This new addition to the La Collection Priv&eacute;e collection inspired by the iconic Saddle Bag is sophistication personified.

When we heard that Dior Parfums was introducing a new fragrance to La Collection Priv&eacute;e, we paid attention. When we discovered it was a leather scent created by Francis Kurkdjian, we listened even more closely. Leather fragrances are notoriously difficult to get right, often tipping into something too smoky, too sharp, or overly nostalgic. With Cuir Saddle, Dior takes a different approach. The result is a leather perfume that feels intimate, modern, and quietly confident.
Cuir Saddle is a permanent addition to Dior&rsquo;s La Collection Priv&eacute;e line and draws its inspiration from one of the Maison&rsquo;s most recognisable designs: the Saddle Bag. Rather than focusing on leather as a material alone, Kurkdjian looked to the shape, movement, and relationship the bag has with the body. The idea was simple yet precise. This is a leather fragrance designed to sit close to the skin, almost as if it becomes part of you.
From the first touch, Cuir Saddle feels familiar yet unexpected. The leather note is immediately present, but it is softened by smoky undertones and lifted by bright, floral facets. White flowers and deep woods weave through the composition, creating a scent that feels warm and enveloping rather than loud or imposing. It does not project aggressively. Instead, it lingers close, like a cocoon, giving the impression of warmth, softness, and quiet allure.

What makes Cuir Saddle stand out is how inviting the leather feels. Many leather fragrances lean heavily into darkness or sharpness, evoking saddleries, smoke, or the crisp smell of new leather. Here, the leather is smooth and supple. It feels lived-in, comforting, and almost tactile. There is a softness to it that makes it surprisingly easy to wear, even for those who usually shy away from leather scents.
When asked about the idea of Cuir Saddle as a &ldquo;second skin silhouette&rdquo;, Kurkdjian explained that everything began with the Saddle Bag&rsquo;s form. &ldquo;The shape of the Saddle bag is very organic and lies very close to the body. And this is why I imagined a scent that basically melts on skin and becomes part of yourself,&rdquo; he said. That concept translates clearly once the fragrance is worn. Rather than sitting on top of the skin, Cuir Saddle seems to merge with it, evolving gently over time.
Modernising the leather accord was central to this creation. Kurkdjian was keen to move away from traditional leather structures and give the fragrance a contemporary feel without relying on freshness. &ldquo;The idea of modernising &lsquo;Cuir Saddle&rsquo; is to get away from traditional accords and to infuse this new scent with a strong musky, clean woody note that basically brings alive and brings a kind of sparkle to the perfume without being fresh,&rdquo; he explained.
One of the most interesting choices was his decision to move away from ylang ylang, a flower often used in classic leather accords. &ldquo;Ylang ylang is a very classical scent and the idea was to switch from a very spicy, old school, classical flower note to something very sheer, delicate, almost undiscoverable,&rdquo; said Kurkdjian. Rather than a clearly identifiable floral note, the flowers in Cuir Saddle are more about texture than scent, adding a soft, abstract quality that enhances the leather rather than competing with it.

When it comes to who Cuir Saddle is for, Kurkdjian avoids assigning personalities or moods. His view is refreshingly straightforward. &ldquo;A perfume doesn&rsquo;t give personality to anyone. A perfume is an extension of what you want to convey yourself,&rdquo; he said. In his eyes, fragrance does not transform who you are. It accompanies you. It reflects something already there.
This philosophy mirrors the idea of true style in fashion. Just as truly chic people are not defined by trends, but by confidence and self-awareness, fragrance works best when it is chosen instinctively. &ldquo;You wear a perfume because you like it. You wear a perfume because it touches your soul even in an unspoken way,&rdquo; Kurkdjian added. Cuir Saddle feels very much aligned with this thinking. It does not try to impress. It invites you in quietly.
The Saddle Bag itself played a crucial role in shaping the fragrance, though not in the way one might expect. &ldquo;For me the uniqueness of the Saddle Bag is the shape, it&rsquo;s not about the leather,&rdquo; Kurkdjian said. Over the years, the bag has been reinterpreted in many materials, from leather to denim and fabric. What remains constant is its organic, body-hugging silhouette. That idea of form, closeness, and movement is what ultimately inspired a perfume that melts into the skin.

Cuir Saddle also speaks to the deep relationship between fashion and fragrance at Dior. As Kurkdjian pointed out, Dior is unique in having launched couture and perfume in the same year. In 1947, Christian Dior introduced his first couture collection, followed shortly after by Miss Dior. Since then, fashion and fragrance have remained closely intertwined within the House. Cuir Saddle feels like a natural continuation of that legacy, translating an iconic fashion shape into scent without being literal.
In the end, Cuir Saddle is not about making a statement. It is about presence. Warm, soft, and quietly sophisticated, it offers a modern interpretation of leather that feels personal and intuitive. Like the Saddle Bag itself, it is designed to be worn, lived with, and made your own.

Dior Cuir Saddle Explores a New Intimate Vision of Leather Fragrance

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