Stylecurated: Guerlain presents SHALIMAR: 100 YEARS OF LOVE @WALDORF ASTORIA

At a cost of $23,000, only 66 of this Guerlain + Janaina Miheiro ultra limited edition bottle will be signed and made to order

It's been ages since I set foot in the Waldorf Astoria. After an 8-year renovation and a 'grand opening' on November 7, I was curious to see how the legend had been reborn. Guerlain's Shalimar: 100 Years of Love exhibit was the perfect excuse to return. I stepped inside and entered a sanctuary with marble and mirrors, soft reflections and the unmistakeable hush of old-world glamour. Everywhere, there were nods to a century of Shalimar--the warm scent of vanilla and iris in the air, archival art displayed just beyond reach and subtle nods to art deco (IYKYK). The exhibit itself is located in a private space--providing a glimpse of the journey of the perfume and perfumers, surrounded by opulence. Keep reading for a look inside...

Entry and waiting area of the Guerlain exhibit

In the words of our guide, "Fashion changes. Eyebrows change. Fads, politics--even husbands change. But Shalimar stays the same." The comment drew a chuckle, but also lingered. Since inception in 1925, the world has reinvented itself countless times, yet Shalimar has endured, untouched by time. Inside the Discovery Room, the exhibit opens with an introduction of Shalimar's origins--a story steeped in the love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and Princess Mumtaz Mahal (think Taj Mahal) and the legacy of founder Jaques Guerlain.

A brief history lesson happens in the Discovery Room. Visitors learn of the origins and inspiration behind Shalimar

Archival photographs and vintage ads trace Shalimar's journey from Paris to New York, capturing its rise in the Art Deco golden age. The fragrance became a hallmark of 1920s high society--an olfactory expression of glamour, freedom and modern feminity. One image stayed with me--a black and white of US soldiers in Paris, standing in a long line to buy Shalimar to bring home to their sweethearts. It is a poignant glimpse into how the perfume crossed borders--as a token of affection, carrying the spirit of love and elegance from Paris to New York (and beyond!).

Shalimar - the original bottle and formula

In the second set of the experience, guests are ushered into the Olfactory Room, where master perfumers Thierry Wasser and Delphine Jelk reveal the essence of Shalimar through its core ingredients--vanilla, rose, bergamot, jasmine and tonka bean. Each element is paired with a unique sound that captures its character (e.g. Bergamot / music box, jasmine / pizzicato, vanilla / piano, etc.).The messaging underscores Guerlian's "garden to bottle" philosophy, where every ingredient is traced back to the soil from which it grows.

Visitors experience the five essential notes that are core to Guerlain's scents.

The experience concludes at the Exceptional Pieces Through Time gallery where guests have the opportunity to sample and shop the scents, while viewing rare, exquisite and historical bottles of the Shalimar collection. Most notable are the original Shalimar bottle from 1925 made of baccarat crystal and the bedazzled 2014 limited edition Shalimar Bee Bottle by Shourouk Rhaiem. Guests leave with a tote and a token of love commemorating 100 years of Shalimar. Highly recommend a visit--RSVP here by November 20.