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Maison Francis Kurkdjian

launches

The Cologne forte Collection

By Deborah Ferguson

Aqua Celestia Cologne Forte by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

Francis Kurkdjian, an iconic award-winning French Perfumer, launched a stunning, fresh new collection earlier this month entitled Cologne Forte Collection. I’m completely enthralled by his vision when he creates a fragrance. This particular collection was developed with the philosophy of brightness, sensation and emotion. I tried 2 of the fragrances that are new interpreted versions of their aqua collection.
Aqua Celestia Cologne Forte; when I applied a light spray it trigged my senses into an energetic zone, as it settled into my skin I enjoyed the jasmine peeking through (middle note) and a hint of sultry musk (base note). All of which left me thinking this isn’t too feminine nor too masculine. I try products before I read the PR notes; as I prefer to share an authentic review for which I have the honor to try such notable luxury products. I find the Aqua Celestia perfect for a summer night as the sillage of the base note is intoxicatingly sultry.

The 2.4fl oz launched May 1.
BUY HERE 

The 1.2 fl oz will be available July 21, 2021.
BUY HERE 

Top notes: Black Currant and Bergamot; middle notes: Jasmine and Mimosa; base note: Musk.

‘Francis Kurkdjian believes that the main idea behind the Cologne forte fragrance is to convey freshness through the sensations induced by light.
Aqua Celestia Cologne forte is the encounter between the blue hues of the sea and the sky, a horizon beckoning you to evasion.’

Aqua Vitae Cologne Forte

Aque Vitae is my favorite of the Cologne Forte collection; the initial application evokes a memory of a long summer day by a beach in the Mediterranean. The fragrance embodies the sublime balance of citrus , sultry floral , and a clean , bright feeling that isn’t too overwhelming or heady. I will note this as a favorite summer fragrance, as it’s literally summer in a bottle. The powdery solar scent is lighter than the other two fragrances in this collection , and the most feminine.
I want to add aside from this review the stunning colored glass bottles are treasures in themselves.

Top notes of Siclian Mandarin, Italian bergamot
Middle notes: Floral and solar notes
Base Notes: Sandalwood and Musk

2.4fl oz launched May 1, 2021.
BUY HERE

1.2 fl oz Available July 1st, 2021.
BUY HERE

In conversation with Francis Kurkdijan

Are these fragrances masculine, feminine or gender-neutral?

This collection is a tribute to the original Eau de Cologne, which was historically destined for both men and women. Thus, all the Aqua Collection fragrances are gender-neutral.

Why did you create the “Cologne Forte” collection?

To understand the genesis of this Cologne Forte collection, you need to go back to the creation of Aqua Universalis, launched when Maison Francis Kurkdjian was created in 2009.
The inspiration for this fragrance, later followed by Aqua Vitae and Aqua Celestia, could be summarized with this Latin quote “mens sana in corpore sano”, meaning “a healthy body in a healthy mind”. I thus wished to reconnect with the tradi- tion of the Eau de Cologne which, in its original form, was also drinkable, creating a visible “inside-outside” effect. What is good for my body is also good for my mind.
In 2011 we came up with the forte name, a reference to music, to express the idea of a powerful intensity in these fresh fragrances.
Finally, in 2021, I wanted to bring a new light to this Aqua collection and a new caliber to the forte range, keeping in mind that the idea of freshness could also be explored starting from the sensations induced by light. This is how Cologne forte became a reality: a modern, long-lasting Cologne, showcasing the idea of light, color and sensations which was already in the genesis of the original eau de toilette fragrances.

What is the concentration of these Cologne Forte fragrances?

It’s the duality between the freshness and the evanescence of the Cologne, and the duration of the trail, a distinctive feature of my creations, which results in the fragrances of this Cologne forte collection being classified as eau de parfum.

Colored bottles are very rare at the Maison. What inspired you when choosing these colors?

I wanted to give each bottle a color according to the light I had in mind for each perfume with a subtle bottom-to-top gradation. Only the Aqua Universalis remains unchanged. It symbolizes pure white, transparency and clearness of freshness. Aqua Vitae is nuanced in a sunny yellow shade and Aqua Celestia a translucent blue gradation. The cases are soberly underlined with a stroke of color which symbolizes the architecture of each note, a shade mirrored in the upper interior part of the case. Last, the cap is transparent to convey a feeling of lightness and let light seep through.

What makes these fragrances different from the other Aqua perfumes?

The heart of the history and inspiration of these eau de parfum fragrances is still identical to that of the eau de toilette fragrances. It is not only a matter of inten- sity but also a reharmonization of the formula, with Aqua Universalis, a step back of over 10 years. Imagine a musical composition played on the piano, then ima- gine the same composition played by a symphony orchestra. The melody stays the same but you feel the composition more intensely, it becomes more emotional because it fills up more space. The same principle applies to these fragrances whose concentration has been increased so as to find the right balance between freshness and a long-lasting trail. I think the result is more refined and asserts the olfactory signature of each inspiration.

Finally, in 2021, I wanted to bring a new light to this Aqua collection and a new caliber to the forte range, keeping in mind that the idea of freshness could also be explored starting from the sensations induced by light. This is how Cologne forte became a reality: a modern, long-lasting Cologne, showcasing the idea of light, color and sensations which was already in the genesis of the original eau de toilette fragrances. -Francis Kurkdjian

Could you assign an adjective to each of these Aqua Cologne forte fragrances?

Aqua Universalis Cologne forte: The radiance of white light
Aqua Vitae Cologne forte: The radiance of the sun
Aqua Celestia Cologne forte: The blue hues of the sky and the sea

Review and Creative Direction
Deborah Ferguson
Web layout
Victoria Smith
Photography
CM Studio

Thank you Maison Francis Kurkdjian