The latest addition to Dior’s Collection Privée range, Eden-Roc draws inspiration from the French Riviera’s legendary luxury Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. Aiming to capture the spirit of that Mediterranean paradise, this fragrance is more of an homage than a literal translation — a celebration of sun, elegant lifestyle, and full-on glamour. Oh, and it smells absolutely amazing, I might add.
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Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes, France
François Demachy, the nose behind its creation
“I composed Eden-Roc by imagining myself arriving at the hotel by the sea. The salt, sun, pale rocks, and luxuriant vegetation all influenced me. This fragrance is a scented reflection of Cap d’Antibes’ exceptional location. The accords tell a Mediterranean story of marine air, flowers and citrus fruits, aromatic scents and pine trees. Eden-Roc is a legend of luxury and oxygen, of extreme sophistication, and exquisite simplicity. A perfume comes to life when it is worn; a place when it is lived in. So let us wish a very long life to the Eden-Roc” (François Demachy, Dior Perfumer-Creator)
Dior La Collection Privée Eden-Roc Eau de Parfum (CAN $330.00/125 ml, 4.2 fl oz) | The legendary Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc recently celebrated its 150th birthday, and Dior’s master perfumer François Demachy paid homage to this milestone via the creation of Eden-Roc Eau de Parfum, the newest addition to the brand’s luxury fragrance range. When I think of this famous hotel, the image that comes to mind is that of an almost mythical paradise along the cliffs of the Mediterranean, its entrance hidden among fragrant pines, and frequented by celebrities and royalty … all of which happens to be actually true, but also accessible by anyone who can afford to stay there (tip: start saving up, lol). In planning the making of this fragrance, François Demachy imagined it as “three colours in a scent; blue for the sea the lines this Cap, yellow for the Mediterranean sun that shines over this rock, and green for the luxuriant nature that surrounds and protects it“. In fact, to my nose this is a sublime union of ‘salty sun-drenched skin whose Bain de Soleil Gelée has just about rubbed off, then taking a stroll under verdant pines to cool off from the intense heat’. Seriously — that’s EXACTLY what I picture when I smell/wear this.
Housed in a glass bottle with a minimalistic silhouette, the cap has a magnetic feature to help it snap securely closed, while the simple label is a nod the to the haute couture history of Dior. I tend to move between 2 types of scents: anything smoky/insence-like or beachy, which I alternate wearing all year round. Eden-Roc definitely falls in the latter category and there has been some talk that it’s similar to Margiela’s Beach Walk, a fragrance which I also own and was able to compare against. The short answer: while I get the reference, the two are in fact quite different with respect to how they morph on the skin, as well as how they finish. Eden-Roc opens up with a slightly metallic note, although I also pick up the Jasmine thread right off the bat. Within minutes the citrus starts to peek through, its tartness softened as if the fruit has been sitting in a bowl under the hot sun. It’s at this point that the creamy coconut makes itself known, not in a sugary kind of way, but more natural and skin-warmed as it gently twines around the greener tone of the pine at its base, forming a forest-y cocoon at the finish — but one that still retains whispers of the earlier notes. With regards to longevity, that will ultimately depend on your body’s chemistry, but I find that it lasts easily a solid 8 hours, and I even detect hints of it after that point as well.
- Top: Sea Salt, Citruses, Mineral Notes
- Heart: Jasmine, Coconut, Mastic
- Base: Pine Tree, Labdanum
Reviewing fragrance is exceptionally subjective, as what works for me, may not work for you — and vice versa. As I said above, I absolutely adore any scent that reminds me of the beach, but lately I’ve been more courageous about venturing down other pathways. That’s why Eden-Roc fits the bill so perfectly, as it embodies the oceanic vibe I love, but done in a somewhat unorthodox way, as though all of nature’s elements combine to form this one elegant eau de parfum that still manages to be fresh, utterly wearable, and still downright sexy. So if you’re into people complimenting the way you smell, then you’ll definitely want to add this beauty to your list.
Available at Holt Renfrew/Ogilvy’s and select retailers
Kindly provided by Dior for my unbiased consideration
