Arrogance Pour Femme, from Arrogance was released in 1982. The perfumer behind this creation is Raymond Chaillan. It has the top notes of Bergamot, Lily, and Orange, middle notes of Jasmine, Orange Blossom, and Rose, and base notes of Cedarwood, Musk, and Oakmoss.
C14 aldehydes for the peach effect, bergamot, green notes, neroli, hyacinth. Iris, LOTV, jasmine, carnation, ylang ylang, tuberose. Musk, oakmoss, amber, sandalwood, vanilla, cedar wood, ambergris and civet. This is (vintage) Arrogance pour Femme. By Raymond Chaillan, one of the 4 noses behind Anaïs Anaïs, Arrogance is the grown up, 80’s animalic version. 100ml splash bottle from 1982. EDT. Anaïs came in the late 70’s, and it always felt like peachy teenager skin. Gossamer, hazy, but while innocent it always carried a heavy carnal load. Sometimes I think of it as a perverted nun. Hiding the dirty thoughts behind a veil. Arrogance becomes a fulfilled woman, no longer needing to hide. More indolic, more animalic, she lives her life without giving a fuck. While Anaïs feels like a study on Madonna Lily, Arrogance borrows the intense green/herbal opening of Scherrer, plays with the same floral notes found in Anaïs, but here the Lily (even if not mentioned) plays with the hyacinth for a brief moment as to convey a false innocence. Playful. The tuberose and jasmine change that when they start to show up. The heart feels decidedly creamy and tender at the same time. Think white lace underwear instead of raunchy black. Dim lights instead of neon signs. Emmanuelle instead of Tracy Lords. It feels decidedly erotic, just like a 70’s Italian film you’re watching scared of being caught. The civet and amber/ambergris add that lick of naughtiness that make it what it is; a filthy chypre, Italian caliber! On my skin, the similarity to Anaïs is inevitable. Like a flanker. Chaillan played with balance, shadow and light and gave us (willingly, persuaded or not) a forgotten but excellent fragrance. Arrogance doesn’t elicit the same reaction, awe or status symbol power like many others, but viewed on its own merits, this is just as stunning as most chypres from the era, especially those erotically charged Italian ones. If anyone has watched ‘The Killing of a Chinese Bookie’, I can picture Sherry smelling of Arrogance in the limo scene, having Dom Perignon as they head to gamble. Just like its (vintage) male counterpart, Arrogance is one of the finest duos made by Pikenz back in the glory days of perfumery. Excellent sillage and longevity on both, easily worn by anyone today!