Perfume Review Balenciaga Paris L’Edition Mer

By Deborah Fulsang

First impression: Plush and breezy with a hint of sweetness. The scent of a happy blue summer sky. Optimistic. Clean.

Reminds me of: Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey. The memory comes wafting back to me immediately. The 1990s: an era of minimalist fashions, where clean lined elegance and long straightened hair were de rigueur. The runway celebrated simplicity with sleek styles in white, grey and black, or the palest tint of blue. 

The facts: Scent-wise, this Balenciaga Paris L’Edition Mer does have much in common with that Miyake groundbreaker. Both have aquatic, oceanic notes mixing with plush florals and a woody base. While Miyake’s had an almost bitter freshness (there’s carnation mixing with his lotus, freesia, peonies, lilies and that amber, wood and musk), this Balenciaga is more plush, watery and pretty fragrance. Here, it’s yuzu swirling with green Shiso leaf, muguet, oceanic accords and dry wood.

The bottom line: This generation of Balenciaga Paris perfumes began in 2008; Olivier Polge created that chypre floral. Then Balenciaga L’Essence in 2011 came along; a floral-green perfume. Then Floribotanica (a floral-green with a bit more green); and then Rosabotanica in 2013, a perfume based on a spicy rose. In 2014, perfume lovers were gifted Balenciaga B, a chic green-woody spritz.

With L’Edition Mer, we have a wearable and fresh-minded alternative to the green and floral perfumes from the house. This one, inspired by the deep blue sea, is tailormade for those who love the Balenciaga brand and aesthetic, are not necessarily big floral or spice fans or green scent lovers, but love a big dreamy perfume. It’s a great fragrance for wearing now on gorgeous sunny days and on swimming- and sunbathing-filled weekends.

The rating: ★★★/★★★★★

Balenciaga Paris L’Edition Mer EDP, $145 (75 ml), at Hudson’s Bay