Let’s Pretend, the new État Libre d’Orange fragrance that plays with appearances

With Let’s Pretend, the Parisian fragrance house celebrates 20 years of olfactory freedom with a creation that plays with appearances. A fragrance like a mask, to be worn according to mood.

A Parisian house vacant for 20 years

Founded in 2006 by Étienne de Swardt, État Libre d’Orange has established itself as a distinctive voice in contemporary perfumery. Here, convention has never really had a place. Each creation tells a story, often daring, sometimes disconcerting, always embodied.

As the company approaches its 20th anniversary in 2026, it confirms its taste for strong opinions. It claims an independent, creative, almost literary perfumery, where fragrance becomes a language. A way of defining oneself, or on the contrary, reinventing oneself.

Let’s Pretend, or the art of reinventing ourselves

Let’s Pretend begins with a simple idea: what if perfume were an invisible costume ? A way of taking on a role, playing with one’s identity, for a day or an evening.
Inspired by this notion of staging, the fragrance invites us to “act as if”. It evokes those moments when we decide to be someone else, or perhaps simply a more assertive version of ourselves. A very Parisian vision, in the end, where style is an attitude as much as an appearance.

An unexpectedly faceted composition

Created by perfumer Nisrine Grillie, Let’s Pretend is a fragrance of contrasts. The opening is lively, almost electric: luminous mandarin, vibrant pink berry, intriguing hint of saffron.
Then the fragrance softens. Peach brings a velvety texture, jasmine a discreet sensuality. Finally, precious woods, styrax and benzoin anchor the fragrance in an enveloping, almost addictive warmth.
The result? A spicy-fruity fragrance that moves with the hours. A signature that never quite settles.

An object in its own right

As is often the case with État Libre d’Orange, the bottle doesn’t just look good. It tells a story. The label plays with reflections, almost like a mirror. Depending on the angle, it reveals the house’s emblematic cockade.
The metal case extends this idea of transformation. Silhouettes are drawn, distorted and disappear. You’re already in the game, even before you’ve sprayed the perfume.
With Let’s Pretend, État Libre d’Orange signs a creation true to its DNA: free, daring and profoundly Parisian. An invitation to take the stage, without ever taking yourself too seriously.

📍 Practical info
État Libre d’Orange
69 Rue des Archives, 75003 Paris
80 Rue des Saints-Pères, 75007 Paris
50 ml : 105 €
100 ml : 160 €
Available on : etatlibredorange.com

You might also like to read Ascent , a new fragrance for lovers of stylish scents…

• Beauté
• paris