New Perfume Review: Neela Vermeire Creations Pichola + Walking Weightless on The Water Draw

neela vermeire pichola perfume

Neela Vermeire Creations Pichola

Award winning perfumer Neela Vermiere ,Creative Director of Neela Vermeire Creations has launched her long awaited new fragrance, Pichola, her 6th collaboration with the master perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour at Excence 2015.   Named for Lake Pichola, the crown jewel and central focus of the princely city of Udaipur, Pichola is another fragrant journey to the land of her heritage- India. “A myriad of colourful historic, architectural and spiritual reflections fall on this splendid water body – the sunlight and moonlight of each season bringing out the eternal and timeless beauty of Lake Pichola." With top notes of cardamom, cinnamon, saffron, juniper, magnolia, neroli oil, clementine and bergamot, heart notes of orange blossom absolute, rose absolute, tuberose absolute, Jasmine sambac, and ylang-ylang and a woody base of benzoin absolute, sandalwood, driftwood and vetiver from Haiti, this dreamy white floral fragrance has a light touch that sets the mood for quiet contemplation.

neela vermeire bertrand duchaufour

Bertrand Duchaufour and Neela Vermeire

My favourite from Neela Vermeire Creations had been the joyous Bombay Bling, with all its juice and bounce. Neela and Bertrand Duchaufour create together in a controlled yet vibrant style, the fragrances all understated but crystal clear in their intentions. This artistic direction is one I greatly admire; I've never felt comfortable in loud fragrances. Pichola is yet another lesson in the subtle control and manipulation of potentially extrovert notes. For me, wearing Pichola is rather like being blessed with the spirit of the notes within the fragrance, rather than adorning myself with their physical bodies. It's a highly conceptual, introverted scent that makes me feel very still.

Tatiana Kazakova  2 crescent  moon

Tatiana Kasakova Fish Dreams

Pichola opens like a slowly setting crescent moon, reflected upon the lake as a bluish grey dawn lights the sky. Very quiet, yet luminous and translucent. The magnolia unfurls in the half-light, delicately spiced and closely followed by all her white-flower crowned sisters. I can envisage a ghostly parade of figures in flowing robes, walking weightless across the water.

Tatiana Kazakova  5

Tatiana Kasakova

The spices in Pichola seem almost to be part of the very nature of white blooms, rather than an edition to make them more colourful. I do not detect any dusty dryness or piquancy, just subtle warmth that glows inside the heart of the scent, which becomes sweeter and softly creamy as it develops a gentle drift of unearthly delight. The blending of notes is totally seamless and remains feather light in character, a mere exhaled breath as a brand new day dawns. It is such a gentle fragrance, one which requires the wearer to tread softly and think deeply.

Tatiana Kazakova  4

Tatiana Kasakova

Tuberose is most definitely present on my skin, in a way I've not experienced before. It's like a ghost of itself, the fragile outline of the usually heady, indolic flower. This is by no means a bad thing, the overall composition is so exquisitely pale that everything must sigh together in harmony, which indeed it does. Pichola is for white floral lovers who want to whisper, for fans of oriental fragrances who prefer morning dew to sultry nights. This is an exceptionally delicate and luminous perfume for those who are willing to listen quietly.

Disclaimer- Sample gratefully received from Neela Vermeire, opinions my own.

Susie Baird– Sr Contributor and editor of Epiphany.

Editor's Note: Susie chose the mystical artwork of Russian Tatiana Karakova, whose graphic and digital designs use vivid colors yet are eerily surreal, especially her portrayal of flowers, sea creatures and animals.

neela vermeire travel spray pichola

Thanks to the generosity of Neela Vermeire we have a 8ml travel spray for any reader in the world. To be eligible please leave a comment with what appeals to you about Pichola, where you live and your favorite Neela Vermeire Creations Perfume . Draw closes April 6, 2015

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.

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51 comments

  • What a beautiful review! Ever since I heard Neela Vermeire was coming out with a new fragrance, I wanted to try it–whatever it was–because her fragrances are so extraordinary. But the list of notes for this one sounds especially appealing to me, and I love the idea of a “dreamy white floral fragrance has a light touch that sets the mood for quiet contemplation.” So this review made me want to try it even more! I live in Berkeley, California, USA (where a floral fragrance with a light touch makes a lot more sense that a dramatic one).

    Thanks for the draw!

