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.
The birth of Cuir de Russie
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 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
When Le Jardin Retrouvé was revived in 2017, Michel Gutsatz and his wife Clara knew that Cuir de Russie had to be a part of the collection. This was a perfume that was very personal to Yuri: from young Russian boy to world class perfumer, it encapsulates the story of his life more than any other fragrance that he made.
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, circa 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...