Drawing from a career rich with groundbreaking achievements, Veronique Gabai, a globally celebrated perfume and beauty expert, has once again left her indelible mark on the fragrance world. Known for her transformative work with iconic brands like Giorgio Armani and Guerlain, and for restructuring the fragrance portfolio at Estée Lauder Companies, she brings unparalleled expertise to her creations. Her latest perfume, Délices des bois, winner of the Fragrance Foundation’s “Best Indie Fragrance of 2025,” is the culmination of her vast experience, offering a fragrance that is both a testament to her legacy and a unique sensory experience. Take a peek behind the inspirations of this fig-centric perfume.
WRITTEN BY: IZABELA CANELLE
I used to pick figs off the fig tree in my garden as a kid. Come August, we would long for that treat. My father would hold the ladder, and I would pick them up. There is a white and glossy sap coming from the stems. a bit sticky, like a sweet milk…It is a moment full of joy, wonder, and a sense of freedom.
Created with principal perfumer Amandine Clerc Marie, the fragrance invites you to embark on a sensory journey that both exudes depth and delicious sweetness in perfect harmony.
We have woven through jasmine, lemon, and patchouli, which all add the luminosity and the sensuality that all my fragrances carry.
That milky sap echoes the creaminess of the sandalwood. Just divine.
I was a bit shy about using Sandalwood for a long time, as sandalwood has been scarce and in danger. With other sources having been cultivated in a more sustainable way, I decided it was time to take a dive into that pleasure.
Délices des bois is my take on the scent of fig, the fruit of the Mediterranean, associated with sandalwood and jasmine for a creamy, fluid, and gourmand scent that speaks of freedom and sensuality.