  • Be still my beating heart 🙂 as I love my white florals and orientals the combination of both in one is a dream come true especially when reading the full list of the contents, I have only ever been lucky enough to try one previous scent and only once and that was the much loved Bombay Bling so the chance to try the latest is so kind. I am in the UK.

  • This one sounds really lovely. I am a huge tuberose fan, but I love that this sounds like a quieter fragrance. I’m also intrigued by the spices, I don’t associate them with tuberose in my head. Thanks for the draw, in in the US!

  • dottieCHI says:

    Lovely review! Pichola appeals to me because every Neela Vemeire creation I’ve smelled has been among my favorite fragrances ever. This week I received my discovery set, after quickly draining my samples. I think Mohur is my favorite, but depending on the day I may choose Trayee or Ashoka. I’m in the US.

  • I am really curious to try this, as I so enjoyed the other Neela Vemeire creations. White flowers is probably my favorite group, at least in summer. I have quite a few powerhouse scents, so I am interested to see how this is handled with a light hand. I am in the US.

  • I haven’t smelled a Neela Vemeire fragrance I haven’t loved. So of course I want to try this one too especially after reading this lyrical review. My favorite is Ashoka. I live in the US.

  • tati_gheller says:

    Susie, your writing touches my heart every single time. Thank you so much for your beautiful reviews, and such exquisite choice of accompanying artwork.

    With Pichola you had me at “introvert”. I love white flowers, but often have to choose something else to wear because I just don’t always feel comfortable with all that va va voom, especially when it comes to tubereuse. This seems like the perfect tuberose for me. I’ve yet to try any of Neela Vermeire creations, hopefully Pichola will break the dry spell!
    Thank you for the draw, and I’m in Russia.

  • I am a big white floral fan so this one piques my interest right from the start. The addition of spices to the white flowers also sound very interesting. I have not smelled many white floral perfumes that have spices in them. I have not tried anything from Neela Vermeire. Looking forward to trying this one.

    I live in Canada. Thanks for the draw.

  • Dubaiscents says:

    Bombay Bling is my favorite of the line and so I really think this one will be a winner for me as well. It would be nice to have a tuberose I could wear more often than some of the heavy hitters like Carnal Flower or Fracas. Thanks for the draw! I live in the UAE.

  • Dubaiscents says:

    Bombay Bling is my favorite of the line so I can’t wait to try this one. I love tuberose and would love to have a lighter one I could wear everyday. Thanks for the draw! I live in the UAE.

  • I am interested in the magnolia and cinnamon notes. Ashoka is my favorite. I live in the US, thank you for the chance!

  • I very like this review. Pichola sounds great. I had never tried any of Neela Vermeire Creations Perfumes.
    I live in Europe.

  • If it opens like a slowly rising crescent moon and smells like unearthly delight, I don’t think I would have any excuse for not wanting to try it. And I really enjoy Bombay Bling. I’m in the US.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    with notes like cinnamon, saffron, and tuberose, Pichola may be a good candidate for one of the most beautiful tuberose scents, in the vein of Poison, Cerutti Femme, and Sander 4. My favorite Neela Vermeire creation is Mohor. I have the discovery set with all in 8ml so this would be a great addition..thanks for the generous draw. I am in the US

  • Pichola is a truly beautiful scent. Susie describes it perfectly, right down to the Tuberose. My favorite is Bombay Bling, a very Happy scent.
    I live in the U.S. Thanks for the draw!!

  • The Neela Vermeire fragrances are all remarkably well done and I’m really looking forward to trying Pichola. It’s also the perfect time of year for me to start wearing white florals. Of the previous releases, Mohur, particularly in extrait, is my favorite. I’m in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • this sounds very quietly inspiring and beautiful. I am a yogini and am particularly attracted to the indian notes mixed with florals. Lovely choice of artwork. Thanks for the draw. I live in the US.

  • A floriental that whispers in the morning has made me very curious. I am also very interested in how the place name and that beautiful picture that we see of it everywhere is related to the perfume. Mohur is lovely, In the US.

  • I am intrigued by the combination of tuberose and spices in Pichola, since tuberose often has a menthol aspect that would seem to clash with cinnamon and saffron. I want to smell how Duchaufour accomplished it. I like Neela’s Ashoka, too. I’m in the US.

  • I am a big fan of tuberose, therefore any fragrance that has tuberose in it is a must try for me. Unfortunately, I have not tried any fragrance from Neela, but I think Pichola would be a great start.

    I am from EU. Thanks!

