Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Eau de Parfum · Unisex · 2015
Crystalline amber-saffron juggernaut, sweet-woody and instantly recognizable
amber · sweet · woody · warm spicy · floral · resinous
Top (first impression): Saffron · Jasmine
Heart (the character): Amberwood · Ambergris
Base (the dry-down): Fir Resin · Cedar
Season: fall, winter, spring, summer · Occasion: date night, night out, special occasion, everyday
Longevity: very long (10-12h) · Sillage: very strong
Baccarat Rouge 540 was created by Francis Kurkdjian and launched in 2015, originally as a limited-edition fragrance celebrating the 250th anniversary of French crystal maker Baccarat before joining MFK's permanent line. The '540' references the precise temperature and the signature red color produced in Baccarat's crystal furnaces. Built around a luminous saffron, jasmine and amberwood accord, it became a cultural phenomenon through social media and celebrity association in the late 2010s, spawning countless dupes and inspired-by releases. It is now sold in EDP, Extrait and body-product forms and is among the best-known niche fragrances in the world. Few modern scents have shaped mainstream taste as broadly.
A radiant, jammy saffron-and-amberwood signature that is sweet, airy and astonishingly tenacious, projecting for hours off skin and fabric. Polarizing for its ubiquity, but undeniably one of the most influential scents of the modern era.
Nose: Francis Kurkdjian
MFK Oud Satin Mood · Kilian Love Don't Be Shy · Initio Oud for Greatness · Mancera Roses Vanille