This year sees Diptyque marking its 60th anniversary. The Paris-based niche brand which started out as a bazaar at 34 Boulevard Saint-Germain has a lot to celebrate. Since its founding in 1961 by theatre director and set designer Yves Coueslant, painter Desmond Knox-Leet and interior designer Christiane Gautrot, many of its perfumes and candles have become classics. As part of the festivities, Diptyque Orphéon was released earlier this year.
CREATIVE TRIO: Diptyque co-founders Yves Coueslant, Christiane Gautrot and Desmond Knox-Leet. Image: Diptyque.
Diptyque Eau Rihla EDP has also just been released, but is exclusive to the Middle East market.
Paying homage to the company’s heritage, Diptyque Orphéon takes its name from a bustling bar in Saint-Germain, Paris, where Diptyque’s founders would rendezvous in the 1960s.
This EDP opens with a big splash of aromatic juniper berries. It’s gin-ish in character, but not overly so. The jasmine that comes through soon after that helps to create a heady ambience together with the notes of cedar and tonka bean in the drydown. What stands out most in the composition is a musky and rosy powderiness.
With its bar / nightlife inspiration, I was expecting Diptyque Orphéon to be a smoky and boozier affair. Especially, as I haven’t seen the inside of a drinking spot for quite some time, thanks to Covid. But perhaps I’m being too literal and vicarious in this expectation.
It’s a straightforward composition and while it’s not an immediate Diptyque favourite, it’s growing on me the more I wear it.
On a side note, it’s interesting to see Diptyque becoming more of a lifestyle brand as part of the celebrations. New ranges include pyjamas with prints inspired by some of their best-selling fragrances (Philosykos, Ombre, Do Son, L’Eau, Eau Rose) and decor items such as tumblers, plates and placemats (see below). All of which make sense, considering Diptyque’s artistic and bazaar heritage.
Diptyque Orphéon is available at Skins Cosmetics.
Image: Diptyque.
Great review and shots, Rich. I am enjoying this one more and more too. It isn’t overly boozy or smoky which surprised me. It reminded me a lot of the powdery, musky, Fleur de Peau. I saw they are branching out into more products too. Very interesting.
Big thank you, Daniel. Yes, it does share some similarities with Fleur de Peau. It’s almost like Diptyque is coming full circle to its origins as a chic bazaar.
Hey Richard, I was expecting more from this brand. Wore the samples provided by skins cosmetics and went to smell it in store on skin prior to getting the samples but alas, not very convincing! perhaps I should try the samples in the warmer months? like in early spring?
Hello Nana, that’s a pity. Which perfumes were part of the samples? While it’s growing on me, Orpheon is not the best example of Diptyque.
I had absolutely no expectations – and unexpectedly I liked Orpheon a lot. I got a travel spray of it as a GWP, and I’ll gladly wear it.
Love your pictures!
It always helps to have no expectations, dear Undina. Glad you’re enjoying it. Many thanks for the compliment!