Recently, Maison Francis Kurkdjian is elevating its most iconic scent with the launch of Baccarat Rouge 540 Édition Millésime, a $28,000 ultra-luxury special edition. Debuting in mid-September, the fragrance underscores the maison’s place at the pinnacle of olfactory artistry while joining a growing list of LVMH labels introducing perfumes at prices once reserved for fine jewelry and couture.
Limited to 540 pieces released in 54-product batches over the next decade, the edition reimagines the best-selling Baccarat Rouge 540. Fred Rawyler, designer of the original bottle, has returned to craft a red crystal vessel crowned with a 24-carat-gold cap and innovative spray function.
“This is about following a creative vision, not a client brief,” said perfumer and artistic director Francis Kurkdjian, marking the maison’s first-ever “exceptional piece.” Beyond the fragrance, ownership includes membership in Les amis du Rouge, an exclusive club offering up to five annual refills, private brand experiences, masterclasses with Kurkdjian, curated dinners, opera shows, and even a visit to his upcoming Palais de Tokyo exhibition.
Following in the footsteps of Guerlain’s storied high-jewelry perfumes and rival launches like Bulgari’s $235,000 Opera Prima and Dior’s $75,000 J’adore L’or Prestige Edition, Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s latest creation reflects the surging demand for fragrance as an art form and collectible luxury.
