The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Alberto Morillas and Ilias Ermenidis designed Treselle for Avon in 2003. Morillas, the nose behind countless designer and luxury scents, brought his signature approach to tuberose and lily, creating a composition that felt genuinely opulent rather than merely pleasant. Ermenidis, equally acclaimed in the industry, contributed his expertise to this collaborative effort, ensuring the fragrance achieved a complexity that matched its artistic intent. The name itself suggests something rare and hidden: tresor, French for treasure. The fragrance offers that feeling of discovering something valuable at an accessible price point, without requiring the wearer to sacrifice quality for affordability.
What makes Treselle interesting is how it uses tiger orchid as the structural centrepiece rather than an accent. Here, Morillas let it lead alongside the tuberose, creating a white floral that feels both lush and slightly untamed. The orchid's presence is substantial, lending a fullness that distinguishes this from fragrances where such a note might appear merely as a fleeting impression. The liquorice in the heart doesn't read as candy-sweet; it adds a warm, resinous depth that keeps the florals from going too far into powder territory.
The evolution
The first spray is cool, almost sharp, lotus doing its aquatic work, the tuberose not yet fully arrived. Thirty seconds in, the tiger orchid takes over and everything softens. The cream arrives. That initial medicinal edge dissolves into something genuinely lush. For the next two to three hours, this is a full, round white floral, rich without being overwhelming, feminine without being fragile. The pepper in the heart is subtle, more warmth than bite. As it settles into the drydown, the composition narrows. The florals recede and what remains is close to the skin: warm musk, a whisper of powdery iris, the memory of something beautiful rather than the thing itself. On clothing, it lingers into the next day as a soft, skin-like warmth.
Cultural impact
Treselle earned its reputation quietly, the way Avon fragrances often do. Community reviews frequently describe it as smelling like a high-end designer fragrance at a fraction of the cost, a comparison that speaks to Morillas' craftsmanship and Avon's positioning. The tiger orchid and tuberose combination creates a distinctive white floral character that stands apart from many contemporaries of its era. The fragrance doesn't rely on loud projection to make an impression; instead, it rewards attention, offering its nuances to those who draw close enough to discover them.
