“At the mouth of the Ngoye live the Borindi, who have known since the twilight of the gods the great principle of harmony with Mother Nature: not taking more from her than necessary, conserving for tomorrow. They understand the future of humanity and, in the shade of the niaouli tree and the blooming jacarandas, they guide our first steps in this new direction for Etat Libre d'Orange.

There is a jumble of poetry, of romantic and titanic science fiction that arises from the slow, sure and inevitable coming and going of wastewater in the industrial cycle. We want to make this perfume a messenger, at the service not only of the survival of the species that results from seduction, but above all at the service of the planet where our own miasmas must reflect beauty.

We believe that a new post-religious “jihad” is coming, coming from an often disillusioned and polluting West, and echoing a new animist era. Those who have committed crimes against the environment are repenting and democracies are recognizing nature as the sacred focus, meant to be shared. The beliefs of primitive and ancient tribes are back and demand our complete loyalty. This perfume will carry a universal message: the dirty must reflect the beautiful, “…and cleanse me of the stains of bluish wine and the splashes of vomit, taking me rudder and anchor.” (Arthur Rimbaud, The Drunken Ship).

It is a counter-revolution for Etat Libre d'Orange, still noisy and disruptive, but finally functional.

It is a job in the service of Mother Nature, to offer her a bouquet of forgiveness and to let everyone know, loud and fast, that soon it will be too late.

Dear world: Don't throw anything away because at the bottom of our garbage lies the fermented distillate of a great love. Garbage trucks contain flowers that can still bleed and peels that can still give. Noxious exhales have honey notes that can merge with earth. And there are so many floating concretions, the garbage that is thrown into the sea, and the natural waste, the ambergris, the mystical symbols, the attitudes of primitive tribes, that now must be reprocessed.

To paraphrase and distort Alan Paton: Weep, my beloved planet, for the unborn child; Let him not love the earth too much, because it is escaping.

So before it's too late, let's pray to the god of waste, our dear lord of leftovers.

End of the sermon. This is a messianic fragrance (in natural spray, of course).

—Étienne de Swardt, created by Etat Libre D'Orange

Top notes: Recycled apple essence, Recycled bitter orange, Recycled green mandarin.
Heart notes: Recycled Rose Absolute, Iso E Super, Recycled Gariguette Strawberry.
Base notes: Recycled Atlas Cedar Wood, Recycled Sandalore (sandalwood), Recycled Akigalawood.”