11 March 2026 |
Celebrating the newest fragrance by master perfumer Francis Kurkdijan.
On a warm Monday evening, Christian Dior Parfums opened the doors to Club J’adore inside a brutalist Beverly Hills mansion. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows surrounded the dramatic concrete structure, framing an unobstructed view of the glittering Los Angeles skyline. Guests mingled through low-lit lounges, sinking into velvet grey couches as the $60 million estate slowly came to life. The buzzing cocktail party celebrated J’adore Intense, the latest chapter in Dior’s iconic fragrance story. Master perfumer Francis Kurkdijan described this scent as an exploration of the multifaceted Rihanna, who is the face of the legendary J’adore fragrance. The result is a rich, honey-coated, floral scent that feels sensual and confident, much like the global pop star.
Though Rihanna had been expected to attend Club J’adore, reports earlier in the day suggested she had left Los Angeles after shots were fired near her home the night before. Still, whispers of a possible appearance lingered in the air. Throughout the evening, guests occasionally glanced toward the entrance, half expecting the pop icon to make a dramatic late arrival.
In the meantime, the bar stayed busy with guests sipping cocktails that nodded to the fragrance’s floral character. Drinks like the Vodka Jasmine, Tequila Rose, and Vodka Ylang Ylang offered playful interpretations of the scent’s notes. Some paused for quick photo ops at the sleek stone-covered bar before drifting back into the glowing conversation pits, while a chorus of Dior slingback pumps click-clacked across the cement floor.
From left: Yuko Araki, Nicole Wallace, Francis Kurkdjian, and Harriet Herbig Matten
The gathering also served as an early kickoff to the 2026 Oscar party season. Guests like Jurnee Smollett, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Natasha Dupeyrón, Liza Koshy, and Eric Nam were among those spotted weaving through the crowds. Dupeyrón sported the iconic cropped bar jacket and pleated mini skirt from Jonathan Anderson’s debut Dior womenswear collection. Koshy opted for a vintage Dior slip dress from 1998, pulled from her personal archive, topped with a vintage fur coat that felt perfectly suited for the occasion.
“Scent has so much to do with your costume for the day and how you show up in the world,” Koshy said while making her way through the party. “And today I chose to show up as Rihanna, so naturally I’m wearing J’adore.”
Friend of the house Skai Jackson also shared her connection to the brand, recalling how her mother first introduced her to Dior fragrances when she was young. “I’ve loved Dior since I was a little girl,” she said. “My mom would buy me fragrance to make me feel empowered.”
From left: Jurnee Smollett, Alexandra Shipp, Liza Koshy & Madeline Arthur, Yuko Araki, Regis & Brice Abby, atmosphere
Outside, the energy centered on a floating sundeck surrounded by an infinity pool. DJ duo Doppelganger Paris delivered a steady pulse of house music alongside a live performance from the Grammy-winning pianist Brian Kennedy. The mix of thumping beats and elegant piano felt unexpectedly magical, especially with all of Los Angeles glowing in the distance like a cinematic backdrop.
After 10 p.m, the party migrated downstairs to a cavernous clubhouse where celebrations stretched into the early morning. DJ Kitty Ca$h took over the decks, keeping the crowd moving while waiters circulated with tangerine-colored jello shots. Lady Dior bags swung from shoulders across the dancefloor, catching the soft glow of the strobe lights. The glamorous guests let loose like a group of stylish regulars who all somehow ended up at the same party. High above Los Angeles, Dior’s bold fortress proved to be the perfect place to celebrate the new J’adore Intense perfume.
