Elle
“Elle by Yves Saint Laurent is a Floral Woody Musk fragrance for women”
The Quick Read
Well loved by wearers — a woody, floral composition with a patchouli undertone. Voted best for fall and winter wear, leaning feminine.
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Launched in 2007 by Yves Saint Laurent, Elle is a Floral Woody Musk fragrance that was created by the master perfumers Jacques Cavallier Belletrud and Olivier Cresp. This composition opens with bright litchi and Amalfi lemon before diving into a heart of peony, rose, jasmine, and freesia. The base notes of patchouli, vetiver, cedar, and ambrette create a warm and earthy foundation that grounds the floral elements.
Elle quickly developed a devoted cult following after its discontinuation, with enthusiasts expressing regret over its removal from YSL's lineup and considering it superior to more recent mainstream releases. The fragrance was eventually relaunched due to fan demand, meeting with renewed enthusiasm from longtime wearers.
Composition & Character
Notes Pyramid
Top
Opening
Heart
The Soul
Base
Foundation
Main Accords
When to Wear
Who Wears It
How It Wears
Application Tips
One or two sprays to the pulse points will suffice — Elle's patchouli and vetiver base notes allow it to develop gradually over time. The litchi and lemon top notes are bright but fleeting, so aim for a closer-to-skin application for the best experience.
Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud
Founding perfumer · 19 fragrances
Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud was born January 24, 1962, in Grasse, France, into a family of perfumers spanning his father and grandfather. He began work at a perfume factory in Grasse straight out of high school, moving through Charabot, Quest International, and PFW before joining Firmenich in 1990, where he created fragrances for Christian Dior, Givenchy, Issey Miyake, and Lancôme. In 2012 he became master perfumer for Louis Vuitton, developing the house's first fragrance collection, and in 2018 opened Louis Vuitton's Les Fontaines Parfumées creative center in Grasse. He won the Prix François Coty in 2004.
Also created
Designer Yves Saint Laurent
More from Yves Saint Laurent
Edited by Scentsation Editorial
The story behind the bottle.
The subtle interplay of light and shadow in a sunlit conservatory, where the scent of flowers mingles with warm earth and wood.
Fig. 01 — Elle, Yves Saint Laurent
Where to buy.
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