Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum 35ml is one of the most influential niche fragrances of the 2010s — the unisex amber-floral that helped redefine the modern "amber glow" perfumery genre. Composed by Francis Kurkdjian himself for the 250th anniversary of the Baccarat crystal house in 2015, it combines a luminous saffron-and-jasmine top with an amberwood-and-ambergris heart and a smooth, radiant base of cedar, sugar, ambroxan and fir resin. The 35ml format is the smallest of the eau de parfum sizes — ideal as a gift or a more discreet introduction to the fragrance.
About Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Maison Francis Kurkdjian was founded in Paris in 2009 by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian — the nose behind classics including Jean Paul Gaultier Le Mâle and Narciso Rodriguez For Her — together with Marc Chaya. Now part of LVMH, the house is one of the most respected modern niche perfumeries, recognised for the precision and architectural clarity of its compositions. Baccarat Rouge 540 is its most-recognised fragrance and a frequent point of reference for contemporary "designer-niche" amber compositions.
Fragrance notes
- Top: Saffron, Jasmine
- Heart: Amberwood, Ambergris, Hedione
- Base: Fir Resin, Cedar, Sugar, Ambroxan, Oakmoss
Olfactory family: Amber Floral / Woody | Launched: 2015 | Perfumer: Francis Kurkdjian | Gender: Unisex
The story behind Baccarat Rouge 540
Baccarat Rouge 540 was originally created as a limited edition to mark the 250th anniversary of the historic French crystal house Baccarat. Its name refers to "rouge 540" — the precise furnace temperature, in degrees Celsius, at which Baccarat's signature deep-red crystal is fired with a touch of pure gold. The fragrance was reissued as part of the permanent Maison Francis Kurkdjian range and has since become the most-imitated perfume of the modern era.
Who it's for
Baccarat Rouge 540 is genuinely unisex and suits anyone drawn to warm, luminous amber-led fragrances with a faintly sweet, mineral character. The saffron-jasmine opening reads radiant and slightly metallic; the amberwood-and-cedar drydown gives the scent its signature long-lasting glow. Best year-round, leaning to autumn and winter, and equally at home as a daily signature, evening fragrance and special-occasion wear.
How to wear it
- Spray onto pulse points — wrists, base of the throat, behind the ears — from around 15cm.
- One to two sprays are usually plenty given the strong projection of the composition.
- Apply over an unscented body lotion to extend longevity, particularly on dry skin.
Specifications
- Size: 35ml
- Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Gender: Unisex
- Brand: Maison Francis Kurkdjian
- Year: 2015
- Perfumer: Francis Kurkdjian
- Made in: France
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