Chanel is introducing a new fragrance to Les Exclusifs de Chanel collection. Misia, in honor of Coco Chanel’s friend and muse Misia Sert. Her salon in Paris attracted such luminaries as Marcel Proust, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Odilon Redon, Paul Signac, Claude Debussy, Stéphane Mallarmé, and André Gide, and Misia was painted by Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Édouard Vuillard and Pierre Bonnard. Her friendship with Chanel developed as she helped Coco grieve the death of her lover Arthur Capel in 1918, and the two women sustained a lasting bond.
The perfume is a blend of woody-gourmand and powdery floral notes. Iris root, Turkish rose, rose from Grasse, violet, tonka bean, benzoin and sandalwood form the composition. Created by Olivier Polge, it’s his first for Chanel as he assumes the in-house perfumer title alongside his father, Jacques Polge.
75 and 200 ml Eau de Toilette will be available at Chanel boutiques and concessions starting March 2015. Via press release
93 Comments
Sandra: The notes in Misia sound wonderful.
Have you gotten a chance to smell it yet?
I love my FBs of eau de cologne and Beige. I wore Beige on my wedding day.
The flurries are starting a fall here in NYC, and I am wondering what perfume to snuggle up with today. All weekend I have been wearing Lyric by Amouage- I need to switch it up. January 26, 2015 at 8:35am
Victoria: Stay warm, Sandra! What perfume did you end up wearing?
No, I haven’t tried it yet, but I look forward to sampling Misia. January 26, 2015 at 11:18am
Sandra: Jubilation & cozying up with a nice warm cup of chai tea. Have a good week ahead! January 26, 2015 at 11:33am
Victoria: This sounds wonderful! We had a misty, rainy day today, and I was really not inspired to go outside. But at home, it’s nice and cozy. I’m going to wear Chamade and drink tea that intriguingly tastes of wet earth and jasmine. January 26, 2015 at 11:36am
Hamamelis: I wish all US East coast readers lots of strength and ways to stay warm!
I received Bois des Isles extrait for my birthday this weekend, a collective family present (after smelling it from the Travelling Samples), and it is gorgeous. As a more than double bonus surprise my sister gave me a 100 ml almost full bottle Chanel no 5 eau de toilette, which belonged to my late mother. I did not know this bottle existed and that my sister kept it safe. It must be between 20 or 30 years old, it has turned into a golden brown colour, and I am sure it was not kept away from light or heat. But…it is so absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, so soft and tender, and yet so full bodied. I have never smelled anthing like it. I think it illustrates Chanel’s outstanding quality in a lovely way. So one day I hope to smell Misia! January 26, 2015 at 8:54am
Sandra: What a lovely gesture! Enjoy your no5 January 26, 2015 at 9:31am
Cornelia Blimber: Congratulations, Hamamelis!
Your birthday gifts are absolutely wonderful.
Nog vele jaren! January 26, 2015 at 11:17am
Hamamelis: Thank you Cornelia 🙂 January 26, 2015 at 11:46am
Hamamelis: Thank you, it smells heavenly! January 26, 2015 at 11:53am
Victoria: What a perfect present for a perfume lover! Your No 5 is a real treasure, and if it’s the EDT, it should keep well. The parfum is a little more delicate, but still, some of my older bottles are in remarkably good condition. You’re absolutely right about quality. It’s something you can smell instantly in these blends.
Happy Birthday! 🙂 January 26, 2015 at 11:20am
Hamamelis: Absolutely perfect presents, couldn’t be happier. It is indeed the eau de toilette, in a square bottle (without a spray), that must be the reason it kept so well (or got even better? ). Thank you for your birthday wishes :). January 26, 2015 at 11:49am
Karen: Happy Birthday and congrats on such wonderful gifts! May all your birthday wishes come true! January 26, 2015 at 12:12pm
Hamamelis: Thank you Karen 🙂
Are you more or less safe from the snow storm in Maryland? And your flowering hamamelis? January 26, 2015 at 12:39pm
Karen: Yes although we are having ice/freezing rain, uggg but we are safe and sound! When I went out earlier and smelled the witch hazel, I thought to wish you a year as wonderful and as beautiful as the fragrance of Hamemalis! January 26, 2015 at 5:45pm
Hamamelis: Thank you so much Karen, that is the nicest birthday wish I have received! 🙂 January 27, 2015 at 4:59am
Victoria: It might make a difference as well. And the bottle is so nice looking. January 27, 2015 at 11:11am
bregje: gefeliciteerd!
How wonderful that,even though she’s not here anymore,your mother managed to give you such a beautiful birthdaygift 😉 January 26, 2015 at 7:03pm
Hamamelis: Thank you Bregje! It is indeed very special to have received it, and my mother used to give us lots of surprises, so this is absolutely one of them 🙂 January 27, 2015 at 5:02am
ElenavL: Is extrait the same as perfume concentration? I love it too.
