Trudon Tuileries Collection
TUILERIES COLLECTION
Portrait of a Queen and tribute to French heritage
For its 380th anniversary, Trudon dives back into history and launches a new collection named Tuileries. The new scent hints back at French heritage and the countless stories it holds.
HISTORY
In the early months of the French Revolution, Marie-Antoinette and King Louis XVI were forced to leave Versailles for the Tuileries Palace in Paris, which was located across from the Louvre. From 6 October 1789, the reigning family was confined under house arrest, where they would remain until 10 August 1792. Although less well known than the glorious years at the Versailles and Trianon châteaux, this historical period is well documented in public and private archives, many of which are held at the French National Archives.
Shortly after the Revolution, the Royal Wax Manufacture, under the ownership of the Trudon family, lost its status as supplier to the King and its future was in jeopardy. It was ultimately granted an administrative authorisation to remain in business and even to continue supplying the royal family until its last days.
A DEAR FRIEND
At the onset of the revolution Marie Antoinette’s circle of friends rapidly evaporated, but the Count Axel von Fersen remained faithful to his queen. He organised the royal family’s escape to Varennes in 1791 and tried everything in his power to save the Queen’s life.
Marie Antoinette met von Fersen, scion of one of Sweden’s most illustrious noble families, for the first time at a masked ball in the Royal Opera House at Versailles in 1774. He made a lasting impression on the Queen and became part of her inner circle. The nature of their relationship was the subject of much speculation. There is no solid historical proof that they were lovers, but enough mystery persists to maintain the myth. Nonetheless, their secret correspondence provides ample evidence of their mutual attachment, as do the count’s letters to friends and family. Writing to his sister he declared: “I have decided never to marry. It would be unnatural... I cannot belong to the one person I truly want... So I prefer to belong to nobody.”
Between 1791 and 1792, though the Queen was kept under close surveillance after an escape attempt, she still managed to write letters to her confident.
MADLY IN LOVE
The letters have been censored by some mysterious actor, scrawling out words and lines with tightly looped circles of ink. Recently scientists have revealed the content of 15 of the censored letters between Queen Marie-Antoinette and Count von Fersen using a technique which can detect the chemical signatures of different inks without damaging documents.
Though the content of the Queen’s correspondence with the count is frequently political, the letters also capture some of the most extreme moments of her life : she’s under house arrest, she fears for her life and her family. The letters show the depth of Marie-Antoinette’s affections for her close friend during a time of turmoil. Words like «beloved,» «tender friend,» «adore» and «madly» have been revealed.
Many historians suspect the Count's great nephew, Baron R.M de Klinckowström, to be the letters’ censor, perhaps to preserve his family reputation against rumours. But recent ink scan unveils that the mysterious censor is : The Count von Fersen, himself.
INSPIRATIONS
The Tuileries collection finds its inspiration in a rare document kept at the French National Archives: the Gazette des Atours de la Reine.
In what seems like an ordinary note book, Countess Geneviève d’Ossun a French courtier, who served as lady-in-waiting and first maid of honor to Marie Antoinette, gathered many fabric samples used to tailor the sovereigns’ many dresses and royal outfits.
FLORAL & FRUITY CHYPRE
The fragrance was conceived as an homage to the rose, the Queen's favourite flower throughout her life.
Head notes:
Pink peppercorn - Mandarin - Blackcurrant
Heart notes:
Rose - Raspberry - White flowers - Geranium
Base notes:
Patchouli - Sandalwood - Musk - Vanilla
Images & Information - Trudon