hs.riverdale.k12.or.us
A rose is a rose is a rose…
So stated the wondrous Gertrude Stein in her 1913 poem Sacred Emily; this image would be echoed in 1954 by Aldous Huxley in his Doors of Perception.
And so many others, besides: Robert Frost, Ernest Hemingway, William Carlos Williams, Bret
It’s a fairly long list.
Gertrude Stein by Pablo Picasso ( the rumpus.net)
But first came Will Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet:
“What’s in a name?
That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet “.
Ah, the Law of Identity, the Rule of Three;-)
copyblogger.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_identity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_Three
Aristotle insisted: everything that exists has a specific nature, and it possesses characteristics that are a part of what it is.
In ancient mathematics- as in writing – the usage of three lends emphasis and increases the satisfaction one experiences.
Was perfumer Neil Morris aware of this when he created his parfum A Rose Is A Rose?
Three glorious roses well bedded and wedded.
Or was it felicitous happenstance, the subtext of an active subconscious at play?
I’ll leave you with that question, I think.
During this blissfully verdant season, I am filled with cravings.
I crave flowers.
City-born and bred and city-dweller, I am nonetheless a not-so-covert and impassioned naturalist, whose very heart leaps at the carillon of pre-dawn birdsong, the moist , tantalizing aroma of nascent undergrowth, the visual reminder of the Eternal Return.
ROSES.
I greedily examine all my neighbors’ yards for signs of promise…gardens are a treasured privilege in
.
Roses make everything better.
Friend and perfumer Neil Morris knows and understands this longing well.
About six months ago, Neil met with many fragrance lovers, and a very dear mutual friend, Gabrielle–
An exquisite nose in her own right ;-).
When asked what she felt was ‘missing’ from the scope of perfumery, Gabrielle expressed a desire for a rose scent that was truly rose– unadulterated by competing floral notes.
Our gentle giant agonized for six months over this particular request; he loves to pleasure those he loves, AND he enjoys a good challenge.
He sent his completed parfum to Gabrielle and myself.
And now, to you, dear readers-
Before he releases it during this upcoming weekend’s Sniffapalooza.
Neil Morris: A Rose Is A Rose Parfum
Notes:
Peony Blossom
Aldehydes
Bulgarian Rose
Arabian Rose
Moss Rose
Myrtle Wood
Ambra Musk
Neil is a great admirer of the power of aldehydes– their ability to dazzle, diffuse, lift a scent, create space within it.
Peony and rose adore one another; coupled, they reveal a lushness, a plushness that neither alone possesses to such an extent.
Myrtle wood is another much- beloved color in Neil’s olfactory palette.
An evergreen which flourishes in the
There is a warm freshness here that is compatible with the rose, helping to prolong her without dramatically changing her fundamental color.
Ambra Musk: how to describe this?
I’ve sniffed it Chez Neil. It’s a deep and grounding musk with a subtle earthiness to it, meant to be used in minute quantity- which it is.
Between the myrtle and the musk, a greenness and sappy, soil-like quality is introduced-
Very quietly, mind, so as not to wake the roses.
It simply sidles up to them affectionately, to warm its feet in bed.
fineartsprintsondemand.com
And the sleeping roses?
Oh, my.
A trio of them, each lovely and unique: the buxom Bulgarian, the sultry Arabian, the shy, soft Moss rose.
I wouldn’t want to choose among them, they each so dear and unique; together, they harmonize seamlessly.
A Rose Is A Rose is charming, and manages to be gently present with long duration.
Its sillage is dependent on dosage- if you are a ‘big spritzer’, the effect is more pronounced.
[When dealing with soliflores, I personally prefer to adhere to the “less is more” maxim, myself 😉 ]
My darling, discerning, and stubborn husband is very fond.
Would one of you like to like to discover this for yourself?
I will make a lovely decant of the pure perfume for a dear reader.
Please share with us your particular fondness for the rose, or its perfumer….
Or why you love the Spring as we at CFB do;-) Draw closes April 29.
If you can't be at Sniffapalooza to see Neil in person this is the next best thing.
A Song of Springtime by John William Waterhouse (johnwilliamwaterhouse.com)
And a lovely, nourishing scented Spring to all!
-Ida Meister, Senior Editor