Part 2: Nope, still not your usual post.

The journey into Chanel's world started with a visit to the perfume lab. (As usual, please click on the photos for the larger versions.) A fitting beginning when one considers how fragrances have played an important role in the fashion house's history.

Upon our arrival, we were introduced to a demonstration of the "baudruche" process. Essentially, the process consists of wrapping a thin rubber membrane over the perfume bottle's neck and tying it down with a cotton string. The sealing of the bottle's neck is crucial in ensuring the quality and integrity of the perfume and is always done by hand. Finally, the finishing touch is a wax seal to be imprinted (also by hand) on top of the bottle neck. I must admit that I was very surprised to learn that so much effort is put into something as simple as sealing a bottle and that the process is still done by hand in this age of technology. For the intrigued readers, I have uploaded a video of the baudruche process here and the imprinting process here.



I have no photos of the actual lab, but picture this: hundreds of tiny bottles lining the shelves, each containing an ingredient that would contribute to either a mesmerising bouquet or a stink bomb. The man who decides what goes into the mixture is Jacques Polge aka "The Nose". During his introduction to the various components of perfumes, I couldn't help but notice his outfit. A pink shirt with his initials discretely sewn in red at the middle and pants of a rather unique shade. (Dare I describe the shade as "French Mustard"?) Now, when I see jasmine, I will think fondly of a French gentleman in bright colours who talks passionately about scents. (Christopher Sheldrake on the left and Jacques Polge on the right. Picture taken from here.)

Christopher Sheldrake, the Director of Research & Development, was kind enough to allow us to sniff some of the stranger ingredients used in perfumes. An example is the oil extracted from Canadian beavers. Although no longer used in Chanel's perfumes today, its scent is pleasantly reminiscent of olives, smoke and BBQ sauce. (Yes, BBQ sauce.) In a way, the encounter was a humbling one. These men are only responsible for creating fragrances that will have a place in the modern world and the approval of Mademoiselle Chanel. Christopher Sheldrake commented how he feels that the Mademoiselle is very much alive at Chanel today and how one can almost expect to bump into her along the corridors...

... which isn't all that far from the truth. A visit to her apartment on 31 Rue Cambon--where she has never slept in--shows the painstaking care the staff take to preserve everything as it is. One gets a glimpse of the the character that is Mademoiselle Chanel through the decor of the apartment and her assorted knickknacks. Till this day, much inspiration is still drawn from the apartment. The wooden panels pictured left were the inspiration for the Coromandels De Chanel palette. You can now pop by the Coco Mademoiselle website and take a tour round the apartment at the comfort of your home. (Nifty, huh?)

If you are interested, I have uploaded some pictures of the apartment at Flickr. Random commentary to be expected, of course. Part 3 of the trip coming soon and this time, it will be a little like the usual posts.