Happy birthday! Mine was this weekend too – I got a tiny bottle of No 5 in perfume. So now I could stop keeping track of SAs at Bijenkorf I have already asked for a spritz 😉 January 26, 2015 at 7:45pm
Hamamelis: Hi Elenavi, yes it is the same as perfume concentration, and what a similar gifts we received! Happy birthday to you too, I hope you will enjoy the No 5 perfume, please let us know. I admired No 5 rather than loving it, but after having smelled this lovely vintage Eau de Toilette I am thinking perfume concentration may be a good birthday present next year 🙂 And how funny for you to keep track of the SA’s…this love of perfume makes inventive creatures of us! January 27, 2015 at 5:06am
ElenavL: Hi Hamamelis, thanks for the birthday wishes. I shared the same feeling about No 5 until I read V’s review that inspired me to smell the pure perfume and that was love! Well, not as big as 31 Rue de Cambon or Bois de Iles or No 22 (oh, by now I realize how promiscuous I am in perfume world, ah well) but still, I got totally addicted and had to have a spritz every time I visited de Bijenkorf and dared to ask for it (hence keeping track of the SAs ;)) By the way, one of the SAs has told me that De Bijenkorf in Amsterdam is planning to introduce Les Exclusiefs into their Chanel counter! I am so jealous! Eindhoven does not really have interesting perfume stores. January 27, 2015 at 10:11am
Hamamelis: Hi Elena, thank you for letting me know about the Adam Bijenkorf planning to introduce Les Exclusifs! I will plan a visit this year, as where I live on the Veluwe there is only Kruidvat (not really true, but there are no good perfumeries). January 27, 2015 at 10:28am
ElenavL: Oh, I did not realize things cam be even worse. The SA did not know when it would happen, but I was very excited anyway. I know Amsterdam has a Chanel store, but frankly speaking, I find those a bit too intimidating for my taste.
My next perfume trip would be a little closer to home: Skins in Breda, to smell Carnal Flower and Perfume de Therese I am so curious about after reading so much about them in discussions here. January 27, 2015 at 10:49am
Hamamelis: Oh yes, quite intimidating…with a doorman looking like a bouncer 😉 January 27, 2015 at 3:42pm
ElenavL: Exactly! 🙂 January 27, 2015 at 5:26pm
Cornelia Blimber: Chanels Excl. in De Bijenkorf? Well, they are already available in the Chanel Boutique in the P.C. Hooftstraat!
It is about time Guerlain will have their Excl. they have only a tiny little corner in De Bijenkorf. Hardly visible, a shame.
Hahaha, the doorman is there to greet you friendly and bid you welcome…. January 28, 2015 at 10:15am
Hamamelis: Then I hope he learns to smile a little 😉
also to the provincialen… January 28, 2015 at 10:54am
Victoria: Happy Birthday to you, Elena! I apologize for missing your comment earlier, but I wish you much happiness and beauty. 🙂 January 29, 2015 at 11:44am
Michaela: Happy birthday! Beautiful gifts, enjoy them. And what a nice family you have! January 27, 2015 at 4:00am
Hamamelis: Thank you Michaela, and yes, they are very nice and all were very interested in this new strange occupation with things scented I developed! January 27, 2015 at 5:08am
Alessandra: Can’t wait to try this!!! January 26, 2015 at 9:23am
Victoria: Same here. The last Les Exclusif I really loved was Beige. January 26, 2015 at 11:20am
Alessandra: I only discovered Beige a few months ago in Paris, loved it! January 26, 2015 at 7:03pm
Victoria: It’s such an elegant but non-fussy, casual perfume. January 27, 2015 at 11:13am
Alessandra: Yes! And it’s sweet but not too much. Very polished 🙂 January 27, 2015 at 12:42pm
bregje: I’ve always wanted to try Beige and Jersey and Misia sounds beautiful too,but i don’t know where in Holland i could sample them.
And it’s too expensive for a blind buy. January 26, 2015 at 7:08pm
ElenavL: Amsterdam, Brussels and Dusseldorf all have Chanel stores. January 26, 2015 at 7:36pm
bregje: Yes,but like (i believe it was you)you said:those stores often have such intimidating people walking around.
I always feel like i have to buy at least a two piece suit plus a 2.55 bag before they would let me smell a bit of perfume.
And then a blind buy would be more economic;) January 28, 2015 at 7:58pm
bregje: And happy birthday,Elena January 28, 2015 at 8:02pm
Victoria: P.S. Of course, if you drive, you can always make a trip to Haute Parfumerie Place Vendome in Wevelgem, Belgium. They have the whole collection and much more, and they’re generous with samples and advice. January 27, 2015 at 11:15am
Hamamelis: Ha, that may be a good reason for a nice trip coming summer!
