The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Dorothee Piot took Cabochard's leather signature and approached it in an unexpected way. The original, released in 1959, carried a structured, commanding presence that became iconic for its bold character. Cherie takes that same leather spine and presents it in something entirely different. Praline brings a warm, almost nutty sweetness that wraps around the leather without overwhelming it. This interplay creates an impression of confidence that feels natural rather than performed, inviting the wearer into a more intimate conversation with the fragrance.
In Cabochard Cherie, orange blossom absolute gives the composition its sweetness, while narcissus absolute adds a powdery, slightly green complexity. Freesia contributes its own crisp character, and together these three florals maintain a presence that remains in conversation with the leather rather than overtaking it. The base anchors everything with patchouli and earth, with leather as the signature note. Praline adds a toasted, gourmand warmth that wraps around the leather's edges, creating a softer impression in the final hours of wear.
The evolution
Pear and bergamot arrive together, bright and crisp. The citrus doesn't linger, serving instead to open the composition and set the stage. Then the basil arrives with a quick green bite that adds sharpness and immediacy. Around thirty minutes in, the leather announces itself as the defining element. But something's different here, as the florals follow closely, with orange blossom and freesia blooming against the leather's grain. The overall effect becomes powdery and warm, unexpectedly soft. For the next few hours, leather and florals share the stage in an intricate balance. Then the praline steps in, and by the final act, patchouli and praline have settled around the leather like a warm wrap, sweet, toasted, intimate. The drydown offers softness where the opening was sharp, and warmth where the heart remained more complex.
Cultural impact
Cabochard Cherie arrived in 2019 as a flanker to the 1959 original, bringing the leather house code into a new context. The leather-floral-gourmand composition combines praline as a mediating element, creating an unexpected harmony between sweet and animalic notes. This approach maintains the Cabochard signature while offering a different character, giving the fragrance a distinct place within the Grès lineup for those seeking something with real personality.
The House
GrèsGrès is a French perfume house that grew out of the legendary couture atelier of Madame Grès. Founded in 1942 on Rue de la Paix, the brand translates the designer’s love of draped silhouettes into olfactory compositions that balance classic French ingredients with a restrained modernity. Over the decades the house has released more than a dozen fragrances, each bearing the same quiet confidence that defined the founder’s fashion legacy. Today Grès remains a niche label that appeals to collectors who value heritage, subtle elegance and a scent’s ability to tell a story without shouting.
The Creator
Dorothee PiotDorothée favors chypre frameworks, pairing bright citrus top notes with mossy or woody hearts and a grounding base of amber or patchouli. She frequently incorporates green accords—fresh cut grass, crushed leaves—to add vitality.













































