New Fragrance: Parfums Quartana Les Potions Fatales (Joseph Quartana X Symrise) + Pick Your Poison Draw

les potions fatales  joseph quartana

"Even bees, the little almsmen of spring bowers, know there is richest juice in poison flowers" — John Keats

 Fragrance Foundation Award winning Creative Director Joseph Quartana  who has been highly praised for Six Scents is launching  Les Potions Fatales a new collection of perfumes that explore the treacherous beauty and intriguing lore behind nine of the world’s most poisonous flowers; fragrant Femme Fatales and Homme Fatales that are alluring to behold but ultimately dark, sinister and even deadly. Les Potions Fatales was  two years in the making  a collaboration  with  accomplished noses (very much in the manner of Six Scents but with Symrise). The nine fragrances take their name from blooms that if ingested are deadly: Venetian belladonna,  bloodflower,  midnight  datura, digitalis, hemlock,  lily  of  the  valley,  mandrake,  poppy  soma, and wolfsbane.

venetian belladonna

Venetian Belladona by Pierre Constantine Gueros

"Do Not Betray a Beautiful Woman”-Anonymous 

Literally translating to ‘beautiful woman’, medieval Italian women would put droplets into their eyes to dilate their pupils as they believed this made them appear more attractive. It is often equated with aggresive female sexuality and was used by Northern Italian witches to place seduction spells on men.

FLORAL- FRUITY, FRUITY, SPICY, WOODY-DARK / Notes: Cassis, Violet Water, Plum, Sultanene, Cognac, Styrax, Ambrette Seed, Sampaquia, Honey, Purple Iris, Tuberose, Patchouli, Labdanum, Suede, Saffron, Beeswax, Sandalwood, Vetiver

MIDNIGHT DATURA

Midnight Datura By Lisa Fleischmann

Any man who falls asleep after smelling datura will fall in love with the first woman he sees” — Anonymous 

Also known as “moonflower”, Datura is an essential ingredient in love potions and is known to induce visions and a trance-like state. Datura has aphrodisiac qualities and fittingly, its white flowers open at nighttime, glowing in the moonlight.

FLORAL-FRESH, FLORAL-FRUITY, CREAMY, BOOZY, POWDER, AMBER/ Notes: Green Leaf, Mandarin, Bergamot, Davana, Rum, Jasmine, Tuberose, Magnolia, Muguet, Rose, Violet, Lavender, Heliotrope, Datura Accord, Clove, Nutmeg, Pepper, Balsam, Patchouli, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Amber, Musk

DIGITALIS

Digitalis By David Apel

The foxglove bells, with lolling tongue Will not reveal what peals were rung In Faery, In Faery A thousand ages gone.” — Mary Webb

GREEN, FRESH-CLEAN, OCEANIC, SPICY/ Notes: Galbanum, Silver Iris, Cucumber, Basil, Pepper, Ozone, Coriander, Florozone, Drenched Violet, Neroli, Rose, Jasmine, Gentiane, Incense, Fern, Wet Moss, Violet Leaf

 

PARFUMS QUARTANA: Les Potions Fatales - 'Bloodflower' by Joseph Quartana

Bloodflower By Alexandra Carlin     

Look at my bloodflowers, because I write with a serene sharp blade that soothes as much as cuts into the deepest parts of my soul”— Basith

Given the name, they wished to attain a haute Goth experience by adding blood accord, sambuca and dark roses

AROMATIC, BOOZY, GOURMAND, AMBER, METALLIC, WOODY-DARK/ Licorice, Anise, Blood Accord, Clover, Dark Rose, Amber, Patchouli

DIGITALIS

Hemlock By Christelle Laprade

Socrates gave a lot of advice, and he was given hemlock to drink” — Rose Kennedy

In Ancient Greece, hemlock was used to execute condemned prisoners, the most famous being the philosopher Socrates.

