer.
Calypso is enticement insinuated.
It will linger like a veil of enchantment around you all day-
Without brashly violating the olfactory space of others.
Younger women will treasure it because it feels weightlessly lovely and effortlessly right; mature women will prize it for its rich subtlety and elegance.
Men who wear florals beautifully but feel hesitant ought to give this one a go; you know how I feel about gender and perfume 
I don’t see how you can go wrong with this one.
Wear it because it’s beautiful…..
A lucky commenter can receive a sample, thanks to Lindsey. Draw end December 5, 2010
Photo Credits:
Calypso welcoming Odysseus- hubpages.com
Lovely Lindsey at Monte Carlo- courtesy of Facebook, Karen Kovel Adams’ photos
Aurelien Guichard- sites.radiofrance.fr
What The Nose Knows- basenotes.com
Piguet Calypso Pyramid- courtesy of Robert Piguet Parfums
Passion by the sea-sansdosage.blogspot.com
Odysseus fondling Calypso- flickr.com
Flowing veil by the sea- onewed.com
Calypso bottle- fragrantica.com
-Ida Meister, Senior Editor
Oooh, beautiful review. I've always been fascinated by the story of Calypso, and it does indeed make a lovely name (not to mention concept) for a perfume. Would love to be entered for the sample draw.
Wow, wonderful story! I am enchanted by geranium scents.
woo me! woo me! I agree with pinkpajamas.. geranium sounds promising =)
Ida, I have been eager to try this next Piguet reissue, and you make it sound as though it was really worth the wait! So far they have done a wonderful job. (The new Baghari compared very favorably to my vintage mini .) If only some of the other houses would do it this well when they decide to revive their classics!
I don't suppose young M. Guichard is available as a prize…? :-D
I am not a fan of the other Robert Piguet fragrances (I only like Baghari) but I would love to try Calypso. It seems to be more of my liking
Thank you very much.
Oh, I've been looking forward to this. Please enter me in the draw!
Thanks for another enticing review, Ida. Aurelian Guichard's reworking of Futur is really nice, and it sounds like his new Calypso might be, too. From the description, Calypso seems to share some important notes with Malle's new Portrait of a Lady (rose, patchouli, ambroxan) but wraps them in florals and aldehydes rather than spices. I'm really looking forward to smelling them both.
Oh, this Pisces woman would love to get her hands on a sample of Calypso. Enter me in the drawing please.
~Dawn
Nice work, Ida!
Man, I get more lemmings here at Ca Fleure Bon than anywhere else!
Now I definitely want to try this one.
Wow, it sounds like you can't do wrong with this one..
Lovely review, thank you. Your use of the term 'gossamer' – perfect. Though I admire well-composed florals, typically do not wear them; however the base description has me intrigued to try this one. Please include me with the drawing.
Oh……I would love to smell Calypso. Mostly I would love to kiss his neck and run my hands through his hair but that's a different story:) What a gorgeous man….I love to be entered into the drawing
Absolutely beautiful review! Geranium…ooooh! I love geranium in almost all iterations and combinations!
Please enter me in the drawing!
xo A
I would very much like to try this. Please submit my name.
I am intrigued by this perfume. Please enter me into the draw.
Lovely way to describe this scent. And of course, I would love to enter in the draw!
Would love to try this! Thanks for the draw! Of the reformulated Piguets, I've only tried Fracas and Baghari. Need to get my hands on Bandit, Visa, and Futur as well…
Lovely review! I'd love to try Calypso. I adore Baghari and Calypso sounds likea gorgeous way to bring some sunshine to the winter! Thanks!
Excellent review! I have not tried anything by Robert Piguet. Sounds interesting to try. Please enter me in the drawing.