L'Officiel Nose: Julien Pruvost of Cire Trudon
Julien Pruvost has helped to keep a nearly 380-year-old brand thriving in the 21st century. For the last decade, he has been working with Cire Trudon, the heritage French candlemaker founded in 1643, to bring its story to a new generation in innovative ways. In his time there, he has attracted attention through pleasant “stink bombs,” a gender-neutral perfume line, and modern twists on the brand’s signature waxy fragrance vessels. Through it all, the nose has shown dedication to the process, as he takes interest in seeing products in development and finds it important to perfectly match the wick to each fragrance. The result is a line of candles (among other products) whose creatively reinvigorated heritage is just as striking as their ability to boost a cozy evening in.
The newest addition to Cire Trudon’s well-established family is SALTA, a candle created as part of the brand’s Les Belles Matières collection. While the line’s other creations encapsulate the essences of Calabria, New Caledonia, India, and the Côte d’Azur, the new scent transports those nearby to South America’s grapefruit plantations. By mixing the citrus element with verbena and hyacinth, SALTA is a reminder of the fruit’s vibrant nature and reputation as a symbol of prosperity and fertility. The candle seems set to brighten anyone’s day, so Pruvost discussed his creation’s Argentinian heritage and favorite way to sip an aperitif.
If SALTA was the star of its own movie, which actor would play the starring role?
We do not have one initially in mind for SALTA but if I had to name one, perhaps Mia Maesto or Bérénice Bejo.
What color(s) does your fragrance smell like?
Bright citrus shades of grapefruit, violet shades of verbena, and mixed pastels of hyacinth.
Which city/place in the world does your fragrance encapsulate best?
Salta, Argentina.
If you had to place your fragrance in an iconic decade past, which one would it be?
Since the SALTA candle is inspired by Salta, Argentina -1592 is an iconic year as the Spanish conquistador Hernando de Lerma founded the settlement.
What item from your wardrobe would you compare your scent to?
A white T-shirt, fresh out of the laundry.
What genre of music do you think your fragrance most aligns with and why?
Tango music as a tribute to Argentina.
If your fragrance had a night out on the town, what drink would it order at the bar?
When in Argentina, I recommend an aperitif served with soda water and grapefruit.
If you were to relate your new scent to a book, what would it be? Why?
Since SALTA is not a mainstream destination, I would recommend Secondary Cities of Argentina: The Social History of Corrientes, Salta and Mendoze, 1850-1910.
If your new candle had a soundtrack, what sounds would play once you light it?
An entire string section of an orchestra.
If it wasn’t called SALTA, what would it be called?
It can only be SALTA.