GREEN, ORIENTAL, SYNTHETIC, WOODY-SPICY/ Notes: Martinique Rum, Pink Pepper, Calabrian Bergamot, Crushed Leaves, Glossy White Floral Accord, Cinnamon Bark, Clove Buds, Jasmine Sambac, Styrax Pyrogene, Black Vinyl Accord, Black Magnolia, Cyclamen, Salt Accord, Benzoin, Vanilla Bean, Suede, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Tonka Bean, Musk, Masculine Amber Woods

LILY OF THE VALLEY

PARFUMS QUARTANA: Les Potions Fatales - 'Lily of the Valley'

Lily of the Valley By Nathalie Benareau  

Sweetest of the flowers a-blooming In the fragrant vernal days Is the Lily of the Valley With its soft, retiring ways” — Paul Laurence Dunbar

It is said that the Lily of the Valley sprung from the eyes of the weeping Virgin Mary during the crucifixion of Jesus, and thus has traditionally been a flower of purity and innocence, but it is deadly poison. 

FLORAL-FRESH, FLORAL-WHITE, FRESH-CITRUS, LEATHER/ Notes: Bergamot, Neroli, Dewy Petals, Cassis Buds, Muguet des Bois, Orange Blossom Absolute, Dark Rose Absolute, Jasmine Petals, Black Leather Glove Accord, Labdanum Extract, Vetiver, Bourbon, Vanilla Absolute, Sandalwood mandrake

MANDRAKE

Mandrake By Carlos J. Vinals

“Go, and catch a falling star, Get with child a mandrake root, Tell me, where all past years are, Or who cleft the Devil’s foot.” — John Donne    

In biblical scripture, mandrake was referred to as ‘the love plant’ and was through to have male fertility enhancing properties; as such it was mentioned by Shakespeare in “Midsummer Night’s Dream” as a cure for erectile dysfunction.

GREEN, FRESH-FRUIT, NARCOTIC, LEATHER, WOODY-DARK / Notes: Crisp Apple, Pomegranate, Birch Leaf, Birch Root, Bergamot, Mandrake Flower Accord, Rhubarb, Cardamom, Sueded Leather, Deadly Addiction Accord, Patchouli, Madagascar, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Tonka

POPPY SOMA

PARFUMS QUARTANA: Les Potions Fatales - 'Poppy Soma'
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Poppy Soma By Emilie Coppermann

The poppy opes her scarlet purse of dreams.” — Sharmel Iris

Known to the Ancient Sumerians as “the joy plant”, poppy symbolized nocturnal oblivion, specifically sleep, night, and death in the pre-Christian world.

FLORIENTAL, SMOKY, NARCOTIC, SPICY, AMBER/ Notes; Sichuan Pepper, Curry Leaf, Red Pepper, Black Gardenia, Jasmine Sambac, Red Rose, Old Church Incense, Labdanum, Tuberose, Styrax, Musk Tonquin

WOLFSBANE

Wolfsbane By Phillippe Paparella-Paris

The lolling weeds of Lether, green or wan, Exhale their fatal languors on the light; From out infernal grails of aconite. Poisons and dews are proffered to the dawn.” — Clark Ashton Smith

Originally used in the West for exterminating wolf populations, Wolfsbane was used in the Far East for hunting and warfare by poisoning arrow tips.

 ANIMALIC, EARTHY, SPICY, BALSAMIC, WOODY-DARK/ Notes: Angelica Root, Fig Leaf, Cumin Seed, Ginger Root, Absinthe, Patchouli, Cedarwood, Tuberose, Tobacco Flower, Castoreum, Benzoin, Sandalwood, Prunol, Vetiver, Deer Tonque, Black Truffles

A portion of proceeds from sales of this fragrance will benefit the American Association of Poison Control Centers. www.aapcc.org 

All original artwork by Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic. 

 Each Potion Fatale  is 50 ml and housed in a  Blue Amethyst flacon. Perfume concentration ranges from 12-20 percent. Prices $145- $185. Available June 2016 

GROUP B

via Parfums Quartana

Thanks to Joseph Quartana we have a sample set of all 9 fragrances for a registered CaFleureBon reader in the USA, to be eligible pick your poison and why. Draw closes June 5, 2016

We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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23 comments

  • I’m going to jump right in and say I love the concept behind these perfumes! Datura is one of my favorite flowers and I love finding them in the deserts of the southwest! White flowers & moonlight, nothing better.

  • Lellabelle says:

    What a wonderful concept! My poison would be Belladona, or Datura. Datura has the most wonderful intoxicating florals, and Belladona sounds dark and interesting. Surprise me with either and I’ll try not to overdose! USA please and thank you.

  • Nice presentation! I’ve be dying to try Bloodflower because of the anise and licorice combination. Thank you for the draw! U.S.

