Shalimar by Shourouk Rahiem, the myth shines through
The emblematic bottle of Shalimar perfume, masterpiece of the House of Guerlain, is reinvented thanks to the sparkling expertise of Shourouk Rhaiem on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.
In 2025, Shalimar celebrates a century of olfactory history, and to mark this exceptional date, Guerlain has teamed up with Tunisian designer Shourouk Rhaiem. Known for her sparkling jewelry and daring collaborations, Shourouk gives the Flacon aux Abeilles, designed in 1853, a sparkling new life. This Métier d’Art limited edition sublimates the iconic bottle with rhinestones and meticulous details.
Goldsmith work for a unique piece
Each bottle, produced in a limited edition of 58, takes two weeks to complete. The bottles are first hand-painted, then adorned with thousands of Swarovski crystals, applied one by one with a toothpick. This painstaking patience is the fruit of more than two and a half years of design. Shourouk, inspired by her Tunisian origins and the opulent 1980s, likens her process to that of a painter manipulating a palette of pigments.
To honor the original Raymond Guerlain cork, a deep blue sapphire, the designer used ten shades of crystal, reproducing the unique brilliance of the precious stone. This perfect marriage of tradition and modernity illustrates Guerlain’s avant-garde spirit.
Shalimar: a perfume born of chance
The story of Shalimar began in 1921, when Jacques Guerlain experimented with a synthetic molecule: ethylvanillin. By mixing this synthetic vanilla with the fragrance Jicky, he obtained an unexpected result, which would become Shalimar. Officially launched in 1925, this fragrance with its oriental notes, dominated by bergamot, iris and vanilla, redefined the standards of perfumery.
The name Shalimar, meaning “temple of love” in Sanskrit, was inspired by the legendary love affair between Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. A passion immortalized by the gardens of Shalimar and the Taj Mahal. This romantic tale is echoed in the bottle, whose curves evoke the basins of the legendary gardens.
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