Wishing you a very good time with your family. January 27, 2015 at 3:46pm
bregje: Oooh,that’s a good t(r)ip;).
I don’t know when i’ll be able to do that but it’s definitely on my to do list now. January 28, 2015 at 7:52pm
Victoria: A little Bois de Jasmin return at Place Vendome, then? 🙂 January 29, 2015 at 11:45am
Hamamelis: That sounds like a lovey plan! 🙂 January 29, 2015 at 12:34pm
Hamamelis: lovely I mean! January 29, 2015 at 12:35pm
bregje: Sounds like fun! January 29, 2015 at 9:24pm
Anne-Catherine: Sounds a great idea! I can pick people up and drive to Wevelgem and if necessary translate from Dutch to English. January 30, 2015 at 7:44am
Victoria: That’s so kind of you. The store staff is fluently in at least 3 languages, so that shouldn’t be an issue, but your offer is very generous! January 30, 2015 at 7:58am
Anne-Catherine: They look very professional indeed. I can pick people up from the station of Antwerp, Gent or Brussels if this can help with organizing January 30, 2015 at 8:12am
Hamamelis: Thank you so much, this looks increasingly like a very good plan. Now I think we need to set a date, or at least begin with a month! January 31, 2015 at 3:59pm
Anne-Catherine: Hi to all perfumelovers who would love to go to Place vendome at Wevelgem. Misia arrived there yesterday and i’m going to wevelgem tomorrow. Some of you have already discovered Misia, but that is no excuse not to go! Can we make a list who wants to go and at what time + week or On a saturday?
Victoria, can you propose Some dates? March 4, 2015 at 9:14am
Victoria: I suppose, you can post about it in one of our recent threads, and we’ll see who’s interested.
P.S. I see that you already did, in our Scent Diary! March 7, 2015 at 8:21am
Nicola: Oh yes please! (keeps beady eye out on decant sites) January 26, 2015 at 9:26am
Victoria: 🙂 January 26, 2015 at 11:20am
Tijana: I am so excited! I love Chanel Exclusifs and this one definitely sounds intriguing on the paper. Let’s hope it does not disappoint in reality 🙂
Thank you for the update! January 26, 2015 at 9:38am
Victoria: It definitely sounds lovely on paper–iris, tonka bean, woods, roses… January 26, 2015 at 11:21am
johanob: Well,you had me at Iris Root…so…EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! January 26, 2015 at 11:11am
Victoria: Iris root always captures my attention too. January 26, 2015 at 11:27am
Claudia: Me too! I can hardly wait! January 26, 2015 at 11:15am
Victoria: March is only a month or so away! 🙂 January 26, 2015 at 11:27am
OperaFan: All I needed to get me excited were the notes of Turkish Rose, Iris and Sandalwood…. Oh, the anticipation! January 26, 2015 at 11:42am
Victoria: Yes, that part too made me curious about Misia. 🙂 January 27, 2015 at 11:10am
rainboweyes: Did you say IRIS root? Can’t wait to try it!
On the other hand I remember having high hopes for 1932 and I was so disappointed when I finally smelled it…
Let’s see if they did a better job this time. January 26, 2015 at 12:04pm
Victoria: I hear you! 1932 also sounds absolutely perfect until I tried it. So, I will keep my expectations reasonable. January 27, 2015 at 11:12am
Brenda: It is hard to believe I have reached this age (!!) and never owned a Chanel perfume-especially because I so adore almost all French perfumes. I am sure to treat myself to a bottle of this… my last few scent purchases were at airport duty free shops… so, I saved a wee bit there! Thank for the interesting story behind this fragrance…it makes it all the more appealing to me. January 26, 2015 at 3:30pm
Victoria: They’re really worth trying, and the collection now is so diverse that it’s easier to pick something–floral, woody, herbal, cologne, etc. January 27, 2015 at 11:13am
James Drysdale: A must try January 26, 2015 at 4:42pm
Victoria: It’s on my list! January 27, 2015 at 11:13am
Bobbie: Too bad the Les Exclusifs have gone up in price recently January 26, 2015 at 10:01pm
Victoria: I haven’t check the prices lately. By how much did they increase? January 27, 2015 at 11:15am
Jamie K: Really excited for this, but hoping that it doesn’t mean something gets discontinued to make room. Thankfully, 28 La Pausa survived after the rumours a few years ago, but I do worry… January 27, 2015 at 9:47am
Victoria: They so far haven’t discontinued anything, so I hope that it won’t mean that. January 27, 2015 at 11:18am
rainboweyes: Oh no, not La Pausa, please… I’m still hoping for an extrait version one day… January 27, 2015 at 11:59am
Victoria: Me too, although Chanel commented explicitly in one article that it would be too expensive. January 29, 2015 at 11:46am
Melinda: Judging by the notes that are in this, it sounds like my kind of perfume! very excited to smell it. January 27, 2015 at 10:49am
Victoria: Me too. Of course, the notes are often just marketing, but one remains hopeful. 🙂 January 27, 2015 at 11:20am
spe: Gourmands don’t excite me that much. I’ll be able to sniff it due to Nordstrom flagship here in town, but the issue for me will be its sweetness and I have a very difficult time gauging that from a list of notes. January 27, 2015 at 12:36pm
Victoria: It doesn’t seem to be a gourmand in the sense of Angel, but without smelling, we’re just making guesses. List of notes are not that reliable. January 29, 2015 at 11:47am
Ann C.: I love several of Les Exclusifs; I can’t wait to try this one. I’m supposed to be on a no-buy until spring, but I suspect I’ll be tempted to buy a full bottle of Misia. I hope I can restrain myself and sample first.
