Bal d'Afrique Absolu by BYREDO - EDP 100ml

Inspired by founder Ben Gorham's personal connection to Africa, particularly his father's experiences traveling and living there, Ben Gorham crafted Bal d’Afrique as both an imaginary journey and a celebration of Africa's rich cultural impact on dance, art, and music.

Intensifying the gourmand aspect of Bal d’Afrique, this reimagined composition heightens the contrast between vibrant lightness and addictive depth, offering a richer, more addictive experience. Notes of bergamot, lemon, and blackcurrant offer a bold vibrance, melting into the sweetness of praline, musks, and violet, and finishing on a dramatic base of cedar, vetiver, and warm black amber.

Beyond the fragrance, the homage to craftsmanship is reflected in the newly redesigned Absolu de Parfum bottle. The textured cap, inspired by Yakisugi, the Japanese art of charring wood, embodies the deep intensity, transformation, and enduring strength that mirrors the essence of the Absolu. The silver and gold atomizer spray, with its industrial edge, complements the bottle’s elemental design and the clean curves of the glass. Within the bottle, the hue of the Absolu de Parfum is intensified, offering a visual hint at the rich concentration of fragrance inside.

“Bal d’Afrique is one of my earliest fragrances. At the time of its formulation, I was obsessed with the translation of memories into scent. At the same time, I felt confident enough to include an imaginary component. My father lived and travelled in Africa for about 10-15 years. I would read his diaries; the way he travelled on freight ships, met all kinds of different people… For me, this was the fantasy of arriving in Africa through somebody else’s words. Bal d’Afrique reflects that; it’s an imaginary journey as well as a complete celebration of how I see African culture and its influence.”

With a focus on beauty and fantasy, Bal d’Afrique is Ben Gorham’s ‘love letter’ to Africa. Wanting to sum up and celebrate the reach and influence of Africa through time, particularly the way its myriad cultures have shaped dance, art and music, the idea of an imaginary event.