Issey Miyake Perfume House – In the words of Issey Miyake, the legendary designer who redefined the world of fragrance:
“The best fragrance is the scent of water, the fragrance of dew and rain falling on plants. Water is the essential element, a source of life and energy. A perfume that, like a garment, moves to suit the woman, her skin. A perfume that embraces a woman.”
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Who is Issey Miyake?
Issey Miyake is a Japanese fashion designer. He is known for his innovative and avant-garde designs. The Issey Miyake perfume house is an extension of his fashion brand. Offers a range of fragrances that reflect Miyake’s artistic sensibilities. Miyake expanded his brand into the world of fragrance with the launch of the iconic L’Eau d’Issey perfume in 1992. The brand’s most famous fragrance, fresh, aquatic scent that was groundbreaking at the time. The use of water as a central theme in a fragrance, something that was quite innovative in the perfume industry.
Issey Miyake: A Chronology of a Visionary Life
Issey Miyake (April 22, 1938 – August 5, 2022) was a pioneering Japanese fashion designer. He originally born as Kazunaru Miyake in Hiroshima. He gained worldwide recognition for his innovative, technology-driven clothing designs, as well as his exhibitions and fragrances. Among his creations, L’Eau d’Issey became his most iconic and celebrated product.
Hsinhuei Chiou, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
As a child, he dreamed of becoming a dancer. And his fascination with fashion began when he explored his sister’s fashion magazines. He studied graphic design at Tama Art University in Tokyo and graduated in 1964. Despite entering fashion competitions at Bunka Fashion College, he did not win due to his limited skills in pattern-making and sewing. After finishing his studies, he moved to Paris to attend the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne and trained as an assistant designer under Guy Laroche. He also worked with Hubert de Givenchy, producing 50 to 100 sketches each day.
A New Chapter: Miyake’s New York Experience and Tokyo Return
In 1969, he moved to New York City, where he connected with influential artists such as Christo and Robert Rauschenberg. During his time there, he took English classes at Columbia University and worked on Seventh Avenue for designer Geoffrey Beene. Upon returning to Tokyo in 1970, he established the Miyake Design Studio, focusing on high-end women’s fashion.
Influences and Inspirations: Miyake’s Artistic Journey
From a young age, Miyake admired the work of artist Isamu Noguchi, whose innovative designs and playful approach deeply influenced him. He was also captivated by fashion designer Madeleine Vionnet’s use of geometric precision and her emphasis on “a single piece of beautiful cloth.” During his time in Paris, Miyake explored various museums and drew inspiration from sculptors such as Constantin Brâncuși and Alberto Giacometti. Fashion editor Sylvia Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle credits Miyake, along with Babette Pinsky, with “reinventing” the iconic Mariano Fortuny pleat in the 1980s.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Issey Miyake perfume house:
Founder: The perfume house is named after its founder, Issey Miyake, who established the brand in 1970. Miyake’s approach to design is marked by simplicity and innovation. The brand is renowned for its minimalist yet highly evocative scents, aiming to create fragrances that convey a message and inspire hope for a brighter future.
Miyake’s philosophy in perfumery reflects his fashion design principles— clarity, essentialism, and a deep respect for nature. His fragrances frequently feature natural elements, celebrating the essence of water, flowers, and wood.
Issey Miyake Perfume House Innovation in Packaging
Bottle Design: Issey Miyake’s perfume bottles are as remarkable as the scents they contain. The original L’Eau d’Issey bottle, for instance, draws inspiration from the moon’s silhouette behind the Eiffel Tower, reflecting Miyake’s passion for streamlined, geometric design.
One evening while in Paris, Issey Miyake witnessed a full moon rising behind the Eiffel Tower. This inspiring view led to the concept for the L’Eau d’Issey bottle. The design features a simple cone shape with a matte metal neck, topped with a clear, crystalline orb, capturing an essence of pure beauty.
Issey Miyake Perfume Collaborations: Iconic Scents Born from Creative Partnerships
Issey Miyake has partnered with renowned perfumers and artists to create unique fragrances that push the boundaries of traditional perfumery. For instance, the brand worked with artist Ikko Tanaka to design several of its fragrance bottles.
In addition to partnering with artists for bottle designs, Issey Miyake has been a pioneer in packaging innovation. The brand has incorporated eco-friendly materials and designs, showing just how committed they are to sustainability.
Issey Miyake Perfume : Debut of New Scents
- L’Eau d’Issey Eau de Toilette
Issey Miyake introduced its first fragrance, L’Eau d’Issey for women, in 1992. Created by perfumer Jacques Cavallier, this fragrance quickly became a classic, celebrated for its fresh and aquatic aroma. Miyake envisioned this scent, named L’Eau d’Issey (meaning ‘water’), as a tribute to water’s purity and its profound inspiration. The concept was that the most beautiful and pure fragrance is the essence of clean, clear water, a vision that gave rise to this distinctive fragrance.
The Odyssey Connection: Issey Miyake’s Fragrance Journey
The name, both in how it sounds and what it means, is linked to “Odyssey”—the Greek epic about the hero Odysseus and his adventurous journey. It also hints at the beginning of Issey Miyake’s adventure into the world of perfumes.
