At the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, where art, fragrance, and high fashion converge, Dior Beauty hosted a star-studded evening to celebrate the launch of J’adore L’Or, a reimagined masterpiece by Francis Kurkdjian, Dior’s Perfume Creation Director. This exceptional fragrance release was accompanied by a collaboration with the renowned contemporary artist Jean-Michel Othoniel.
Their artistic synergy brought to life an exquisite limited-edition masterpiece known as the Gold Rose, a receptacle for the perfume bottle and a mini version of Othoniel’s monumental sculptures presented in the garden. Collectively titled “The Flowers of Hypnosis” they stress the profound connection between art, nature, and the essence of Dior. “The Flowers of Hypnosis,” Othoniel’s collection of six monumental works, now grace the Lily Pool Terrace, Fragrance Garden, and Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
J’adore, one of Dior’s iconic fragrances, has been reimagined as J’adore L’Or, an olfactory masterpiece that radiates luxury and sensuality. It retains the beloved floral notes of its predecessor while infusing warmth with heady accents of orange blossom, jasmine, and centifolia rose absolutes. The iconic amphora-shaped bottle, synonymous with J’adore, now features golden rings that seem to melt like dripping metal, echoing the richness within. J’adore L’Or is an invitation to experience the opulence of Dior through scent, an olfactory embodiment of elegance and sophistication.
The obsession with roses at the House of Dior can be traced back to the founder himself, Christian Dior. Born in Granville, a picturesque seaside town in Normandy, France, Dior grew up surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of nature. Dior often spoke of his childhood home in Granville and how the roses left an indelible mark on his soul. He once said, “After women, flowers are the most divine creations.” He was captivated by the elegance and timeless allure of roses, and this infatuation found its way into his designs and fragrances.
Othoniel, a friend of the house, is renowned for his mesmerizing sculptures that often draw inspiration from nature and the profound beauty of flowers. Gardens, with their diverse forms and secret meanings, have been a constant in his life, influencing his artistry. It led him to create monumental sculptures inspired by the lotus, an iconic flower in Japanese culture. His sculptures, crafted from a combination of gold leaf and stainless steel, transform the gardens into an otherworldly realm. “[The sculpture] reflects all of the landscape—you can see in the gold leaves a subtle reflection of what is around.”, enveloping visitors in radiant golden hues, says the artist.
The highlight of the collaboration between Othoniel and Dior is undoubtedly the Gold Rose. This limited-edition masterpiece encapsulates the essence of Othoniel’s monumental sculptures and the opulence of J’adore L’Or. Each is a miniature work of art, cast in bronze and meticulously hand-polished, before being bathed in molten 24-carat gold. Nestled within the bronze and gold flower is a crystal amphora, a delicate figure-eight that perfectly balances Dior’s new fragrance. Othoniel states, “The bottom of the bottle is totally round, so you can’t take it out and use it as a normal bottle. You need to go back to the sculpture. So this sort of dialogue between the bottle and the sculpture, they are codependent. In fact, they need to correspond, they need to talk to each other.”
The collaboration extended beyond aesthetics, with Othoniel and Kurkdjian working closely to ensure that the fragrance and sculpture were in perfect harmony. “It was this idea of creating another layer of Frances’s vision,” says Othoniel. “So as he was elaborating the fragrance, I was working at the same time.” Gold Rose is more than a luxurious fragrance; it’s a work of art, a dialogue between sculpture and scent, and an homage to the enduring allure of roses. Othoniel intentionally designed it to be a tactile and visual experience, a talisman that begs to be held.
Dior’s celebration of art, fragrance, and high fashion at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden was a convergence of creativity, inviting guests to experience the magic of Othoniel’s sculptures and the opulence of J’adore L’Or. As the fragrance and limited-edition masterpiece find their way into the hands of discerning aficionados, this collaboration between Dior and Jean-Michel Othoniel will continue to inspire an appreciation for the exquisite fusion of artistry, nature, and fragrance.
In the words of Christian Dior, “Respect tradition and dare to be bold.” This collaboration between Dior and Othoniel exemplifies this spirit, daring to push the boundaries of art and luxury. The roses of Granville, forever cherished by Dior, have found new life in the fragrant opulence of J’adore L’Or and the exquisite artistry of Jean-Michel Othoniel, ensuring that the legacy of beauty and elegance endures.
References:
- Dior. (2023). J’Adore L’Or. [Online]. Available at https://www.dior.com/en_us/fragrance-beauty/fragrance/womens-fragrance/jadore/jadore-lo-dior-fragrance.html
- Dior. (2023). J’Adore As Seen By Jean-Michel Othoniel: A Night of Art, Fragrance & Glamour At The Brooklyn Botanic Garden. [Online]. Available at https://www.dior.com/en_us/magazine-arts-culture-jadore-as-seen-by-jean-michel-othoniel
- Othoniel, J. M. (2023). Interview with Jean-Michel Othoniel. https://www.flaunt.com/post/dior-francis-kurkdjian-jean-michel-othoniel-lor-de-jadore
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