The house of Amouage, helmed by Creative Director Christopher Chong, is releasing a new tome in its Library Collection, Opus VIII. The Library Collection was created with the concept of the memories and experiences we gain during our life journey, like the hidden treasures found in a library that inspire us to learn and discover.

“Triumph of St. Ignatius of Loyola” by Andrea Pazzo

Opus VIII is meant to evoke Trompe L’Oeil, or Trick of the Eye, an art form that is meant to create visual illusion. Although practiced as early as ancient Greek and Roman times, the technique became popular during the 1400’s and beyond, thanks to the better understanding of perspective achieved during the Renaissance. Trompe L’Oeil is often used to create the illusion of increased space in a room by adding windows, door, or even whole rooms and outdoor scenes that can be so skilfully rendered as to cause people to try to enter. Murals are another popular venue, and recently there has been an upswing in artists who work directly on the street with chalk to create remarkable 3-D effects in fantastic drawings.

“Tunnel Vision” by Blue Sky (Warren Edward Johnson)

My first whiff of Opus VII actually reminded me of my mother’s painting studio, for just a brief moment; I have always loved the linseed oils, varnishes, and pigment smells. But that disperses fast enough that it may have been a trick of my mind instead of my eye, because a great, heady jasmine emerges right on the heels of that illusion. After its reign of glory, the fragile beauty of the jasmine is gently laid into a box that once housed incense and spice, and is made of the sweetest of woods.

Chalk art by Kurt Wenner

I find this perfume to be quite evocative. I enjoyed the floral aromas, most notably that wonderful waft of jasmin sambac, vibrating above my skin and filling the room like a heat mirage on a highway. As I sat with it, the drydown became warm and sweetly woody. I can see how it was inspired by visual trickery, because it has elements of olfactory illusion, shifting from a floral-oriental to a sweet smoky incense fragrance. Perfumers Pierre Negrin and Richard Herpin have created a fascinating perfume. I can’t quite decide which season would be right for this: the shimmering jasmine would be lovely in spring, but the cozy drydown sings of fall. Perhaps it is seasonless, and will depend entirely on mood.

Notes: Jasmin Sambac, ylang ylang, orange flower, frankincense, saffron, ginger, vetiver, guaiac wood, balsam, benzoin, Jamaican bay.

I received my sample courtesy of Amouage. Amouage Library Collection Opus VIII will be available April/May at Luckyscent.com, Parfumerie Nasreen, and Bergdorf Goodman in the US, and select stockists worldwide for $365 for 100 ml bottle.

Tama Blough, Deputy Editor

We have a small sample to offer one USA reader. To be eligible, please leave a comment with your favorite Amouage Library Fragrance, or why you would like to try Opus VIII and that you live in the USA. Draw ends March 9, 2014.

To read Creative Directors in Perfumery written by Christopher Chong, please click here. Reviews: Behind the Bottle with Christopher Chong on Opus V , Opus VI, and Opus VII

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