How much does it cost?
The price is typically around $65, but with discounts, you might find it for about $50 for 100 ml/3.3 fl.oz.
- L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Eau de Toilette was introduced in 1994. Featuring notes of yuzu, nutmeg, and sandalwood, it is still available for purchase.
- L’Eau Bleue d’Issey Pour Homme was introduced in 2004 and won the FiFi Award for Best Packaging in Men’s Prestige in 2005. It is no longer available for purchase.
- Its evolution, L’eau Bleue d’Issey Eau Fraiche was introduced in 2006. This fragrance is now discontinued.
- L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Intense was released in the United States in June 2007, with a wider international launch following in September 2007. It can still be found in some discount stores.
Starting in 2007, Issey Miyake introduced a “limited edition” fragrance for women each year, collaborating with a different “guest” perfumer for each release. In 2007, he launched Drop on a Petal, followed by Reflections in a Drop in 2008.
New Flankers of the Original L’Eau d’Issey Fragrances: Latest Releases and Variations
LES EAUX DE MATIÈRE – L’Eau d’Issey Rose A Rose Eau de Parfum 2019, Fragrance by perfumer Marie Salamagne and Dora Baghriche. L’Eau d’Issey Eau & Magnolia Eau de Toilette Intense 2022, by perfumer Daphne Bugey. L’Eau d’Issey Pivoine Eau de Toilette 2023 by perfumer Marie Salamagne. L’Eau d’Issey Solar Violet Eau de Toilette 2024, by perfumer Marie Salamagne.
Over the years, the Issey Miyake Perfume House has added a range of different versions of the original scent for both men and women, as well as introducing new fragrances like Nuit d’Issey, Pleats Please, and A Scent by Issey Miyake.
How much does it cost?
- L’Eau d’Issey Rose A Rose Eau de Parfum – The price is typically around $50(45 Euro, 39 GBP), but with discounts, you might find it for about $40(36 Euro, 31 GBP) for 90 ml/3.3 fl.oz.
- L’Eau d’Issey Eau & Magnolia Eau de Toilette Intense – The price is typically around $64(45 Euro, 39 GBP), but with discounts, you might find it for about $50(58 Euro, 50 GBP) for 90 ml/3.3 fl.oz.
- L’Eau d’Issey Pivoine Eau de Toilette – The price is typically around $64(45 Euro, 58 GBP), but with discounts, you might find it for about $50(58 Euro, 50 GBP) for 90 ml/3.3 fl.oz.
- L’Eau d’Issey Solar Violet Eau de Toilette – The price is typically around $132(120 Euro, 102 GBP), but with discounts, you might find it for about $90(82 Euro, 70 GBP) for 90 ml/3.3 fl.oz.
Discover Issey Miyake’s Latest Fragrance Line: Drop d’Issey
A Drop d’Issey marks a new chapter in the L’Eau d’Issey fragrance story that began in 1992. It embodies the essence of water, represented by the simple yet vital shape of a drop, symbolizing the source of life. The fragrance is crafted with an emphasis on environmental responsibility, from the selection of raw materials to the choice of ingredients.
How much does it cost?
- A Drop d’Issey, created by perfumer Ane Ayo with bottle design by Todd Bracher, was launched in 2021. The price is typically around $128(116 Euro, 99 GBP), but with discounts, you might find it for about $75(68 Euro, 58 GBP) for 90 ml/3.3 fl.oz.
- A Drop d’Issey Parfum Eau Fraîche, released in 2022, crafted by perfumer Ane Ayo. The price is typically around $128(116 Euro, 99 GBP), but with discounts, you might find it for about $75(68 Euro, 58 GBP) for 90 ml/3.3 fl.oz.
- A Drop d’Issey Essentielle, launched in 2023. The price is typically around $101(92 Euro, 79 GBP), but with discounts, you might find it for about $85(77 Euro, 66 GBP) for 90 ml/3.3 fl.oz.
Where can you buy all these fragrances?
You can find perfumes from the regular lines at many retailers and stores. However, discounted perfumes are usually available only at specific discount stores or outlet shops. It’s worth checking these locations if you’re looking for deals on certain fragrances.
Issey Miyake Perfume Legacy: Crafting Simplicity, Depth, and Sustainability
Even though Issey Miyake has stepped away from active design, his perfume house is still going strong. They keep his vision alive by creating fragrances that combine simplicity with depth. Each scent captures Miyake’s love for clean, elegant design while exploring new and exciting directions in perfume.
The brand is also dedicated to sustainability, using eco-friendly materials and practices to make sure their products are both beautiful and kind to the planet. Miyake’s influence is clear in the choice of ingredients and the design of each bottle, reflecting his passion for innovation and purity.
The continued success of the brand shows how well they stick to Miyake’s original ideas while adapting to the modern world. By upholding high standards and being mindful of the environment, Issey Miyake’s perfume house honors its founder’s legacy and helps pave the way for a more sustainable future. Every fragrance feels like a timeless tribute to Miyake’s vision, blending simplicity with sophistication perfectly.
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