The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Clelie arrived in 2026 with Emna Doghri as its perfumer. Its composition places cherry at the center, framed by pistachio and cherry water at the opening, with almond through the heart. The direction is exacting: fruit sweetness meets a nutty counterweight, while tonka bean, benzoin, and vanilla give the final impression warmth. The notes create a study in contrasts, pairing bright cherry with almond, crisp fruit with rounded sweetness, and a gourmand profile with a measured sense of composure.
The striking part is how the fruit sits within the composition. Cherry water contributes freshness at the opening, while cherry gives the accord its central identity. Pistachio and almond bring a dry, nutty frame around the fruit. The base adds tonka bean, benzoin, and vanilla, lending the composition a plush amber warmth and a rounded sweetness. The result is polished rather than loud, with the contrast between fruit, nut, and warm base notes doing much of the work.
The evolution
Clelie combines the brightness of cherry water and the nutty character of pistachio with the fuller profile of cherry and almond. Tonka bean, benzoin, and vanilla add warm, ambery sweetness, while the heart contributes a softer, more rounded character to the composition. Together, the notes move between fresh fruit, dry nuttiness, and plush sweetness, creating a gourmand impression with enough contrast to remain composed. Vanilla is the clearest source of lasting sweetness within the listed notes.
Cultural impact
Clelie can be read as a modern interpretation of French gallantry through its balance of bright fruit, nuttiness, and warm sweetness. Cherry and cherry water bring a vivid fruit character, while pistachio and almond provide a composed nutty contrast. Tonka bean, benzoin, and vanilla add a plush ambery dimension. The result is a study in sweetness and contrast, with a polished sense of charm.
The House
Folia ParisFolia Paris is an independent French perfume house founded by Dahmane Ouafi and launched in February 2026. Based in Paris, the house builds its fragrances around stories drawn from nature, places, history and literature. Its debut collection includes La Pointe Courte, Amphitrite, Well of Love, Clelie, Anglet, Chambord and Par Plaisir, with La Pointe Courte presented as an Eau de Parfum. The brand has also been described as targeting younger consumers with an accessible approach to niche perfumery.
The Creator
Emna DoghriDoghri's signature style bridges two worlds: the heritage of fine French perfumery she absorbed at Cinquième Sens and the sensory abundance of her North African upbringing. She describes her own approach as modern with baroque touches, meaning she favors clean, legible structu…
