Une Nuit à Bali Alexandra Cubizolles and Philippe Solas  at Esxence-Photo Megan

I discovered Une Nuit à Bali at Esxence on the last day of the exhibition. Alexandra Cubizolles and Philippe Solas who are the co founders  were both working in the music industry and  share a passion for Asia, the health benefits of plants and living more simply, et voila Une Nuit à Bali was born. The range is comprised of skincare and fragrances with a policy to act ethically in their business decisions and to choose suppliers carefully.

Photo: Une Nuit à Bali

They showcased three perfumes at Esxence – Mr Vetiver, Suma Oriental, and Fleur des Fleurs .   All three perfumes are characterized by their uncomplicated but beautifully composed nature.  There is a story behind each scent that makes them even more intriguing.

 

 

Panen Raya by Kenteng

 According to Une Nuit à Bali,”This is a story about a man who you may have encountered somewhere near Java. People say he is tall, with skin that has been tanned by the sun and tattooed by the passage of time. His blue gaze plunges into the viewfinder of his Leica, and his white shirt is perpetually wrinkled. He can often be spotted on the plains of the Garut regions, speeding along his old Dutch bicycle” I can visualize this man.  I have some vetiver oil from Java that I love as it smells warm, slightly nutty and even leathery at times.  It’s full bodied and luscious.  I’ve struggled to find that sensation in most vetiver perfumes. Only one vetiver has worked its way into my collection and that’s Vetiver Oriental from Serge Lutens and that bell jar is a little unloved.   Mr Vetiver is an altogether lighter interpretation, composed by Amélie Bourgeois. (other perfumes she has signed that have been reviewed here are Paradis Perdu (Frapin), Rouge Assassin (Jovoy) and Sovereign (Le Galion) along with Anne-Sophie Behaghel).

Mr Vetiver is easy to wear. It’s a simple, spiced up vetiver that has a sexy, alluring edge. I enjoy the opening. There is a hint of grapefruit and lime and then cardamom slinks in. It’s not too spicy at this stage and there’s a lovely hint of rosiness from the geranium. I am intrigued by the sustainable and ethically sourced piri piri( similar to papyrus) at the base which pulls the composition together.

Aventuras de Tomé Pires

“The story behind Suma Oriental refers to the brilliant collection of writings by Tomé Pires, a Portugese apothecary who became ambassador to China in the 16th century. A very detailed description of an insular southeast Asia, "Suma Oriental" revealed for the first time that sandalwood originated in the Sumba (modern day Indonesia).His work inspired renowned perfumer Coty to create the 1934 fragrance "A Suma", which evoked the moonlit beaches of Bali”.

Balinese Woman Source: Tribudragon

 Amélie Bourgeois and Anne-Sophie Behaghel (Nevermore from Frapin, Sovereign from Le Galion) have teamed together to create Suma Oriental that sits inside the edible patchouli and chocolate box of perfumes that I happen to adore. Borneo 1834 from Serge Lutens is my hands down favourite in this genre with its dark, dusty patchouli and hints of cocoa delight. Suma Oriental is a lighter and probably more palatable take on this theme. If you’re a little wary of full blown dark patchoulis, but like the intention of these scents, Suma Oriental is a great introduction. There’s a hit of patchouli here.  It’s not the dark, deep patchouli that I favour (think Reminscence’s Patchouli, Horizon (Oriza L. Legrand) or Psychedelique (Jovoy). This is somewhat toned down and has a hazy duskiness to it with rum and cocoa in the mix. They’re not super charged but they smell deliciously delightful.  It does make me yearn for chocolates and feel like I greedily need more than just a few. The texture in the drydown has a slight powdered feel with a woody undertone and tonka sweetness. It feels like there is an additional light dusting of chocolate to further entice. Suma Oriental is an indulgent calorie free treat. Spray with abandon.

Balinese woman playing guitar Karl Bang

Fleur des Fleurs is the most elegant in the collection. I love white florals and  this is a siren’s song  beginning with a ylang ylang and jasmine duet with tuberose joining in for a three part harmony. While the opening is bright, with bergamot, grapefruit and a smidgen of saffron the flowers emerge quickly.  Ylang-Ylang in Malay means ‘the flower of flowers’ and here they are fragrant yet subtle. The vanilla caresses and the base is smoothly sweet. This is a scent that has an intimacy that seduces and whispers. It’s delicate, soft and creamy yet has presence.  If white florals are generally too screechy or brazen for you this is one that may be seductively calling your name.  The perfumer for Fleur des Fleurs is Karine Chevalier who has signed a number of Nez à Nez fragrances including Rosier Ardent, Marron Chic and Bal Musque.

Megan Paki, Senior Contributor and Author of Megan In Sainte Maxime

Disclosure: I received samples at Esxence from Une Nuit à Bali

Editor’s Note: The fragrances are EDP concentration in a 50ml size.  Fleur des Fleurs is also available in a 20ml travel spray. Une Nuit à Bali is best known for its 100 percent botanical line of skincare and bath products.

 

We have a sample set for a US, Canada or EU reader.  To be eligible you must be a registered user. Please leave a comment with where you live and which scent sounds most appealing to you. Draw closes May 29, 2015.

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