Last Sunday’s foray to the Elements Showcase proved to be a magnificent madhouse.
In the midst of all the olfactory brouhaha, it was a rare pleasure to indulge in conversation with lovely Ineke Rűhland.
Over the course of time, it became clear to us both that her perfume Evening Edged in Gold seemed to be under-appreciated, when viewed alongside her other work.
She thought that perhaps, it wasn’t a “big oriental”, and that that perception might have contributed to its being overlooked.
I was stymied; it didn’t make any sense at all to my nose or my heart.
And so I gently asked her, would she object to my reviewing it sometime soon?
So here we are.
Alice in Wonderland sang of the glories of the garden in “All In A Golden Afternoon”.
What a wonderful place to begin…
Ineke adores “the hunt”- searching for new, fascinating plants to embrace in her garden.
It is a horticultural heart which pulsates within this singular perfume.
The fully fragrant, exotic blooms tenderly lend their sweet voices at the close of day; both midnight candy and angel’s trumpet will only relinquish their delicious odors in early evening.
The exquisite osmanthus flower- guì huā in Chinese, meaning ‘cinnamon flower’-
Is renowned for its apricot-laden, faintly suede-like leathery aroma.
How appropriate and uncanny, that Evening Edged in Gold includes both a plum note to enhance the fruity quality -and cinnamon bark, to correlate with the spice attribute.
Saffron, most costly of spices, enters on tiptoe, so as not to disturb the delicate balance.
Her mere breath is sufficient and a welcome counterpoint to the succulent, unabashed florals that pervade this scent.
Whatever woods are present, are discretion itself, murmur-soft.
Floral Oriental is her name, and joyously so.
Softer, rounder, more gracious and subtle than any other bearing the name, I am always grateful to succumb to her fragrant caress.
She makes bedtime- and the Dreamtime-
Sweet indeed.
Many thanks, gentle Ineke.
Photo Credits:
Alice’s garden- jessibella.com
All other photographs courtesy of Bill O’Such and Ineke Rűhland
Thanks to INeKE fragrances we have a special draw for 1.7 oz of Evening Edged in Gold. Please comment on this review or your favorite INeKE perfume- A-G. Draw ends Friday February 10.
–Ida Meister, Senior Editor