Herve Bordeau's scented love affair with Sri Lanka

When French parfumeur Herve Bourdeau speaks about Sri Lanka, his eye.

- BY ZANITA CAREEM

Preethi Fernando, Herve Bordeu and his spouse in Colombo recently

This time when he landed in Colombo he brought a touch of Parisian artistry to the Indian Ocean. Known in fragrant circles, for his deep love of cinema and his signature creations with leading perfume houses in Grasse in France, he was inspired by Bollywood icons Bordeau's brief stay in Sri Lanka was an aromatic interlude that blended art, nostalgia, and tr launch, inspired by Bollywood legend Zeenat Aman" that was held in Colombo.

The launch was held at Galadari Hotel a celebration of glamour as it was of cultural connection. "Sri Lanka feels like a living perfume," he said with a smile. "The air is here, the cinnamon, the sea, the tea - its a fragrance in itself"

Bourdeau's fascination with India and Sri Lanka and its cinematic icons began long before this moment.

As a young perfumer in France, he was captivated by the charisma and beauty of 1970's Bollywood stars. He launched many fragrances with Zeenat Aman in Sri Lanka, Amitabh Bachchan in Dubai, Shah Rukh Khan and Raveena Tandon in Mumbai.

"Bollywood celebrates emotion and individuality" he says. I wanted to capture the spirit through fragrance - a blend of nostalgia and modern sensuality.