I look forward to reading a review from you. January 27, 2015 at 2:07pm
Victoria: It’s always better to stick with your resolution, and a no-buy goal is great. Plus, you can use this time to wear your favorites and rediscover different nuances in them. January 29, 2015 at 11:48am
Figuier: Thanks for the update! This sounds fascinating, if not necessarily offering the clarity I admire in my favourite Exclusifs – that’s quite a lot of notes. But having been wearing 28 La Pausa quite a lot the last few days, I’m keen to smell that iris in a new context. Definitely one to test. January 28, 2015 at 6:17pm
Figuier: Oh, and it just occurs to me: the description and list of notes together make Misia sounds like a Chanel version of Attrape-Coeur! January 29, 2015 at 3:37am
Victoria: Oh, wow, you’re right! Of course, who knows what it’s going to smell like, but you have a point there. January 29, 2015 at 11:39am
behemot: Must try Misia. I feel it can be something for me 🙂 January 29, 2015 at 2:38pm
Victoria: Misia Sert was such an interesting person. January 30, 2015 at 7:20am
JulienFromDijon: Sounds like Olivier Polge’s take on “l’heure bleue”.
And for the better, I bet, because what of an interesting theme!
Jacques Guerlain put a lot of stuffs in the formula though, even anisic and aromatic herbs tones. But Thierry Wasser’s last knock-off placed the theme in a more gourmand vibe, less instruments for a more catchy tune (ethylmaltol & roasted tonka goodness) (I forgot the name of this exclusive).
The pdt was really like this though *. Jasmine sillage amped up by diffusive mimosa and anisic tones, then hefty on silvery iris, then a sandalwood dominated amber base.
* (I’m keep on thinking on how JPG twicked his grand-pa’s formulas in the way he liked them, resulting in “parfum de toilette” versions. Amping up the florals, with materials that would unfortunately get prohibited/limited in the next decade (lyral, mimosa).
For example I love mitsouko PDT, it’s so luscious in the florals part (lascivious rose quality with jammy effect, smells almost of ylang to me (like “my sin” of Lanvin, same trick)) The actual rendition -spare the EDP new rendition I haven’t tried- is a disgusting patchouly to my nose : I suppose the first rule of a good chypre is to not temper with the ingredient quality. (Mitsouko is chypre + undecalactone + IRIS $$$) (not patchouly + product to wax the floor) (maybe they focused on a patchouly cedar accord ?!?)
So on with Jicky and Shalimar and Nahema. I love the PDT.
Olivier Polge achieve nice things with its exclusive line, like clothes sewed with tiny spaced stitches. And he’s got jasmine and rose de mai to play with -the kind you can’t flush in no5, because, well, too much bottle are sold-. Though, on sourcing, he once admitted to have trouble to get sandalwood for “bois des îles”, so if you have an former bottle of the new exclusive line it’s a keeper. (that, and the price has increased. Ick!) January 29, 2015 at 3:58pm
JulienFromDijon: Sorry, I was out of topic, I swear I though I read “jasmine” in Misia’s description.
I see “l’heure bleue” everywhere, it’s a wonderful disease. January 29, 2015 at 4:16pm
Victoria: It sure is wonderful! Nothing to complain about. 🙂 January 30, 2015 at 7:20am
Irina: Wonderful news! What would be the official pronunciation of Misia, a la French or a la Polish? I like to get it right in even if SAs often don’t 🙂 January 29, 2015 at 6:36pm
Victoria: I’m guessing, French. January 30, 2015 at 7:21am
Bela: I agree. *Even if* her friends may have tried to pronounce her name the way she did herself while she was alive, no one else in French would have later on. February 1, 2015 at 8:39am
Bela: Oops, meant to write ‘no one else in France…’ February 1, 2015 at 8:41am
Victoria: I hope that you will add it to your pronunciation files! February 1, 2015 at 11:16am