J’Adore Figaro
Two years ago it was revealed that Nissan had been seeking a partnership with Her Majesty the Queen https://www.figaroownersclub.com/the-royal-figaro/ but it now transpires that this wasn’t the only partnership that Nissan was considering.
Court papers relating to a dispute between Dior and another perfumer, have revealed that fragrance “Dior Figaro” was due to be launched in partnership with Nissan 36 years ago in April 1991.
Created by famous perfumers Jean-Louis Sieuzac and Maurice Roger, the French fragrance was to have a specially evocative fishy element in keeping with French tradition for that time of year. The scent was to evoke “a feeling of serenity” to aid wearers in escaping “from the complexities of today’s competitive society”.
However, while plans were very mature, “Dior Figaro” ended up more like a fishing expedition, as controversy about the perfume ensued when another perfumer caused a bit of a stink and claimed that she was the owner of the intellectual property of the fragrance, a matter that came to trial at the French Cour de cassation, and which was only finally resolved in June 2005. As a consequence “Dior Figaro” never saw production.
Jean-Louis Sieuzac, the lead “nose” in creating “Figaro” with Maurice Roger, Dior’s former master perfumer and chairman, acknowledged that Ms Avril Premier was part of his team and had a role in creating it. But he interprets his own role much differently. “Creating a perfume is the result of the synergy of a team, the result of an intimate, intense collaboration based on the desire of the client and the work of the perfumer to carry it out. I don’t care whether a ‘nose’ is or isn’t an artist. What I care about is having someone come to me tomorrow to say: ‘Jean-Louis, come. Come and make a great perfume with me.’ ”
Only the French can truly answer what fish had to do with the fragrance associated with the Figaro.
Dior and Nissan refused to comment other than to refer those enquiring to further information that may be released in due course using #poissonavril
Thanks to Adam Woods for bringing this latest development to our attention.