  • What it appeals to me from this perfume is the fact it is from Neela Vermeire, that’s all I need to know because I have loved all her fragances, Bombay Bling being my favourite. For the fisrt time I have loved a fruity scent and besides it cheers me up. Wonderful! I also like Ashoka and Trayee but I could only wear them during winter …..So, and now comes Pichola! I know this lake because I have been once there, but I remind I was a bit upset there because I had just have an ayurvedic massage and I had my hair completely oily and I disliked this (the massage was amazing) and I wanted to arrive at the hotel during my one-day visit to Udaipur. WHat a pity! Because I remember it was a very nice lake with a white palace in the middle , like a fairy tale (whith an oily-haired princess). Now, I could imagine a nice long-haired princess smelling to white flowers and staring at this mythic place.
    I,m in EU. Thanks for the draw.

  • Thank you for the draw, I am so excited about this new release! I love me some white florals, especially tuberose, and my favorite perfume by Neela is Mohur, although I also own Trayee and love it.

  • thegoddessrena says:

    I haven’t tried any of her scents yet but I really like the idea of a sighing oriental. I am in the US

  • Thank you for the great review, I LOVE Bombay Bling, and someone mentioned that this one was reminiscent of that, so I suspect for me it will be love at first sniff!! Mmmm…..florientals, love ’em! I’m in the USA

  • Roseinrose says:

    Pichola notes of cardamom, cinnamon, saffron, juniper, magnolia, neroli oil, clementine and bergamot, orange blossom absolute, rose absolute, tuberose absolute, Jasmine sambac, and ylang-ylang sandalwood, driftwood vetiver all these white florals make a noteworthy fragrance to me.
    ” wearing Pichola is rather like being blessed with the spirit of the notes within the fragrance, rather than adorning myself with their physical bodies. It’s a highly conceptual, introverted scent that makes me feel very still …”
    I never had the chance to experience any perfumes from this house so I have no favorite one.
    I live in EU and I thank you for this review and draw.

  • I haven’t tried any of her scents yet. Bombay Bling sounds lovely.

    I’m in Canada

  • Thank you for a beautiful review! I love the idea of a weightless, introverted white floral. The only NV perfume I have tried is Bombay Bling, which never fails to delight. I am in the US, thank you!

  • I am half Indian, so this definitely interests me! I love Indian cuisine and especially spices.

    ‘With top notes of cardamom, cinnamon, saffron, juniper, magnolia, neroli oil, clementine and bergamot”

    Just reading that alone had me speechless. I definitely will pick this up in the future. Unfortunately I haven’t tried anything from this house :(, but that is sure to change!

    I’m in Canada.

  • CHARLOTTE says:

    Pichola is one of the most beautiful renditions of tuberose that I have ever had the pleasure of smelling. It is not a loud or verbose tuberose, but a quiet, gentle and beautiful white floral tuberose. This is a masterpiece of white florals in my opinion.

  • A dreamy, quiet, spicy white floral sounds perfect for the spring. I’m in the US, and my favorite Neela Vermeire perfume so far is the joyous Bombay Bling, a perfume that made me laugh when I tried it.

  • All of Neela’s fragrances re so well done and balanced, I’m sure this one is no exception. This sentence is intriguing: “Pichola is yet another lesson in the subtle control and manipulation of potentially extrovert notes.” I would very much love to try this.

    My favoriate NV fragrance is,…oh dear, I have to pick. Probably Bombay Bling, although the Mohur extrait is to die for!

    I’m in the U.S.

  • I can pretty relate to the idea of wearing the spiritual power of the flowers interlaced in Pichola. Moreover, I am always looking for the natural orange blossom scent, but almost all the fragrances I know have that piercing effect, that sharp note of the first sniff, which is sometimes disturbing, sometimes overwhelming, sometimes unbearable. I hope that the delicateness of Pichola is what I am looking for when craving orange blossom centered perfume!
    I have only tried Mohur edp, and it is a marvelous reading of a modest spiced rose. I love it!
    Thank you for the chance! I am in Bulgaria (EU).

  • I’ve read so much about Neela Vermeire but have never had the delight of trying any.

    Summer is (boringly enough) white floral time for me and I like to coordinate special perfumes for summer vacations. Pichola’s tuberose with spices would a good fit with a trip I have planned the first week of August.

    I’M in the USA and thanks for the drawing.

  • I sometimes have a hard time with full-blown tuberose, but a translucent tuberose sounds nice. Mohur is my favorite so far. I’m in the US. Thanks!

