Brief: Cartier’s sleek new perfume evokes the panther

Cartier is fond of quoting the ancient writer Theophrastus, who wrote “The panther is of all the animals the only one that smells good naturally." Photo courtesy Cartier.

Cartier is fond of quoting the ancient writer Theophrastus, who wrote “The panther is of all the animals the only one that smells good naturally.” Photo courtesy Cartier.

BY LESLIE JORDAN CLARY

Cartier’s in-house perfumer Mathilde Laurent has created a new pillar fragrance called La Panthère, which the house describes as “feline floral.” Two years prior to launching the new perfume, Laurent compared the process of developing a Cartier fragrance to that of their jewelry.  In a 2012 interview she said both the perfumers and jewelers are committed to quality of ingredients over quantity. This trait can be seen in La Panthère, which has an elegant simplicity. Predominant aromas come from a combination of sandalwood and gardenia for a scent that is both floral and musky. Companion scents, including an Extrait and an Eau Légère, have also been released.