Yves Saint Laurent is a name that needs no introduction. According to the Vogue magazine, he completely changed the image of a woman in the 1960s. A bold combination of male and female images played into the weaker sex: the women's wardrobe was replenished with a tuxedo and trouser suits and enriched with military uniforms. When models in safari jackets and transparent dresses first appeared on the catwalk, the woman was able to take a fresh look at her sexuality. Literally everything that a brilliant fashion designer touched became notorious. Eau de toilette Opium was no exception. You will read the history of this fragrance in our article.
Successful dismissal
The world could never recognize Laurent as an independent fashion designer, if not for one not very beautiful story. In 1955, Christian Dior invited him to his place as his assistant. Two years after his death, Yves became the art director of the famous fashion house. But his extravagant experiments frightened the owners of the Dior brand, and they, taking advantage of the fact that in 1960 Yves Saint Laurent was taken into the army, hastened to remove him from the post of director. The designer gave the debt to his homeland not for long - only 20 days. Upon learning of the illegal dismissal, Laurent filed a lawsuit against the company and received compensation. This money, as well as the money that the billionaire Mark Robinson promised him, was enough for him to open his own business. And already in 1961 he showed his first collection.
Workshop of the world
Almost every thing released under the label Yves Saint Laurent, became the new canon of fashion. Men's double-breasted jackets, vinyl raincoats, women's two-piece suits, vest dresses and much more instantly became the most desired things in the wardrobe of a self-respecting fashionista. The famous logo, consisting of gold letters L and Y intertwined with the letter S, as if hinting at the sign of a dollar bill, raised the status of the owner to sky-high heights. This sign began to literally spread around the world: it could be found on glasses, jewelry, bags and even beach towels. And of course, Yves Saint Laurent launched his line of perfumes.
Eau de Toilette (Yves Saint Laurent)
Despite the many indignant responses to his work, the fashion designer did not stop at anything to once again shock the audience. The release of a new fragrance was no exception. Eau de toilette "Opium" appeared in 1977 and for many decades remains one of the most discussed and controversial perfumes. Its launch provoked a series of scandals. What was only one slogan that addressed it to those who are dependent on YSL. No wonder Opium got its name: even its bottle resembled a lacquered box in which medicines are stored in Japan, or rather opium. Yves Saint Laurent was accused of drug propaganda, and in America activists even called for a boycott of spirits. But none of this confused the creator of the provocative perfume. Moreover, he even organized an “opium” party on the Beijing ship. The interior was decorated with traditional aroma colors: red, gold and purple.
YSL Opium: for those who are not shy about their sensuality
The fragrance turned out to be so popular that its new versions come out almost every year. And even in our time, far from puritanical, his advertising campaigns manage to provoke heated discussion in society. In 2000, a poster with naked Sophie Dahl, as if curving at the peak of pleasure, was recognized as the most frank and challenging in the last 50 years. The following year, a movie with French actress Melanie Thierry was banned in the UK. In her frantic dance, watchful Englishmen saw movements imitating drug use.
Description of Aromatic Composition
Eau de toilette "Opium" - a rich oriental aroma. Oriental motifs are already evident in the bottle - red and gold are the traditional colors of the sensual East. The perfume is based on notes of cloves, roses and sandalwood. It is interesting that in the East itself (in particular, in China), Opium toilet water is prohibited. This is because some experts found in its composition a musky kiton, which was considered dangerous to health. No matter how ridiculous it may sound, there have been cases when entire batches of bottles of these perfumes were not allowed at customs because of the name. However, all this only fueled an already ardent interest in the fragrance.
Opium Today: A New Understanding of the Legendary Fragrance
For decades, the aromatic composition of this perfume practically did not change. Eau de Toilette for women received its first major reprint in 2009: it has become more modern and easier. In the new version, the barely noticeable acidity of bergamot and citruses softly combines with notes of jasmine and rose, and the final loop of ambergris, vanilla and patchouli gives the aroma an elegant finish. After experimenting with the bottle in 2009, its original version also returned slightly modified. It became translucent, and the famous window was located in the center of the vessel.
The release of the youth version of Opium toilet water by the company was completely new and unexpected. The violet glass of the bottle and the gilded details were just as different from the original version as its contents. The peach in the Bel d'Opium aroma loop adds tenderness to it, which is so suitable for young creatures, and white pepper, Casablanca lily and frankincense add a touch of piquancy. A little later, the brand released a version of "Opium" for men.
Conflicting opinions
Perhaps in the past, the tastes and smell of women were different, like the sky above your head and the grass under your feet. Today, even the legendary "Chanel No. 5" receive a negative response from some users. Some call them household soap. So is the Opium eau de toilette: reviews in which the epithets “terrible”, “heavy” and even “nauseous” appear next to the name of this perfume are not so rare. Many note its allergenicity, specificity, in some it is associated with a padlock. Even those who take it positively note its clearly evening destiny. On the other hand, eau de toilette and Opium perfume water have different concentrations of aromatic substances. And those who find the second option unnecessarily difficult can be advised to use the first.
Eau de toilette Opium - for women who know their worth well. Confident, mature and courageous, capable of taming a tiger with their beauty and strength. For women who have found themselves and are not afraid to confess their most secret desires. Moreover, without hesitation, they are loudly declared. The best outfit for them is their own body, shrouded in an exciting, sensual aroma. The name of this fragrance is "Opium" from Yves Saint Laurent.