Take a Chance on Me: Chanel’s new Chance Eau Splendide

The Chance family has a radiant new addition. Chanel unveils its fifth olfactory chapter in the iconic Chance collection — a line long whispered to charm its wearers with a touch of serendipity. Crafted by in-house perfumer Olivier Polge, Chance Eau Splendide is a luminous composition that redefines modern elegance. Here, Polge reveals the inspiration behind the scent and the notes that make this new creation utterly unforgettable.

“The original idea behind Chance, was a state of mind that we interpreted in very different styles. Each Chance fragrance is unique, but they all express the same state of mind. There is no common composition, but something along the lines of a feeling and an emotion that each fragrance expresses — something very lively and very direct, ” explains Olivier Polge, Chanel In-House Perfumer-Creator.

The first Chance was launched back in 2003: a classic floral with a golden yellow juice, composed of pink paper, jasmine and amber patchouli. It was created by the legendary Jacques Polge — Chanel’s first In-House Perfumer-Creator and, yes, father to Olivier, who has since taken up the mantle. Since then, three interpretations have revealed three new dimensions, each in a distinct colour: vibrant green Chance Eau Fraîche with sparkling citron, soft jasmine, and teak wood; delicate pink Chance Eau Tendre, a floral-fruity blend of grapefruit, cedar, iris, and jasmine; and bold orange Chance Eau Vive, a zesty floral powered by citrus zest and a jasmine heart. Four fragrances, four chances — four sparkling elixirs of good fortune, each housed in a round flacon that evokes a precious bowling ball in life’s whimsical game of chance.

Now, the fifth arrives: Chance Eau Splendide, dressed in violet, a fruity-floral scent that spins an air of luminous mystique. “While exploring the world of red fruits, I landed on a raspberry accord that became the starting point,” continues Olivier Polge. “What intrigued me — beyond the sheer pleasure of the note itself — was how raspberry, like certain other red fruits, shares an aesthetic affinity with rosy tones. There’s a whisper of violet beneath it all, subtle but present, and those delicate threads became the foundation for building this fragrance.”

And there’s more to the magic. To complement the raspberry, Polge turned to a floral note with a twist, geranium: “It all stemmed from the idea of continuing that raspberry-toned harmony,” he adds. “Geranium is an intriguing note for us because, in a way, it behaves like a floral. We’ve developed a particular fondness for this facet — so much so that we’ve begun cultivating a small quantity ourselves in our fields in Grasse. It’s rosy, but with a more delicate simplicity.”

The composition is anchored by subtly faceted cedar and soft white musks, creating an accord that extends the fragrance’s sillage with a vibrant woody warmth. A sophisticated powdery iris note adds a final brushstroke of refinement. And, as with every Chance, jasmine lies at its heart — though here, it’s a whisper, barely perceptible, like a secret shared only with the skin.

Copyright CHANEL

Text: Lidia Ageeva