Bleu de Chine
Marc de la Morandiere (1987)

Bleu de Chine is a centerpiece of cool white lightbulb tuberose, adorned with the palest blue oakmoss and tea leaves. It's a unisex kitchen sink chypre that requires an adventurer in the 21st century, someone who can appreciate Memphis Design, lots of saturated, clashing colors and perpendicular lines. It's the "Carlton" room divider, it's a statement piece, for men who aren't afraid to wear polka dot or lime green and women who appreciate oversized statement jewelry.

The milky and camphorated tuberose and witchy oakmoss are like an erotic scratch along the back, it won't cut skin but it will leave a lasting mark, and this scratchiness is woody, oaky, resinous and decidedly masculine as it dries into its base. It's no Diva, it isn't vying to be the biggest bitch in the room; but it's one with much presence and persistence, a slow burner, and one that surprises you just when you thought its sunset has passed, when another whiff of its "white florals in the woods" whispers hours later.