  • MikasMinion says:

    This is one of the best fragrance line concepts in a while. I want to try them all, but if I had to choose just one it would be Wolfsbane. I’m in the US, thanks!

  • this entire offering sounds great. my poison pick would be either Venetian Belladona by Pierre Constantine Gueros because I like the witchiness link OR Midnight Datura By Lisa Fleischman because who doesn’t need a love potion. I’ve been searching for that perfect fragrance with that effect 🙂 this is a great opportunity to try them all, so thank you to Joseph Quartana! I’m in US and registered.

  • Robert H. says:

    Wow, what a concept! I have to say that not knowing that the LOTV is poisonous, I’d go for that just to see its dark side! In the USA

  • The all look worth a try, but Wolfsbane and Digitalis are especially interesting to me!

  • Wayne Hollander says:

    Really wonderful concept! Gorgeous packaging too.
    I had a hard time choosing…..but if I had to pick my poison it would be Wolfsbane:
    Angelica Root, Fig Leaf, Cumin Seed, Ginger Root, Absinthe, Patchouli, Cedarwood, Tuberose, Tobacco Flower, Castoreum, Benzoin, Sandalwood, Prunol, Vetiver, Deer Tonque, Black Truffles

    This sounds dark and lush and deep – olfactory seduction! I have no idea what “deer tonque” is – I’m assuming some kinda musk? – so off to Google am I. Thanks for another wonderful opportunity <3

  • Best concept ever for perfume since poison by Dior and opium by ysl
    Datura and poppy soma for me and some wolfsbane for my SO
    I think though hemlock for my landlord
    Amazeballs
    Those videos are movie quality
    Blood flower esp

  • fazalcheema says:

    The most suitable choice given this time of the year may be Digitalis ​By David Apel because it is green and also has acquatic elements. Thanks a lot for the generous draw. I am in the U.S.

    Now off to watching the videos.

  • This is such a great concept. I’m totally in love with how Poppy Soma sounds–I love the idea of that smoky, churchiness–but they all sound so interesting. I’m in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • I have to say, Poppy Soma is really intriguing! But, to be fair, I think a lot of these sound really interesting! Thanks for the draw, I’m in the US.

  • Wow, this is a truly unique concept and creation! My poison would either be the Venetian Belladona or the Midnight Datura. Poppy Soma also intrigues me. I love that they are giving a portion of the proceeds to a poison control charity. I live in the US and thanks for the draw! 🙂

  • I have always been intrigued by the datura species, so many are deadly and/or used in Shamanic rituals. I love the blooms of the Angel’s Trumpet, which I saw in a garden on the Big Island of Hawai’i. They were salmon-colored and exquisite. I am reminded of Hawthorne’s short story “Rappaccini’s Daughter” when I think of things that are poisonous yet beautiful.

    Of the scents described above, I am most attracted to Midnight Datura By Lisa Fleischmann.

    I live in the US.

  • I will echo everyone else, but what an interesting concept! These all sound of interest but Poppy Soma and Midnight Datura attract me most. Poppy Soma’s description: floriental, smoky, narcotic, spicy, amber…..Yum!I wonder where these will be sold?
    I am in the USA.

  • pursejunkie says:

    It’s hard to pick just one, but I think Hemlock just edges out Mandrake because how could I say no to a “Black Vinyl Accord?” U.S,

  • Diana Devlin says:

    Such complex and mysterious fragrances! How can I pick just one! Love the sound of Poppy Soma, though. I really enjoy spicy notes.
    I live in the U.S.

  • Registered US reader here, gone for a while but happily back. Was wondering about these when I saw them added to an international database and sure enough…lo, and behold:

    I go to CaFleureBon and THERE THEY ARE! Thanks for still being the best with the newest news and releases. This line intrigues me like no other lines in the last few years has (save PECCATO ORIGINALE & LES LIQUIDES IMAGINAIRES). Being pagan and a perfumisti these are right up my proverbial alley!!

    IF I let the “accords” call the shots, then WOLFSBANE be my pick…

    Sure ALL of them deserve a sniff. Thanks to Joseph Q for the great prize and all the great work. Thanks to the team here for always shining brightly and carrying the best most interesting fragrant tidings to us.

    Fragrant hugs all around, and brightest blessings