The Ourika Collective Gardens, endless summer on the skin

A journey into the heart of the Ourika Collective Gardens, a land of inspiration and the source of exceptional ingredients for the new Libre L’Eau Nue fragrance. Conceived by master perfumers Carlos Benaïm and Anne Flipo, this Yves Saint Laurent Beauté fragrance blends green mandarin, dazzling bergamot, and orange blossom. Innovative, its oil-in-water formulation technology enhances the skin under the Mediterranean sun.

The Ourika Collective Garden, a realm of wonder

Nestled at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, spanning 20,000 m², this collective garden, created in 2014, is cultivated by a women’s cooperative. A true living laboratory, the place is entirely dedicated to inspiration, creation, and preservation, following the rhythms of nature and anchored in regenerative and organic practices. Each morning, the women pick flowers, fruits, and plants before sorting and drying them. The naturally seasonal cultivation is organized in a permanent cycle: calendula in spring, orange blossom between February and March, saffron in autumn, and geranium all year round. It is a lesson in patience, a continuous link between the earth and beauty.

When the collective becomes meaningful

Since its creation, the collective garden project has relied on strong partnerships with local communities. The women are committed guardians of the land who gain autonomy and a sustainable income with the support of Agrisud*. More than 300 species are cultivated there: iris, lemon trees, pomegranate trees, and plants with powerful virtues, all of which are integrated into YSL Beauty products. The Libre L’Eau Nue fragrance is its solar expression: two extracts, sourced from the gardens, convey the radiance and softness of freshly picked orange blossom. Another emblematic ingredient, saffron, guided the French perfumer’s teams to this valley.

A reflection of sustainable luxury

Rooted in a social responsibility program, Change the Rules, Change the Future, the Ourika Collective Gardens embody YSL Beauty’s commitments: reducing environmental impact, restoring biodiversity, and supporting women. Combining regenerative cultivation, UEBT** certification, and a strong social impact, this highlights a responsible luxury model, where nature, beauty, and femininity converge.

Gardens of orange blossoms to be shared with everyone

Master perfumers at IFF*, Carlos Benaïm and Anne Flipo, combine emotion, precision, and poetry. Their duo embodies the perfect balance between art, technique, and sensitivity. Read on for a joint interview about the development of this intense fragrance, a true scientific feat.

What is your first olfactory memory?

C.B: My grandfather’s snuff, perfumed with violet by my father. And more broadly, the smells of my childhood in Tangier: orange blossom, leather, honey, spices—an inexhaustible source of inspiration. A.F: My childhood in Aisne (France): the family garden, my father’s sugar factory, and the scent of orange blossoms from my childhood friend’s garden.

What is your creative process?

C.B: I let my mind wander in search of associations of ideas and memories. An olfactory image emerges, then I look for the blend of ingredients that will translate it. A.F: I often start with an emotion, a feeling. I like to let my ideas ripen in an almost meditative calm.

What inspires you about each other?

C.B: The complementarity of expertise, the ability to see differently and enrich the creation. Sharing, trust, and respect for the original idea are essential. A.F: I admire Carlos’ sensitivity, his love for raw materials, and his ability to convey emotion. Our shared passion for orange blossom creates a beautiful creative rapport.

What is your olfactory signature?

C.B: My world blends scent, flavor, and memory. I like clarity and power.
A.F: I seek balance, light, and sensuality. I love white flowers, freshness, and bright notes that bring happiness.

What were your creative challenges?

C.B: Our main challenge was to preserve the fragrance’s power in an alcohol-free formula, with a precise balance between orange blossom and citrus.

How could someone visualise Libre L’Eau Nue?

A.F: Sun-warmed skin in the middle of summer. A scent of freedom, sensuality, and pleasure.

What would you like people to remember about this fragrance?

A.F: A feel-good fragrance, sun-drenched, luminous, and generous.

By Sophia Mikou

ALBERT OIKNINE : THE MOROCCAN CAFTAN IS BOTH TIMELESS AND RESOLUTELY CONTEMPORARY

Art & lifestyle

The Ourika Collective Gardens, endless summer on the skin

The Ourika Collective Garden, a realm of wonder

When the collective becomes meaningful

A reflection of sustainable luxury

Gardens of orange blossoms to be shared with everyone

What is your first olfactory memory?

What is your creative process?

What inspires you about each other?

What is your olfactory signature?

What were your creative challenges?

How could someone visualise Libre L’Eau Nue?

What would you like people to remember about this fragrance?

By Sophia Mikou

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