Most exemplary fragrance houses feature a distinctive undertone that is present in many of their scents. At Trudon, that olfactory thread is a smoky-resinous note. It makes sense—since 1643, the storied Parisian house has supplied wax to cathedrals and royal courts, cementing its reputation as a pinnacle of luxury in scented candles. “Since its beginnings, Trudon has told stories through fragrance—from Spiritus Sancti, a candle steeped in the sacred smoke of church incense, to Révolution, a perfume that recalls the fervor and fire of a Napoleonic battlefield,” says Mathilde Corbin, the brand’s global marketing director. In 2017, Trudon carried that centuries-deep expertise into personal fragrance with colognes that were niche in craft, rooted in history, and very elegant to wear.
That lineage continues with the release of the Nuit Rouge collection, a trio of smoldering extraits that channel Trudon’s DNA into rich and intoxicating compositions formulated to linger close to the skin. “With Nuit Rouge, each of its three creations, distinct in character, offers a deeply personal encounter—a dialogue between scent and soul, audacity and desire, opulence and refinement,” says Corbin. Crafted from precious raw materials and presented in striking red vessels, the fragrances usher the house into a bolder, more sensual territory.
Each unisex fragrance reimagines a classic note with complexity and a twist—vanilla and amber in 45°, iris with woods in Midnight Omen, and leather with oud in Mystique—brought to life by renowned perfumers Émilie Bouge and Yann Vasnier. The name itself carries intrigue: “Nuit (Night) is when boundaries blur, reality softens, and desires awaken. Rouge (Red) evokes passion, love, and sensuality, but also danger and the thrill of the unknown,” Corbin explains. Befittingly, Nuit Rouge is a collection of sophistication and allure—colognes for black-tie evenings, date nights, and holiday soirées alike.
It’s also Trudon’s first foray into an extrait collection: these three fragrances are crafted at a potent 20 percent perfume oil concentration. Just one or two sprays are enough to leave a lasting impression with longevity and sillage that envelops without overpowering. “This concentration amplifies their depth and intensity, unfurling in powerful yet elegant trails,” Corbin adds. The Nuit Rouge collection will likely resonate with Trudon devotees, olfactory aficionados, and anyone in search of a new cold-weather signature, all while staying true to the artisanal luxury that defines the house. Let’s break down the compositions.
Midnight Omen shows how floral notes can turn moodier and more seductive when combined with amber. As Corbin puts it, “iris, entwined with woods, reveals a warmth laced with mystery.” It opens with a brief, fresh hit of mandarin softened by florals, before deepening into a heart of saffron, violet, leather, and sandalwood. The base of patchouli and musk adds depth for a magnetic, woodsy floral that will cling to your skin like a sumptuous suede jacket. Best reserved for nights when you want to leave an impression past, well, midnight.
45° is for the gourmand lovers, but don’t expect a cloying vanilla sugar bomb—this is a headier, evolving take. “In 45°, vanilla becomes irresistibly sensual and addictive, without tipping into excess sweetness,” notes Corbin. The opening layers vanilla and honey into a faintly sweet and almost liquor-like aroma. A hint of bergamot cuts through while benzoin and amber anchors it with a spiritual, smoky backbone (the Trudon signature). This fragrance is slightly animalic and sophisticated—a gourmand with gravitas.
Among fans of leather and woods, Mystique is bound to find loyalists. Of the three, it smells the richest with the most depth. The immediate leather accord opens “in an embrace that is opulent yet never overpowering,” says Corbin. Woods weave through saffron, patchouli, cedar, sandalwood, and an incense-like haze, while a touch of papyrus adds an earthy edge. The result is sweetness and spice, and everything woodsy and nice—a versatile scent that wears as easily to the office as it does on a night out.
Authors
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Michael Stefanov