Chanel’s all-new Chance Eau Splendide is the dream summer fragrance you need to add to cart!

What could be more unforgettable than jet-setting to mon chéri Paris in early April and joining Chanel Beauty for the launch of Chance Eau de Splendide? I would say the fact that the new Chance perfume is the fifth addition to the iconic line-up—a number sacred to the world of Chanel. Developed by in-house perfumer-creator Olivier Polge, the latest creation is described as a fruity-floral fragrance that holds on to its captivating mystique and intricate notes. It embodies the adventurous trail of life; think chance encounters in a splendid style.

The first Chance perfume, Chance Eau, was created in 2003 by Jacques Polge, then in-house perfumer-creator. Over the years, the house introduced Chance Eau Fraiche in spirited green colour, Chance Eau Tendre in soft and tender pink, and Chance Eau Vive in fiery and bold orange. The purple-hued Eau Splendide’s addition is an euphoric extension to the brand’s audacious fragrance legacy. As Olivier Polge mentions in the press note, “The original idea behind Chance was a state of mind that we interpreted in very different styles. Each Chance fragrance is unique, but they all express the same state of mind. There is no common composition, but something along the lines of a feeling and an emotion that each fragrance expresses—something very lively and very direct.”

Coming to the immersive launch experience, the day prompted us to take our chance as we dabbled in a set of exciting games. Be it revealing the key ingredients of Eau Splendide, hidden notes of bold affirmations to stay spirited, or trying our hands at fun mazes to rolling the dice and finally, the big reveal with the much-awaited whiff of the new fragrance.

For someone like me who has a peculiar nose with an inclination ranging from fresh to woody accords, Chance packs a surprise punch and marvels at offering paradoxes—sprightly yet rooted, sparkling yet rigorous. Described as a fruity-floral fragrance, the top note of red raspberry reveals crispness balanced by the elegance of geranium, partly grown in the Chanel fields in Grasse. And if you think that’s sparkling enough, wait for the base note to hit off. Cedar joins white musk to turn things around and prolong tenacity to release vibrant woody accords with a sophisticated hint of powdery iris. The purple-hued juice adds to its reputation of magic and lightness, laced with mystery and nobility.

Staying true to the brand’s reputation of finding a radiant face who truly embodies the product and an unforgettable campaign to unlock refined artistic expression, Chanel announced Angèle, the Belgian singer-songwriter, as the face of Chance Eau Splendide. The pop phenomenon has become one of the most influential faces in the contemporary music scene, and has collaborated with singer Dua Lipa and rapper Damso. She also performed at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games last year. Angèle has maintained a close relationship with the brand since 2019 and the release of her first album, Brol. It was a delight to see her perform the track ‘A Little More’, specially composed for the Chance campaign, at the launch party in Paris. 

The campaign film, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, follows Angèle across a chamber of mysteries through a hall of mirrors as she attempts to seize her chance, finding her way through the kaleidoscope of lights and illusions mimicking life.

There’s no better way to describe a perfume than to evoke a mood or memory. Let's say Eau Splendide is reminiscent of spring in Paris, with a fair share of crisp air and sun shining brightly—a testament to high spirits beaming with optimism and hope for the year ahead.

All images: Chanel