Vivir Report: YSL Young Sexy Lovely Couture Collection 2009 Review
A Collector's Look at a Discontinued Fruity-Floral Gem
In 2009, Yves Saint Laurent continued a popular trend among designer houses: the annual limited edition flanker. The brand released the Young Sexy Lovely Couture Collection, a special version of its 2007 original. This wasn't just a new scent; it was a fashion statement in a bottle, designed to capture the fleeting beauty of a Parisian spring and YSL's high-fashion legacy. The bottle itself, adorned with a delicate, multi-layered fabric flower, was a clear nod to the brand's haute couture roots, making it an instant object of desire for collectors and brand loyalists.
Positioned as a youthful, ephemeral fragrance, the Couture Collection 2009 slotted into the YSL lineup as a lighter, more playful alternative to classics like Opium or Paris. It aimed squarely at a younger demographic than the brand's more established pillars, capitalizing on the massive popularity of fruity-floral scents that dominated the late 2000s. It was designed for the chic young woman who appreciated both high fashion and effortless, everyday elegance. Unlike a permanent addition, its limited nature created an immediate sense of urgency and exclusivity.
The concept was simple yet effective: bottle the essence of a blossoming cherry tree garden in Paris. The fragrance was meant to evoke a carefree stroll, with notes of juicy pear, delicate cherry blossom, and soft musk painting a picture of youthful romance and optimism. The 'Couture' element elevated this simple idea, suggesting that this everyday charm was underpinned by the sophistication and quality inherent to the Yves Saint Laurent name. It was an accessible piece of luxury, a small taste of the YSL fashion world.
Today, Young Sexy Lovely Couture Collection 2009 is a ghost in the fragrance world. Long discontinued, it exists primarily in the memories of those who wore it and on the digital shelves of resale markets. Its cultural impact is that of a nostalgic artifact, representing a specific era of fragrance trends. For collectors, it's a prized find, not just for the scent but for the unique bottle design. For the modern consumer, its story serves as a lesson in the transient nature of limited editions and a benchmark for the light, fruity-floral category.
The Nose Behind the Scent
The original Young Sexy Lovely (2007) was created by the renowned perfumer Sophie Labbé. While the perfumer for this specific 2009 limited edition flanker is not officially credited, it is widely assumed to be an adaptation of Labbé's original structure, likely developed by the in-house team at YSL Beauté. Labbé is a master perfumer at IFF known for her work on iconic fragrances such as Bvlgari Jasmin Noir, Calvin Klein Beauty, and Givenchy Organza.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
The fragrance opens with a bright, juicy burst of Nashi pear and sweet Italian mandarin. It's instantly refreshing and uplifting, avoiding sharpness. A subtle hint of black currant adds a touch of tartness, preventing the opening from becoming overly sweet. This phase is effervescent and distinctly youthful.
After 20-30 minutes, the initial fruitiness softens, allowing the delicate floral heart to emerge. The cherry blossom note is the star, providing a clean, slightly aqueous, and airy floral character. It's supported by creamy magnolia and a soft, fleshy vine peach note that bridges the fruity top and floral heart. The scent becomes softer and more romantic.
From the second hour onwards, the fragrance settles into a gentle, skin-like base. Crystalline musk provides a clean, fluffy texture, while a whisper of cedarwood adds structure without being overtly woody. A faint touch of amber gives a subtle warmth. The drydown is a soft, musky floral with lingering fruitiness, very subtle and personal.
Performance Dashboard
Sub-par. Lasts 3-4 hours on skin before becoming a faint skin scent. Requires reapplication throughout the day.
Soft. Projects within arm's length for the first hour, then quickly settles close to the skin. It is not a room-filler.
Minimal. Leaves a very light, almost unnoticeable trail. This is a personal scent intended for the wearer's enjoyment.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
Receives compliments for being 'pretty' and 'fresh'. It's pleasant and unlikely to offend, but its low projection means it won't be noticed by many.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Beautiful, delicate, and fresh scent profile.
- ✅ Stunning, collectible 'Couture' bottle design.
- ✅ Very easy to wear and suitable for most daytime situations.
- ✅ Inoffensive and office-friendly.
- ✅ Represents a nostalgic piece of YSL history.
- ❌ Extremely poor longevity and sillage.
- ❌ Discontinued and very difficult to find.
- ❌ Overpriced on resale markets due to rarity.
- ❌ May be perceived as too simple or generic by seasoned fragrance enthusiasts.
Price & Value
“Not worth the current price for practical use due to poor performance. It is only worth the investment for serious YSL collectors or those seeking to recapture a specific scent memory.”
The Family
The original 2007 Eau de Toilette that started the line.
The preceding year's limited edition flanker with a different bottle design and slight scent variation.
Explore More
🔍 Similar Fragrances
Shares a similar fresh, aquatic, fruity-floral DNA with prominent peony and magnolia.
Features a similar playful, light, and fruity-floral character, though with raspberry and grapefruit instead of pear.
Evokes the same delicate, fresh, fruity-floral vibe with quince and grapefruit over a soft musk base.
💡 Clone Alternatives
Offers a similar core accord of pear, cherry blossom, and soft woods at a fraction of the price, though with less nuance.
While sweeter and more gourmand, it captures the same youthful, fruity-floral spirit of the late 2000s.
❤️ You May Also Enjoy
A sophisticated, fresh floral with a similar delicate and romantic feel.
A modern take on the pear, rose, and musk combination that feels clean and uplifting.
For those who love the prominent pear note, this offers a more photorealistic and refined experience.
More from Yves Saint Laurent
🧪 Layering Ideas
- A simple musk fragrance like Juliette Has a Gun 'Not a Perfume' to enhance the base and improve longevity.
- A single-note pear body spray to amplify the opening's juicy quality.
- A light, non-descript woody scent like Escentric Molecules 'Molecule 01' to add depth to the drydown.
🏆 Final Verdict
Yves Saint Laurent Young Sexy Lovely Couture Collection 2009 is a time capsule. It perfectly captures the light, pretty, and carefree fragrance trend of its era. The scent itself is an undeniable delight: a sparkling, juicy pear and cherry blossom dream that is impossible to dislike. It's the olfactory equivalent of a sunny spring morning in Paris. The bottle, with its couture-inspired flower, remains a beautiful piece of design.
However, you must buy this with your head, not just your heart. As a functional fragrance for daily wear, it fails. The performance is fleeting, lasting a mere few hours before disappearing. Its discontinuation means you'll pay a steep collector's premium for what amounts to a high-end body mist. For the practical buyer, your money is far better spent on modern alternatives like Chanel's Chance Eau Tendre or Dior's Blooming Bouquet, which offer a similar vibe with better performance and availability.
So, who should buy this? Only two people: the die-hard YSL collector who needs this specific bottle for their collection, or the individual for whom this scent holds powerful nostalgic value. For everyone else, admire it from afar, appreciate its place in fragrance history, and purchase one of its more reliable spiritual successors.