Iskander

Who is Iskander?

Iskander is a fragrance signed by perfumer Marc-Antoine Corticchiato, a creator behind many of the essences crafted for the house of Parfum d'Empire. But why choose to name a fragrance in this way, and above all, what does the word Iskander mean? In fact, Iskander is the name the Arabs gave to Alexander the Great. He was primarily known for his will to conquer, which extended across the entire world. Moreover, while this ambition seemed illusory to many, history has proven otherwise. Indeed, although Alexander the Great died suddenly at the age of 32, the consequence of his death brought about, for a very brief time, a political unity between the West and the East that was never found again. It is precisely this that lies at the heart of this fragrance. Iskander symbolises perfect harmony. In this sense, its scent draws inspiration equally from Western perfumery and typically Oriental influences. In other words, it is entirely up to you to pack your bags… Parfum d'Empire is determined to take you on an olfactory journey around the world!

The chypre fragrance crafted by Parfum d'Empire

Parfum d'Empire delights in describing Iskander as a « hesperidic chypre riding, from West to East, along the trail of precious aromatic materials… ». Furthermore, it opens on a true burst of citrus notes. These evoke the Mediterranean without question. Yet most of them are imported from Asia. One recognises in particular the presence of citron, an ingredient with a sparkling and tangy scent. Likewise, Chinese mandarin reveals its vegetal and fruity character. Finally, the ensemble is completed by the bitterness of grapefruit from South-East Asia. There, the blend becomes charged with aromatics such as lightly anise-scented tarragon and the more peppery coriander. Neroli, meanwhile, releases its greener facet while the flower of the bitter orange tree softens the whole. Ultimately, Iskander rests on a deeper base. One notes in particular the presence of oakmoss and amber. The ensemble is further enveloped by the sensuality of musk. Thus Iskander becomes a journey through « the forests of Macedonia for the moss, the shores of happy Arabia where ambergris runs aground, the Tonkin musk of that China which Iskander might one day have reached, he who had already conquered India… »

The Eau de Parfum Iskander by Parfum d'Empire

Iskander is a fresh, luminous chypre expressing the fire, youth and athletic beauty of ancient Greece.

Iskander opens with sparkling and tangy citron, paired with mandarin and grapefruit to give the hesperidic signature of the Mediterranean Basin.

The delicate freshness of orange blossom contrasts with the vigour of tarragon and coriander, brought back from the Hellenic conquests.

Oakmoss, musk and amber bestow an eternal trail upon Iskander. A water of youth that unites the East and the West.

A chypre water at the crossroads of East and West.

This fresh chypre opens with a sparkling, tangy citron paired with mandarin and grapefruit. The delicate freshness of neroli contrasts with the aromatic vigour of tarragon and coriander. Oakmoss, amber and musk anchor the flight in a sensual and spirited trail.

Iskander, a luminous water, eternal as the Olympic Games...

Like the conqueror from whom it takes its name — Iskander is the Persian translation of Alexander — this hesperidic chypre rides from West to East along the trail of precious aromatic materials...

While citrus fruits today evoke the Mediterranean from which Alexander set out, it is Asia that gave birth to them: the sparkling and tangy citron, brought back from the Hellenic expeditions, the green and fruity mandarin from China, or the bitter grapefruit from South-East Asia...

These fruits of the sun are refreshed by the aromatic notes of tarragon, lightly anise-scented, and coriander, which blends its peppery accents with a touch of zest. The green finesse of neroli, distilled from the flower of the bitter orange tree, softens these tonic accords worthy of the athletes of ancient Greece.

A base of oakmoss and amber, wrapped in musk to extend its trail, gives the fragrance its chypre character. It is the itinerary of the young conqueror from West to East that is retraced: forests of Macedonia for the moss, shores of happy Arabia where ambergris runs aground, Tonkin musk of that China which Iskander might one day have reached, he who had already conquered India...

Fragrances stolen from the gods by men in search of immortality — that is the dream of Iskander.