Artist, philosopher, poet. Serge Lutens is an image creator known for his many titles, especially in Japan for the name of his fragrance brand.
He began his career in the makeup world with Dior's makeup line, launched in 1968. Lutens served as artistic director for this legendary collection, astounding many with its innovative creations. After this important role, his deep relationship with Shiseido began in 1980.
As the relationship between the two companies deepened, a decade ago, in 2005, the "HOUSE OF SHISEIDO" in Ginza, Tokyo, held the exhibition "Serge Lutens: Record of a Dreamlike Journey." To coincide with the event, a conversation between Serge Lutens, who was visiting Japan, and Yoshiharu Fukuhara (Shiseido Honorary Chairman) was held. Here are some quotes from their conversation, published in the Research Bulletin "Oiderumin Vol. 19" published by the Corporate Museum.
The two described the emotions they felt when they first met:
"I remember it was a moment when two people truly wanted to get to know each other, and a wave of emotion flowed through my heart." (Lutens)
"I wasn't particularly interested, and wherever we went it was always, 'Lutens, the god of color,' or 'Lutens, the god of Maquillage.' "I couldn't believe that this person was right in front of me," said Honorary Chairman Fukuhara.
Furthermore, Chairman Fukuhara said, "(At the time of this interview) it's been about 20 years since we started creating. We started in the visual world, then created wonderful perfumes, and now we've created makeup that is the epitome of luxury. Our relationship had its ups and downs, and I'm sure there were many times when it caused Mr. Lutens a lot of pain, but ultimately, I think our relationship has created a new world of beauty for the world." These words reveal just how deep the relationship between Shiseido and Serge Lutens was.
The person who connected the two was model Sayoko Yamaguchi, who has supported many Shiseido advertisements as a muse and remains a timeless presence to this day. She often appears in Shiseido's advertising visuals created by Serge Lutens.
Currently, Serge Lutens has been working on fragrances under his own eponymous brand since 2000, and has also added a makeup line since 2005. Before that, he also created the image for the now-defunct "Inui." His 35-year career at Shiseido can be traced at the Shiseido Corporate Museum in Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture.
Serge Lutens has many faces. His unique presence and the colors he created, inspired by his unique worldview, are certainly captivating, but the first thing many people think of him now, at least to me, is his fragrance creator, whose powers are almost magical.
"Nombre Noir," designed with his signature hexagonal shape, is a legendary fragrance that continues to attract inquiries even now, even though production has been discontinued.
The "Century of Perfume Bottles" exhibition (second half), currently being held at the Shiseido Art House adjacent to the Shiseido Corporate Museum, features a display of fragrance bottles designed by Serge Lutens, including "Nombre Noir." One particularly eye-catching exhibit is the so-called "Gravée" series, introduced in France in the mid-1990s. This beautiful collection features glass sculptures. Each year, 30 pieces are produced in a limited edition, and the 28 pieces displayed in glass cases evoke the graceful appearance of perfume bottles from a bygone era. One of these works of art, "La Vieillege de Fer / Lily of Iron" (50ml, ¥13,000, available in limited quantities from November 21st), is now available in a square bottle. This mysterious fragrance, not yet available in Japan, blends the scents of lily, pear, and sandalwood, allowing you to fully experience Lutens's creations and spirit of beauty. "The Iron Doctrine needed virgins, and virgins needed lilies. From this suffering, I store them in a small bottle like a bunker. The creator is inside." (Serge Lutens) Lutens once said the following about fragrance: "For example, when making a jewel, you first pick up a rough stone that looks beautiful, then cut it and create various assets to bring out its maximum brilliance. It's the same way when I make perfumes; it's nothing special," said Serge Lutens. And what kind of brilliance did he give to "La Vierge de Fer / Iron Lily"? We would like to touch on the joy he feels from creating a fragrance that stirs the five senses.
http://www.shiseidogroup.jp/corporate-museum/
---About the Shiseido Corporate Museum
Opened in 1992, the 120th anniversary of the company's founding.
http://www.shiseidogroup.jp/corporate-museum/
---About the Shiseido Corporate Museum
Opened in 1992, the 120th anniversary of the company's founding.
http://www.shiseidogroup.jp/corporate-museum/
---About the Shiseido Corporate Museum
Opened in 1992, the 120th anniversary of the company's founding.
http://www.shiseidogroup.jp/corporate-museum/
---About the Shiseido Corporate Museum
The building houses an archive facility that centrally collects and preserves a variety of company materials, including products and advertising materials created throughout the company's long history, as well as a museum where some of the collection is open to the public for exhibition. The museum introduces the company's history from its founding to the present day, advertising-related materials such as product packaging, posters, newspaper and magazine advertisements, and TV commercials, and the relationship between Shiseido and Japanese cosmetic culture.
■Shiseido Art House
TEL: 0537-23-6122
Admission: Free
Closed: Mondays (if Monday is a public holiday, closed the following day)
Opening hours: 10:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
http://www.shiseidogroup.jp/art-house/