  • There is something spiritual about the elements in harmony together without one being the dominant partner. I love the way Susie describes this as “stills you, requires the wearer to tread softly and think deeply.” I find the Neela’s fragrance evoke in me emotions and actions that I am not aware of until I spend quiet time with each one. These words are something that I think many of us need, right now! We go and go without taking time to reflect and appreciate. I am a fan of NVC a favorite…. to difficult a choice for me to make at this moment. My first love was of course Mohur. I live in the US

  • With such a lovely review, who can resist trying this scent? From the beginning comparing it to “a slowly setting crescent moon, reflected upon the lake as a bluish grey dawn lights the sky. Very quiet, yet luminous and translucent” to the end describing it as a fragrance for those preferring morning dew it captured me.
    Haven’t tried any Neela Vermeire scent yet so I’d love a chance to do so.
    I live in Sweden (EU).

  • I’m always on the hunt for the perfect tuberose scent and this one sounds perfect. The reviewer Susie makes Pichola sound gorgeous. Luminous and delicate is just perfect, especially for the upcoming seasons. My favorite Neela Vermeire fragrance until now is also Bombay Bling!

    I live in the Netherlands. Thanks for this lovely draw!

  • I am just starting to enjoy tuberose and would love to try this scent. I live in the US and haven’t yet tried any of Neela’s creations. Thank you.

  • I have never been able to resist a white floral fragrance, be it airy and romantic or lush and heady. Pichola sounds exactly like what I need for this volatile transition between winter and spring (we just had snow for Easter 🙂 – transparent enough for the brisk mornings, while carrying a promise of a lively summer garden (to warm up my sun-starved soul) and a hint of oriental opulence to be unfolded as the weather grows more favorable. Also, lately I have been fiercely obsessed with saffron.
    I haven’t tried any of the brand’s other scents, but I plan on correcting that in the near future, they all sound like something I’d love.
    Oh, and I live in Canada, eh. 🙂

  • Pichola sounds so lovely! Thank you for the review and draw. For a long time I stayed away from white flowers because I thought they had to be “loud” –only in the last few years have I been learning their subtlety and dreaminess.

    The “lesson in the subtle control and manipulation of potentially extrovert notes” is one I want to keep learning!
    Never imagined a tuberose scent as ” a highly conceptual, introverted scent that makes me feel very still.” But that’s what I love!
    Trayee is my favorite but also the only one I’ve tried. USA

  • I enjoy Neela Vermeire’s fragrances; Ashoka and Mohur are my favorites. I am very curious about her take on tuberose and would love to find out. I am in the EU. Thanks for the draw.

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    The top notes of cardamom, cinnamon, saffron, juniper appeal to me about Pichola, I live in the US and have not yet had the pleasure of wearing a Neela Vermeire Creations Perfume.

  • Latifah S says:

    I am most interested in how the notes listed will blend together in such a subtle way (per your description). I live in the US. Thanks,

  • I’m intrigued by how complex it sounds. I have a hard time with white florals, but this sounds multilayered and blended to perfection! Thanks for the chance!

  • I absolutely love spices, and fragrances that incorporate them correctly. And this one seems perfectly blended. It seems like a great choice for a spring day. Unfortunately I haven’t tried anything from this house, but I wouldn’t mind starting now! I’m in Canada and thank you for the draw!

  • Well, i love tuberose! And the the way the spices in Pichola are described, like they seamlessly become part of thew very nature of the floral, intrigues me. I am in the US, and Mohur is my favorite of Neela’s. Thanks for the draw!

  • FearsMice says:

    I love tuberose in its natural state, but am a bit afraid of bombastic tuberose perfumes! Pichola, however, sounds lovely: whispering, delicate… Of the original three scents, I was sure that I wouldn’t like Mohur or Bombay Bling very much, but after trying them I found I was wrong: Mohur is gorgeous, and BB is one of the happiest perfumes I know. Thanks for the generous draw; I’m in the US.

  • I love the sound of this perfume. It sounds absolutely regal. I love spices, woods, and white florwers. I have not smelled a convincing magnolia note but if anyone could bottle it, I believe it might be Neela Vermeire. I have tried Bombay Bling and it was so sumptuous… cheerful, but too decadent to be silly. I’m in the US; thanks for the draw!

  • Greg Mayne says:

    This scent sounds so upscale and fancy, it must be a joy to wait and to experience. Spices always make me feel good and this one has the perfect note combinations. I haven’t tried anything from this house 🙁 but Bombay Bling sounds good!

    Canada