Words by Marie-Pauline Cesari

2023 is a year of celebrations for Paco Rabanne… the 1 Million and Lady Million fragrances are being honored, celebrating their 15th and 13th anniversaries respectively. An opportunity for the brand to explore the limits of its creation and its avant-garde vision of masculinity and femininity.

FOR HIM

15 years ago, Paco Rabanne launched 1 million, a fragrance that has travelled through time and generations to become an uncontested icon. This year, Paco Rabanne is reinventing its classic fragrance: 1 million Royal Parfum. This version defies convention and pushes back the boundaries of masculinity, embodying a free, daring man who fears nothing.

Quentin Bisch and Christopher Raynaud made the creation of this new fragrance possible and contributed to the explosive development of the juice’s scents. The focus was on lavender, to transcend the senses and create a magnetic scent, with hints of Patchouli.

‘Within 1 Million Royal, there’s an overdose of French lavender oil OrpurTM Lavandin Abrialis oil OrpurTM and clary sage oil OrpurTM. This aromatic part infuses a powerful naturalness reinforced by a violet and patchouli previously absent from 1 Million. The spicy note has also evolved from nutmeg to a trio of exceptional natural black peppers. Then we rewrote 1 Million’s iconic amber woody scent with more modern woods and sustainable AmbrofixTM made from sugar cane.’ 

Quentin Bisch & Christopher Raynaud

Inspired by the house’s original fragrance, 1 million, 1 million Royal illustrates the avant- garde spirit of the house, which never ceases to amaze us by pushing back the boundaries in each new version. This audacity is embodied by the bottle, which by its original shape, is reinvented in a royal way thanks to a breathtaking touch of red.

And there’s no one better than Joey Bada$$ to personify this confidence and renewal. Rapper, singer and actor, this multi-talented artist is the perfect ambassador for the liberated masculinity and the bold new era of 1 million Royal.

FOR HER

For the 12th anniversary of Lady Million, Paco Rabbane has reinvented the spirit of femininity and freedom in a new fragrance: Lady Million Royal.

Conceived by world-renowned noses Anne Flipo and Domitille Michalon-Bertier, this new scent, with its juicy pomegranate and floral bouquet, embodies pure pleasure and ultra- sensuality. The Lady Million Royal is the mistress of her own destiny, and she embraces her femininity with pride.

‘It was important to keep the olfactive DNA of Lady Million with a strong white flower bouquet and addictive woods. In Royal, the floral bouquet is made of jasmine sambac, tuberose and orange blossom for an enveloping and addictive effect. To reinterpret the iconic woody side of the fragrance, we used a unique molecule created by IFF’s R&D called Cashmeran. It evokes the velvety feel of cashmere and is woody, ambery, and musky for sophisticated and sensual facet that goes perfectly with patchouli and musk.’

– Anne Flipo

Lady million royal reflects the evolution of the house and its innovative spirit, while respecting its bloodline and powerful heritage. This transformation is embodied in a reinvented bottle, which retains its diamond shape, but features a dazzling red to illustrate the power and audacity of the fragrance.

This new scent is mirrored by its ambassadress. Just 20 years old, Simona Kust has carved out a place for herself in the modelling industry. Just as the values of this fragrance reflect, the new muse is powerful, glamorous and lives by her own rules.

‘Being Lady Million is the biggest honor. It teaches me how to carry myself; bravely and confidently. Especially in moments when I feel shy or experience impostor syndrome. It also teaches me to embrace my femininity. I always adored the almost mythological image of a lady, a woman who runs with the wolves.’ 

Simona Kust

In line with Paco Rabbane’s ongoing development, these twos new fragrances are also a commitment to the environment. Both juices are vegan and made from 79% plant-based ingredients. A fragrance that every free-spirited will want to wear.