Photo Left:The Silver Fox Top Right: Dana Kline VP NorthAmerica, bottom right Penhaligons Instagram photo
The latest launch from Penhaligon's comes with a vibrant spring in its step, something we all could use a little of at this time of year. Due to grace those of us in Great Britian with its presence in early March, Ostara is "a modern interpretation of the delicate and incandescent daffodil flower. An olfactory journey – from bulb to bud to bloom." An English girl to my core, daffodils are so synonymous with the beginning of spring that it is impossible not to feel cheery when they start to pop up everywhere. Penhaligon's, alongside venerable perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour, designed Ostara as "a symbol of the optimism and revival of spring. In 1802, the distinguished poet William Wordsworth wrote about a sea of daffodils in his poem, ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud’. Excerpts have been included on the outer packaging of the fragrance to reflect the radiance of the flower.” The fragrance also launches with stunning hand-illustrated tissue papers for wrapping, and some of the most beautiful packaging I have seen from Penhaligon's in a while. Illustrator Melissa Bailey has produced exquisite watercolour depictions of the perfume and considering my love of Penhaligon's– and also all things painterly- you can imagine that I was positively bubbling over with excitement for this launch.
Left: Beatrix Potter Daffodil Illustration, Top Right Aislinn Adams, bottom right unknown
As ever with a Duchaufour floral creation, the conceptual image of a newly opening flower bud bursts forth from the very first spritz. It is a vibrant, translucent dab of intense yellow pigment spreading across damp watercolour paper, beginning with unfurling petals, sharpened slightly with fresh greens and citrus. A seamlessly light opening that deepens into luscious, fleshy hyacinth and narcissus pollen as the fragrance warms on the skin. Beeswax makes itself apparent with a gorgeous, realistic smudge of honeyed warmth, bringing the fruity blackcurrant along with it to sweeten the scent into full bloom. Ostara is completely beguiling by this point, so flooded with cool spring sunshine and textural shadows that one cannot help but long for warmer weather.
William Wordsworth; BBC Field of Daffodils
Bertrand Duchaufour puts his signature 'solar effect' to good use here. A creamy depth, ever so slightly reminiscent of sun lotion without a hint of tropical beach babe. It seems to bring all those white blooms into perfect harmony together, a daffodil trumpeting its spring chorus into a clear blue sky. The earthy, resinous base notes of the fragrance, blended smoothly with vanilla and musks, give Ostara deep roots. The scent doesn't drift away on a playful breeze, it stands tall and shines before wilting gently onto a bed of candied violets.
I am always excited by new fragrances from Penhaligon's but Ostara has surpassed my expectations. It is a truly glorious scent, long lasting with a quiet yet willful projection, easy to wear yet complex enough to satisfy the perfumista in me. The bottle and box are just so covetable and to spitz oneself lavishly in this perfume is like switching on the sunshine. This will be the one for you if you enjoy your florals bright, seamless and soft.
Ostara features the usual extensive note listing with top notes of Clementine, Bergamot, Red Berries CO2, Juniper, Spearmint, Blackcurrant Bud CO2, Violet Leaf Absolute, Leafy Effects and Aldehydes; a heart of Hyacinth, Narcissus Absolute, Beeswax Absolute, Cyclamen, Ylang-Ylang, Hawthorn and Wisteria; and base notes of Styrax Resinoid, Vanilla, Benzoin, Musk, Amber and White Wood Effects
Disclaimer- sample gratefully received from Penhaligon's London. Opinions my own.
Susie Baird, Senior contributor and Editor of Epiphany.
Editor’s Note: Ostara will be sold May 1, 2015 at Saks Fifth Avenue NYC and online 50 ml/$100 and 100ml $135
Thanks to Penhaligon’s we have a sample to a North American or EU reader. To be eligible please leave a comment with why you would like to try Ostara, where you live and your favorite Penhaligon’s Perfume. Draw closes March 4, 2015
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