Make your move…
We love a good inspiration story at Lore, and Checkmate’s story is beautiful, rich in history and touching family tradition.
The story goes that Henri Frapin, patriarch of the Frapin family in the 1800s, liked to relax on springtime Sundays in the garden opposite the family’s Château Fontpinot, built in 1702 and located above their cognac production site.
He would sit and contemplate the region he grew up in, made up of fertile woodland, pastures and rivers, part of his blood and family story.
His favourite time was when his son would join him at around 11am, when the sun’s rays would begin to illuminate the forest above Segonzac. The chessboard stood ready. His son sat, wordlessly resuming their metaphorical battle, taking pleasure in both the game and the opportunity to spend time with his father.
As they played, the spring breeze brought with it the refreshing fragrance of the surrounding groves. The sun warmed the citrus fruits which ripened in the terracotta pot on the table, while the iris and heliotropes lining the path filled the air with their scent.
Henri served his son a traditional cardamom tea, a spice sharing origins with the game they played. Both players strived to checkmate the other, but they did not hurry, wanting to prologue the time spent together as father and son for as long as possible.
NOTES
Top: Bergamot Essence from Italy, Lemon Essence from Italy, Cardamom Essence from India
Middle: Green Leather, Heliotrope Flower, Iris
Base: Suede, Essence of Virginian Cedarwood, Cashmere Wood, Modern Woods
PERFUMER
Camille Chemardin
HOW IT WEARS
Checkmate is a cocktail of the best things about Frapin fragrances. Upon first spray, you get the fresh and uplifting citrus, accompanied by a hint of bright cardamom. Then, the sweet powder of the heliotrope and iris is revealed – you can imagine the florals in an immaculate French garden releasing their scent in the midday sun. The iris then drags the suede and woody notes in with it, which gives the fragrance an earthy depth. Its lasting power is wonderful, it hangs around for at least 6 hours.
LORE LOVES
We love, love, love this smooth, creamy, leathery number. Now, not that we have ever had tea on a brisk but bright day in the gardens of 18th century French Chateau, but this is what we imagine that smells like! Checkmate is the perfect leather scent for someone who doesn’t like an overly heavy leather – it’s brightened by citrus and spice, making it wearable all year round.
ABOUT THE BRAND
As one of the oldest family owned businesses still operating, the Frapin family have been renowned vine growers for 21 generations. One of the finest cognac producers in the world, Frapin’s style embodies the very essence of cognac – knowledge and well-established methods passed down through generations of the Frapin family. Frapin’s fragrances are lovingly produced on a small batch scale to preserve their outstanding quality. Much like the production of Frapin’s cognac, their perfume line is a composition of their knowledge; their passion for quality ingredients, taking time to develop finely honed skills. Sourcing and selecting the most beautiful raw ingredients, taking the time to showcase sophisticated and complex fragrant compositions and honouring traditions. As Frapin believe, the “quintessence of luxury is taking time to create beauty”.
FREE RETURNS
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