We’ve opened some sweet smelling boxes in our time but Maison Louis Marie deliveries literally waft into store, displacing every lesser particle on the ground floor with some beautifully complex and delicate floral notes. And then there’s the packaging; so simple, so very elegant. It comes as no surprise then that the fancy French name is no marketing gimmick, and there’s a story here much further flung than the fragrance labs of downtown LA.
It starts in 1792 with Louis Marie Aubert du Petit Thouars, a pioneer in French botanical history. During the French revolution, he was exiled to Madagascar, La Reunion and Mauritius where he discovered a huge variety of plant specimens. After ten years he returned to France bearing a collection of over 2000 plants and was promptly elected a member of the prestigious Académie des Sciences.
Fast forward 200 years and Marie du Petit Thouars grew up in Belgium and France making candles and experimenting with scents in her mother’s greenhouse. She then embarked on a career in fashion, initially working for Isabella Blow and later becoming a fashion editor in London for The Sunday Times. Her next move was to LA to study fine art photography, eventually opening a studio, 1294 Sunset, where she went on to launch Maison Louis Marie in 2013.
No. 4 (also known as Bois de Balincourt): Balincourt is the family home outside Paris which is surrounded by an ancient mysterious forest where long walks on the magical trail called Lover’s Lane was a favourite activity of multiple generations of the Thouars family. Taking inspiration from the family estate, and particularly the smell of the forests after heavy rain, Marie, according to the New York Times, 'wanted to create a scent that would remind her of home, no matter how far she travelled.' It's a bit woody with some sweet warmth. With an amber wood base, mid notes of vetiver, nutmeg and cinnamon and top notes of sandalwood.
No. 9 (also known as Vallee de Farney): Vallee de Farney is a nature reserve in the native forests of Mauritius. The forest is home to more than 100 plant species and numerous animals where Louis Marie discovered many new plant specimens. This has a woody, mineral fragrance. Imagine citrus fruit and a log fire. In a good way. With amber, musk, vetiver and benzoin (a balsamic resin, since you ask) base notes, mid notes of patchouli, geranium and top notes of grapefruit, orange and black pepper.
No. 13 (also known as Nouvelle Vague): This refreshing, rich scent takes you to the Italian island of Capri where Marie frequently traveled with her sister while visiting the Amalfi coast. Nouvelle Vague transports you to spring on the Italian coast, where you’re walking on a tiny oceanside street lined with blooming wildflowers and native lemons. Its signature aroma captures an uplifting citrus accord, a sheer floral bouquet, and coconut wrapped with Tuscan fig and agave throughout. Tonka and undertones of golden woods ground this blend in comfort and warmth.
We have been selling the perfume oil, candles and lotions for some time, thanks to a tip off from our lovely friend, the eminently talented calligrapher and nose, Imogen Owen. Next came a very happy foray into the world of EDP (Eau de Parfum) and we've not looked back since. These fragrances last longer on the skin than the perfume oil. Maison Louis Marie estimate 12 hours of deliciousness. Paraben, Sulfate and Phthalate free. And look out for the Perfume Oil Discovery Set; the perfect introductory present to Maison Louis Marie, including Nos 2, 4, 5, 9 and Cassis in cute little 3ml bottles.
