1977: Cuir de Russie captures a long-held childhood recollection for perfumer Yuri Gutsatz. It was inspired by the fond memory of his father's leather boots and strap back in St. Petersburg before Yuri had to flee the country as a child never to see his father again. Cuir de Russie became his talisman and his signature scent, as it still is for his son, Michel. This legendary leather was used for the shoes of Diaghilev's ballet troupe. Many perfume houses have their own version of Russian Leather, but none quite like that of Le Jardin Retrouvé, with its authentic Russian roots.
Cuir de russie
did you say Cuir de russie?
Cuir de Russie is an Eau de Parfum with a subtle fragrance of violet and leather mixed with precious resins. It is a memento of the Slavic origins of Yuri Gutsatz, founder of Jardin Retrouvé. He wanted this scent to recreate a child's memory, that of his father's leather boots. This delicate and evocative fragrance will make you discover a new facet of Russian Leather.
Scientific research conducted over several years in collaboration with Givaudan, shows this Eau de Parfum promotes quality sleep.
Cuir de Russie was created by Yuri Gutsatz in 1977.
When a Fragrance is your last memory
“Imagine it’s 1924 and you are 10 years old, you have to flee from your country - Russia - and your Dad has to stay behind to protect your family’s escape. For years, you’re separated and no communication is possible. You only have this endearing memory to cling to: every evening your Dad would come home from the army and hug you, your nose pressed on his leather harness.
Now you’re 28 and you learn your Dad died during the siege of your hometown. You’re heartbroken but life has to go on. You find peace with your own family, you become a Perfumer and you work for 30 years in a big composition house.
When you are 61, you decide to break free, to found your own Perfume house, Le Jardin Retrouvé (The Garden Rediscovered). The first fragrance you work on is this Memory of your Father: you call it Cuir de Russie. A note of Violet with leather accords as sweet and pure as your Dad’s embrace.”
Yuri wore Cuir de Russie for the remainder of his life, Michel, his son is still wearing it today.
If you were wondering why Cuir De Russie is the only fragrance that doesn't wear the name of a garden, this is because I, Clara Feder, Yuri’s daughter in law, didn’t have the heart to change its name when we revived the House.
This legendary leather was used for the shoes of Diaghilev's ballet troupe. Many perfume houses have their own version of Russian Leather, but none quite like that of Le Jardin Retrouvé, with its authentic Russian roots.
"Cuir de Russie has a soft, warm, sparkling violet and peppery opening. It feels like it dances on the skin with its warmth, yet cool embrace. There’s so much movement to the perfume as it whirls and twirls to the delight of my nose."
THE SCENTED HOUND PERFUME BLOG
Since 2017, Cuir de Russie has become a firm customer favourite, enjoying rave reviews from around the world. Praised by men and woman alike, this exceptional eau de parfum allows gentle violets to merge with leather, juniper wood, and the warmth of cinnamon. When Le Jardin Retrouvé introduced a candle range in 2018 and scented stems one just after. Cuir de Russie was selected as one of the quartet of fragrances. Customer demand would accept nothing less!
The intensely personal and nostalgic origins of Cuir de Russie, coupled with the timeless appeal of a Russian leather fragrance, made it an invaluable addition to the Le Jardin Retrouvé collection. It has since become the Le Jardin Retrouvé flagship fragrance and a bestseller, cementing Yuri's status as a master of his craft.
"It's a breathtaking fragrance. You can smell quality and love in this. It's a fantastic old-school leather with a twist thanks to the juniper instead of birch. I get a bit of spice from the cinnamon and there are floral and green notes as well that remind you of a scented leather glove or boot. This is one that you want a bottle of especially if you appreciate history and French perfumery."
DOUGLAS G, VERIFIED BUYER
Clara Feder's inspired text on Cuir de Russie: Ballets Russes, Paris, 1924
The opera hall is packed. Diaghilev is presenting his Ballets Russes. Flamboyant Parisians and you are seated in the front row. Wide-eyed, you watch Nijinsky and his soft leather boots. He leaps, he spins, he fills the stage with the bewitching scent of ylang-ylang, violet, and cinnamon enveloping a harmony of cade wood and styrax. You wish that this moment could last forever...