We caught up with Benjamin Millepied, the face of L'Homme Libre by Yves SaintLaurent, the new fragrance that will launch in March, to get his insight into scents,style and more. Benjamin Millepied On Scent And Style

How do you feel about cologne?Choosing afragrance is rather like finding a certain identity for yourself. Having somethingthat resembles us -- it’s always special. I can't help thinking of this ratherromantic anecdote: Balanchine, the choreographer of the New York City Ballet, used tochoose fragrances for his ballerinas. Personally, I’ve always been interested infragrances, and, over the years, I’ve chosen different fragrances for myself, whichhave been rather sober. Yves Saint Laurent's Homme Libre is a fragrance that conveys theelegance and refinement of which I am so fond. Perfume brings back childhoodmemories: It's interesting how scents can be linked to specific moments, little slices oflife. It's always surprising to see the extent to which a scent, a fragrance, can be areal step back in time. So the way I feel about perfume is very personal. Do you take an interest in fashion?Yes, I do, becauseclothes are part of design. It’s an art form that interests me because I participatein the design of costumes for my ballets, depending on my dancers. It’s important tokeep an eye on clothes and creation.What style of clothes do youwear?I like to be well-dressed without looking as though I’vespent too much time on it, but still with a touch of elegance. I think, in fact, thatelegance is knowing how to dress without looking as if you’ve spent hours in frontof the mirror that morning. It’s about taking care and being elegant without beingtoo self-conscious, especially in the case of men. What doesthe YSL brand represent to you?Yves Saint Laurent is a very greatfirm. It represents French elegance -- creative, modern elegance. Monsieur Saint Laurentwas an artist always looking to the future, brimming with ideas, without any preconceivednotions. That's what's so interesting. It is thanks to that kind of attitude and talentthat someone like Yves Saint Laurent was able to revolutionize fashion throughout all thedecades during which he worked. Benjamin Millepied On New York

Do you like New York, and why?It's the city where I cameto dance, to work. It’s a city where I matured very quickly. I was nourished by theenergy one finds in New York, which cansometimes be destructive but also extremely exciting. It’s a city that has done me alot of good, and which, ultimately, fitted in well with my European past, my Frencheducation, which always taught me to be curious. For me, New York is a vital source ofnourishment; it inspires me and keeps me moving forward. What youneed to know about L'Homme Libre by Yves Saint Laurent, next... Continue Reading

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