Chypre, 1916: Cyprus idea
Choose Chypre by the note, not by the bottle photo. “Cyprus idea” in 1916 titles that note, and 1917 is strength or time. Shop lighting is not lasting power. Read Chypre de Coty as dose and geometry, not a mood board — that is how Chypre is argued.
Chypre sits in the Earth group of this atlas. Wood and moss — dry timber, sandal, oud smoke, vetiver root and chypre. Bergamot, oakmoss and labdanum — the 1917 idea IFRA rewrote. The architecture survived the molecule. Concentration is oil in alcohol, not a quality score. EDT (about 5–15%) shows more top; EDP (about 15–20%) shows more heart and base. Houses vary; this is not a lab assay.
One or two sprays on skin or cloth — sternum or hair, not a cloud in a lift. Let it turn an hour before you add more. Autumn, tailored day. Summer heat can turn moss bitter and loud. Yes. Warm, moist skin amplifies sweet and spice; dry or cool skin can turn the same juice woody, soapy or short. Test on your skin, not only a blotter.
Oakmoss is IFRA-limited. Classic chypre and fougère bases were rewritten; modern “moss” is often a reconstruction. Ask a clinician about reactions — this is not medical advice. Any ethics or materials I should know? Read the materials chapter for the actual load. Niche and designer often share a family and disagree on dose.
On the blotter, keep 1916, “Cyprus idea,” and 1917. Without them Chypre blurs.1916
Figures to keep
- Year of the note
- 1916
- Figure kept
- 1917
- Scent
- Chypre
- Trial line
- Cyprus idea