It starts with sea salt. It ends in smoke. I wasn’t ready. Are the new Balenciaga perfumes designed to smell like the next era?
Balenciaga Makes Scents Again
Balenciaga is back in the fragrance game and in signature fashion, it’s a full-circle moment. The just-launched lineup of ten perfumes nods directly to Le Dix, the house’s first fragrance, created by Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1947. The number also ties into 10 Avenue George V, the address of the original couture salon. Fittingly, the new collection debuted on the 10th of the month.
As someone who adored Florabotanica (gone but not forgotten), I was more than ready for this next act—and this time, it leans niche. The vintage-style bottles are visually stunning: aged labels, silk ribbons, and classic stoppers that feel more like objets d’art than sinkside accessories. Available only at select Balenciaga boutiques and online, this is luxury perfumery with exclusivity built in. A scented indulgence, if you will.
My Scent Safari at Balenciaga Madrid
Over the weekend, I dragged my husband to the Balenciaga boutique in Madrid to smell everything. Thankfully, Mario (the kindest, most patient associate) walked us through all ten scents with impressive fluency. It reminded me why I love perfume: while I wear scent to feel my best, there’s a strange joy in how it projects to others. A good fragrance makes an impression before you even say a word.
Inside the Balenciaga Perfume Lineup
The ten perfumes are arranged in-store as a linear journey: you begin with soft, clean compositions, move through floral and gourmand territory, and finish with the deep, smoky, and meditative. As Mario put it, you start in the forest and arrive at a sanctuary. Here’s how I experienced each one.
No Comment
I wanted to love this one. Soft, fresh, clean… and somehow, not enough. The formula blends Spanish cypress oil and a trio of green molecules, promising something “amplified aromatic.” To my nose, it’s polite to the point of disappearing.
Getaria
Named after Cristóbal’s birthplace, this marine-tinged scent opens with bright citrus and salty seaweed. There’s a touch of sunshine, but the drydown softens into something cozy and wearable. Simple, elegant, and surprisingly distinctive.
Twenty Four Seven
This is Balenciaga’s idea of your all-day, every-day scent. Amber, vanilla, and musk come together in what I’d call the most “skin-like” of the range. Warm, comforting, and softly floral rather than gourmand. I liked it. But didn’t love it.
To Be Confirmed
Surprise favorite. I didn’t expect to be so obsessed with this floral tulip and Silverneedle tea combo, but here we are. Clean, cheerful, perfectly balanced. It’s refined, pretty, and easy to wear, but not boring. Absolutely obsessed. It’s the one that made me pause mid-spritz and go: “Oh, this is mine.” We took home a bottle.
Muscara
This one pushes into more complex territory with dense ambrette seed and earthy undertones. I can see the appeal for fans of grounded, sweet florals that evolve throughout the day. Personally? Not for me. This was the one I liked least.
Le Dix
The revival. The reference. The icon. Built around iris–both flower and root–this is where Balenciaga’s history lives. It’s (only slightly) powdery, classic, and unapologetically elegant. Chic beyond words. Absolutely going on my holiday wishlist.
100%
My husband’s instant favorite. And if he doesn’t read this, it’ll be his fall surprise. This one is pure rose: metallic, moody, and modern. Think Portrait of a Lady, but more complex, more intense, and less polite. Total showstopper.
Extra
I expected this one to be mine. Pink pepper and immortelle flower? Yes, please. But it just didn’t work with my skin. The spicy-woody drydown lasted forever. In theory, a win, but I found myself wishing for a green note to lift it. Almost great.
Cristóbal
I’m rarely an oud person, and Cristóbal doesn’t change that. This one is deep, patchouli-heavy, and leans masculine. It lasts forever and smells incredibly rich, but it’s not for the faint of nose. For oud fans only.
Incense Perfumum
My initial reaction: too churchy. But give it a minute. The labdanum-heavy opening dries down to something more radiant. The incense lightens while still staying front and center. It’s dramatic, meditative, and hauntingly beautiful. By the end, I realized: I want every coat in my closet to smell like this.
Behind the Scents: Who Created the New Balenciaga Perfumes?
While Balenciaga hasn’t revealed the perfumers behind the new collection, the revival of Le Dix is based on the original 1947 formula created by Francis Fabron. The remaining nine scents were developed under the creative direction of Kering Beauté, most likely in collaboration with in-house or contracted perfumers. Their names may not be public, but the results speak for themselves with precision, character, and a clearly defined point of view.
Sizes, Prices, Etc.
- Full Size: 100ml / $320 or 240 €
- Sampler Set: 10 x 6ml / $85 or 70 €
- Refill Bottle: 200ml / $275 or 220 €
- Coffret Gift Set: 10 x 10ml in a two-tiered display box ($395 or 320 €)
- Travel Spritzers: 15ml sizes launching soon
- Signature Atomizers: Coming soon to pair with the travel collection
Available exclusively at balenciaga.com and select Balenciaga boutiques worldwide.
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