The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
The name says it all. Avant et Après, what comes before, what comes after. The quiet hours in between. The moment jasmine and ylang-ylang take over while vanilla and benzoin settle into warm skin. Isabey, the French house founded in 1924, has always understood that a fragrance isn't just an opening. It's a whole arc. This one captures the transition from bright florals into something that lingers close, intimate, and warm enough to remember the next morning.
Marie Schnirer built this around tropical florals that breathe without overwhelming. Jasmine and ylang-ylang aren't trying to fill a room, they're working close to the skin. The ambroxan keeps the sweetness honest, almost mineral. Benzoin adds warmth without heaviness. It's tropical without acting like a beach cliché. The vanilla and musk base anchors everything that came before, making sure the transition feels intentional rather than accidental.
The evolution
The opening is bright. Freesia sparks first, then frangipani brings the warmth. It doesn't shout. Within minutes, jasmine sambac takes over, the lush, heady heart of this fragrance. Ylang-ylang and monoi oil layer in, tropical creaminess that stays close. The drydown is where it earns its name. Three hours in, a warm amber foundation emerges. Vanilla and benzoin wrap around the floral heart. Ambroxan and musk leave a soft, intimate trail. This is the part that stays. The next morning, there's still something warm on the skin.
Cultural impact
Avant et Après appeals to those who want tropical florals without the expected beach clichés. Jasmine and ylang-ylang give it lush warmth. Vanilla and benzoin provide the embrace. It's tropical but refined, built for evening rather than a poolside afternoon. Isabey released this in 2022 as part of their Art Deco heritage, positioning it for wearers who appreciate tropical florals with sophistication rather than casual abandon.
