Marrakech, photo Joanna Vestey for Ralph Lauren.com
Daybreak. The mournful wail of the Muezzin drifts over minarets and market stalls, breaking the quiet. A red sun begins to rise over the horizon, promising a hot day. Small breezes rustle the orange blossoms that thicken the air, their heady perfume curling around the awakening smells of Damascene roses and ripened fruit that beckon from behind stone walls.
Moroccan House Door by L F Ramos-Reyes
Jul et Mad’s Secrets du Paradis Rouge is a sensual ode to Marrakech – the Red City –from creative directors Madalina Stoica Blanchard and Julien Blanchard in concert with 2105 and 2016 Art and Olfaction award-winning perfumer Luca Maffei (2016 for Jul et Mad’s Nea). From Les Whites Collection and inspired by the couple's honeymoon, Secrets du Paradis Rouge is lush, pillowy and sensual as a silken divan, a bed or roses and orange blossom drenched in sweet citrus.
Marisa Berenson at her Morroco home, photograph by Hugues Laurent, W magazine May 2014.
Like its city of inspiration, Secrets du Paradis Rouge begins with a radiating rosiness as orange and tangerine trickle into a ruddy, fully open Damascene rose. In the first few moments, a candied, lipstick rose note swirls around the fruit. As the citrus and rose continue to unfold, they are joined by a heady bouquet of orange blossom, simultaneously downy and fleshy. The orange blossoms here are both bridal and carnal, the narcotic aspect of the flower emphasized by honey, their powdery softness deepened and made richer by their integration with rose.
Jardins Majorelle, Marrakech, stock photo
Ambrosial notes become more prominent in the middle stage as a tray of rosewater scented pastries arrives with honey, vanilla and almond to create a luscious marzipan note. But before this can turn syrupy, a savory tendril of clove winds through the orange blossom and honey, dislocating their sweetness.
Lupita Nyongo, photo by Mikael Jansson for Vogue, July 2014
In the dry down, the thick amber base becomes more noticeable and the composition seems to warm like a grove in a drowsy afternoon sun. You can almost hear the drone of honeybees beneath the rustle of the orange blossoms. Beyond the garden gate, a lover awaits.
Notes: Orange, tangerine, davana, neroli Marocco, cloves, artemisia, orange blossom, rose damascena, honey, almond, patchouli, timbersilk, vanilla, benzoin, amber, musk.
— Lauryn Beer, Editor
Disclaimer: Sample provided by Indigo Perfumery – many thanks. Opinions are my own.
Secrets du Paradis Rouge, photo Jul et Mad
Thanks to the continued generosity of Ann from Indigo Perfumery we have a 50 ml bottle of Secrets du Paradis Rouge for one registered reader in the CON US, you must register of your comment will not count. To be eligible please leave a comment with what appeals to you about Jul et Mad's Secrets du Paradis Rouge based onLauryn’s review and if you have a favorite Jul et Mad perfume. Draw closes 11/13/2016.
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