Amouage

Decision 42 raises the drama at the heart of the original composition.​
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The story of a juniper tree struck by lightning becomes even more pressing, sharpening the contrast between rupture and resilience, and giving the tree’s determination to live greater force.​
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The heightened sense of drama is evident throughout the creation. As with all Exceptional Extraits, Decision 42 is housed in a bolder interpretation of the iconic Amouage flacon, with gleaming inner lacquering. ​

Photography by Ateeb Ali

The bottles for Decision 42, as with all Exceptional Extraits, are more dramatic interpretations of the iconic Amouage flacon. They feature gleaming inner lacquering in a shade of seagull grey, echoing the colour of Decision Eau de Parfum.​

Photography by Ateeb Ali

At its heart, Amouage is defined by its people, the individuals who uphold the House’s standards every day.

Every Amouage creation passes through many hands, each helping prepare it for its journey from Oman to the world.​

A glimpse behind the scenes as Decision 42, one of the latest additions to the Exceptional Extraits collection, is prepared, checked, and readied before reaching clients across the globe.​

Photography by Ateeb Ali

For the campaign stills for Overture 41, real silk was shaped and suspended in motion, while transparency, rich tones, and delicate touches of gold leaf brought its amber-hued world to life.​

Visuals + Creative Direction: Louise Mertens louisemertens​
Set Design: Talia Laikin Talia Laikin ​
production: Marco Machtelinckx marcomachtel​
Production assistant: Luis Stone ​

Behind the scenes of the shoot for Decision 42, one of the latest additions to Amouage’s Exceptional Extraits collection.​
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Visuals + Creative Direction: Louise Mertens louisemertens​
Production: Marco Machtelinckx marcomachtel​
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Amouage’s Exceptional Extraits are some of the most precious creations offered by the House. Each of the scents in this exclusive collection is the result of countless careful experiments to measure and evaluate the effects of different ageing times and concentration levels. The aim is to push the ingredients – as well as the perfumers’ skills – to the absolute edges of what they can contribute to the final composition. ​

For Overture 41, the optimal ageing time was set at six weeks, with four weeks of maturation and two weeks of maceration, at a concentration of 41%. It is only through this precise calibration that the visions of Renaud Salmon and Annick Menardo could be brought to vivid, unforgettable life.​

Overture 41 Exceptional Extrait created by Annick Menardo.​

Overture 41 Exceptional Extrait is available on Amouage.com and Amouage Boutiques. ​

Visuals and Creative Direction by louisemertens​
Light and Photo Assistance by Hugo José Pedro Nóbrega​
Set Design by Talia Laikin ​
Retouch by Sam • Stilletto​
Production by marcomachtel​
Production assistance ​

For Overture 41 campaign stills, inspiration was drawn from the organza fabrics of the opera world, translating their lightness, movement, and fluidity into sculptural forms. Real silk was shaped and suspended in motion, while transparency, rich tones, and delicate touches of gold leaf evoke a fleeting moment of movement and dance.​

Visuals and Creative Direction by louisemertens​
Light and Photo Assistance by Hugo José Pedro Nóbrega​
Set Design by Talia Laikin ​
Retouch by Sam • Stilletto​
Production by marcomachtel​
Production assistance ​

Amouage adds two breathtaking compositions to its acclaimed Exceptional Extraits: Decision 42 and Overture 41. ​

In Overture 41, perfumer Annick Menardo takes her creation, Overture Woman, to grand heights. Firstly, she expands the familiar Saffron, Calvados, and Rose to unprecedented dimensions, balancing their richness in a way that ensures they maintain harmony at all times. ​

In the base, an intensified Patchouli and Leather magnify the performer’s nascent assertiveness. The inclusion of a sweet, resinous Amber accord – not present in the eau de parfum – grounds all these excesses and prevents them from losing contact with earthly physicality. Meanwhile, the use of an innovative ingredient called Sandalwood Dreches Absolute – obtained from upcycled sandalwood chips – acts as an anchor to the more tempestuous elements, and imbues the whole with an air of gravitas and authority. In Overture 41, the ingenue is now a diva, telling her tale with a passion and vibrancy that ensure her impact will resonate through the ages.​

Overture 41 Exceptional Extrait created by Annick Menardo.​

Overture 41 Exceptional Extrait is available on Amouage.com. ​

Visuals and Creative Direction by louisemertens​
Light and Photo Assistance by Hugo José Pedro Nóbrega​
Set Design by Talia Laikin ​
Retouch by Sam • Stilletto​
Production by marcomachtel​
Production assistance ​