MY EARLIEST memory of Annick Goutal dates back to May 1985 when its first Asia Pacific standalone boutique opened in Figgins Diorama, Collins Street in Melbourne.

I joined throngs of people who waited on the opening day to sample the perfumes of this new star of the French perfume industry.

On entering the boutique that cold winter morning, what awaited me was like nothing I had seen or smelt before.

The small boutique, veiled with sheer organza curtains, had an air of mystery with its dark grey interior and gold-coloured fittings.

Only one: Hidayah and Lim opening the the Annick Goutal boutique at the Bangsar Shopping Centre, the only standalone boutique in South-East Asia.

There were mirrored walls and a great big chandelier in one corner that made the boutique look even bigger than it actually was.

Under the chandelier stood big gold urns. Customer’s perfumes were decantered from these into dainty ornate butterfly-topped bottles. The smell of these new perfumes was totally intoxicating.

I was hooked the first time I smelt the unisex perfume Eau d’Hadrien, which now has a cult following.

This fresh-smelling citrus scent is favoured by Tom Cruise, Madonna, Leonardo DiCaprio and many Hollywood celebrities.

Recently, almost 25 years later, I was privileged to attend another Annick Goutal boutique opening, this time at Bangsar Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur. This is the only standalone boutique in South-East Asia.

Designed by Annick Goutal’s daughter Camille, this is a replica of the latest Parisian boutique in Rue Victor Hugo, and is evocative of a French boudoir.

Commemorative collectible: The limited edition Annick Goutal toiletry bag made from songket

It carries the entire range of perfumes: 26 for women and 10 for men. Still following Annick’s original philosophy, each unique perfume represents a moment of happiness, a treasured emotion, or a powerful memory connected to a significant event or even a loved one.

Toh Puan Seri Hidayah Wan Ismail was the guest of honour and opened the boutique.

She also launched a special edition songket toiletry bag designed by Poppy of Bagatelle, in collaboration with Annick Goutal and Yayasan Tuanku Nur Zahirah.

These bags come in brown and cream and are woven in the traditional songket style, with the signature Annick Goutal butterfly motif in gold.

The bags contain a selection of new products from the Un Matin D’Orage range

Ken Lim, managing director of Esplanade Avenue Sdn Bhd, the distributor of Annick Goutal in Malaysia, said the proceeds from the sale of the 200 bag sets would go to Yayasan Tuanku Nur Zahirah to help revive the songket industry and make it more contemporary.

After the store was officially opened, models presented a new range of Bagatelle evening bags that incorporated elements of sumptuous songket fabric by Yayasan Tuanku Nur Zahirah under the Royal Terengganu Songket brand. These are available from the Annick Goutal boutique.

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