Guerlain Vétiver Fauve – An Olfactory Portrait of Untamed Dawn

The Creative Gesture

Vetiver often evokes notes of dryness and refined clarity. In this composition, perfumer Delphine Jelk leans into its wild origin – roots embedded in humid soil, blades soaked in dew, and sap rising in early light. She introduces a sharp green accord and layers a tropical fruit note at the center, shaping the fragrance as a dynamic environment. The result unfolds in natural rhythm: crisp air at dawn, lush sweetness at mid-morning, and grounded stillness by evening.

The Olfactory Progression

Awakening – Dew and Canopy

The first impression suggests cool mist over dense foliage. A bright green accord touches the senses with a damp freshness, reminiscent of crushed stems and shaded fern. Vetiver enters early – clean, vivid, and rooted – balancing the composition with its textured clarity.

Ascent – Fig and Sunlit Fruit

As the scent evolves, a round note of fig emerges – subtle, fresh, and delicately sweet. It is joined by a soft sparkle of pineapple, bringing a touch of botanical brightness. In this mid-phase, vetiver remains present, now illuminated by pulpy warmth and sunlit fruit.

Resting – Earth and Quiet Fire

In the final moments, the base introduces tonka bean and cypriol. Tonka adds a warm, textured sweetness that melds into vetiver’s earthy character. Cypriol contributes a smoky, resinous nuance, recalling the stillness of forest bark and root. The drydown remains calm and tactile – an imprint of time spent within untamed greenery.

Art in Form – The Bottle

Vétiver Fauve inhabits the L’Art & La Matière square bottle, a design rooted in Guerlain’s heritage since 1870. Crafted by Pochet du Courval, the flacon reflects unisex clarity and modern craftsmanship. Its heavy glass form, defined by clean lines and a refillable structure, balances sustainability with visual refinement. The label carries the fragrance name in bronzed lettering – restrained, confident, and part of the collection’s sculptural aesthetic.

L’Art & La Matière – Crafting Memory into Scent

Each creation in L’Art & La Matière is sparked by an artistic impulse – a place, a moment, or a piece of literature that leaves a lasting mark on the perfumer’s imagination. For Vétiver Fauve, Delphine Jelk channels Kipling’s jungle not as fantasy, but as a living environment: shaded foliage, rising warmth, hidden fruit, and the grounded scent of roots. This perfume becomes a sensory memory – held in oil, captured in alcohol, and awakened with a single spray.

Sourcing and Ethics

Guerlain works directly with vetiver growers, ensuring traceability and quality of the roots. Tonka beans are harvested at full maturity and sun-cured to preserve their aromatic depth. Refillable packaging supports the brand’s ongoing environmental commitment, with in-boutique refills designed to reduce material waste and support mindful luxury.

Placement Within the House

Vétiver has shaped Guerlain’s identity for decades – from the original masculine scent introduced in 1959 to contemporary artistic interpretations. Vétiver Fauve adds to this evolving story with its own distinct character. It offers a textured narrative drawn from the same botanical foundation, inviting a renewed experience through vibrant naturalism and poetic design.