Launched in 2007, LUXE Champaca EDP is part of Comme des Garçons Luxe series. Champaca is an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. Its flowers, which vary from shades of cream to yellow-orange, play an important role in Hindu worship. Their fragrance is believed to induce devotion and encourage prayer. Considered a sacred scent by Krishna, champaca trees are grown on temple grounds. It opens with a gentle warmth from white pepper, a soft herbaceous note from angelica and a delicate spiciness from cardamom. The top notes beautifully foreshadow what’s to come – champaca. Related to magnolia, creamy champaca has a floral-fruity aspect that is gently amplified by indolic tuberose. Deftly matched, these soul mates never get all white flower screechy/scratchy; instead, they are sultry white flower divine! Champaca is also related to star anise, and that spiciness is highlighted here with the addition of a tender note of bird pepper. The champaca doesn’t dominate here so much as it glows, with tuberose and pepper enhancing it as it does. A white musk and creamy orris base is smooth and skin-like, giving the composition depth and sensuality without flattening it.The ‘LUXE’ refers not only to the high quality of the ingredients used but also to the depth of the fragrance. It’s a fairly linear fragrance that’s intense, rich and heady yet sheer and ethereal at the same time. Notes: White pepper, angelica, cardamom, champaca, tuberose, pepper, white musk and orris.
