The lily of the valley flower grows in the shape of little bells dangling from a slender stalk that grows on the forest floor in temperate climates. With an incredible popularity and short flowering season, the flower is also grown in greenhouses. Since the flowers are too fragile to be distilled, it is easier for perfumers to recreate their several scent profiles using a combination of raw materials.
Also known as May bells or May lily in French, the flower is associated with being picked from the forest on the first of May. This popular tradition links the lily of the valley flower with the imminent "end of the torments of winter and the return of happiness." With origins in the Renaissance, the May 1st tradition dates all the way back to 1561 when Charles IX offered the flower to his family members as a lucky charm. It is believed to attract good graces that lead to bountiful harvests. In the animal world, the flower's lore states that its graceful bell shapes and sweet scent lure the nightingale out of its nest to find its mate. Named convallaria in Latin, the lily of the valley takes its English name from its preference to growing in slightly wet soil. The French name, muguet, is a medieval distortion of the words muguette (nutmeg) or muge (musk)--in honor of a similarity of scents. In tribute to the lily of the valley fragrance, young elegant French men of the 16th and 17th centuries were referred to as muguets.
Christian Dior wants a “soliflore”, a lily of the valley perfume, his favorite flower, which he superstitiously slips into the hems of his models for fashion shows. The smell, yet intense, of this little white bell, cannot be extracted. Edmond Roudnitska will have to recreate this olfactory dream, perfectly transcribed in this fresh floral fragrance, with green and natural accents, which deploys on a heart supported by ylang-ylang and jasmine.
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