Francis Kurkdjian, Creation Director for Parfums Christian Dior, has long been recognised as one of the most influential figures in perfumery, shaping olfactory culture much as designers shape fashion.

However, his latest project may be his most ambitious yet: capturing the spirit of one of the maison’s most recognisable items — the Saddle bag — in fragrance form.

Unveiled last week during an intimate dinner in Dubai, Dior’s Cuir Saddle, the newest fragrance from La Collection Privée, reimagines leather in a new and unexpected way. While the scent of leather traditionally tends to be smoky, musky, or even animalic, his newest creation for Dior captures this essence in a light and modern approach.

The result is a velvety suede fragrance that combines subtle leather and floral tones. It feels soft yet clean, mirroring the elegance and timelessness of the bag itself.

The launch proves that fashion and fragrance may not be as different as we think. After all, a leather bag carries a scent as much as a perfume has an identity. And with Cuir Saddle, Dior has done exactly that, striking the perfect balance between something familiar and something entirely new.