It was as if a steady gravitational pull led me toward Rouge Bunny Rouge Fragrances during the Elements Showcase February 2014 Edition, once again. Smoky flacons etched with botanicals, their reflection blurred against mirrored glass, an image of two inquisitive bunnies standing face to face. In the hand the bottle feels solid and strong, and its textured design hints at delicacy, both a prelude to the juice resting inside. Once on the blotter these fragrances exhibit an unpredictable mix of accords that embody creative rigor, a familiarity that is hard to describe, and distinct character.
Allegria and Muse are the latest additions to the Fragrant Confections Collection that will launch next month. Overall, the thread of the perfume collection speaks to a modern floral transparency in fragrance, yet each has been directed to stay dynamic and dramatic. This idea plays out well with the two new fragrances.
Feria de Jerez, Andalucía
Allegria comes alive with its crisp joyous nature, and transports me to the spring ferias or festivals in Andalucía. It captures an olfactive moment in time, reminding me how treasured perfume moments are, as eventually they must all dissipate. Allegria breaks through the last weeks of winter and is a reminder that the days are starting to get longer. I smell the bitter juicy pulp of the Grapefruit that feels so very alive in this fragrance. There is also an exciting take on a citrusy green effect that includes Mint, Black Currant Leaves, Eucalyptus, Basil, and the Grapefruit continue here. Its heart pulls everything in and together, Mimosa Absolute makes this fragrance incredibly special, the Mimosa with its hues of honeyed violets calm the top and blends with the base of Cedar, Dry Amber, Moss, Musk, Hawthorn, and Tonka Bean making this fragrance charming and disorienting. I love that kind of mix, incredible.
Ansel Adams, Aspens
Muse explores a white and black palette that beckons us to take a nighttime stroll, imagine the air hypnotic, mossy, and earthy. Muse enters a darker landscape, if Allegria asks us to shed our wintry layers, Muse asks us to wear our dark hooded cape as we enter the wood. Initially before we jump into the depth there is a creamy quality comes forth, I smell Bergamot, and a youthful burst of Freesia, then soon a rush the kind that comes from the indolic notes, Jasmine Absolute and Jasmine Sambac. The Jasmine and the Moss create an interesting moist earthy floral tone that is a tad dirty. Its base brings a woody, leathery, animalic quality with Cedar, Amber Gris, and Musk. There is Agarwood here too, but Muse seems to be walking a line, a delicate tightrope, it stays buoyant even through its depth and darkness.
Alexandra de Montfort
I met Alexandra de Montfort, Founder and Creative Director of Rouge Bunny Rouge, while at Elements, and I wasn’t at all surprised to find out about her deep knowledge and fascination with perfumery. This is not someone who just wanted to add a fragrance line to her beauty products for the sake of doing so, as she put it adding perfume to her line was a dream come true. Perfume has long been her passion and the end product truly reflects this. Perfume is something she thinks about every day. It shows.
I received my samples from Rouge Bunny Rouge. Allegria and Muse will be available starting in March on the website and select stockists such as Beautyhabit.com and Twisted Lily.
-Valerie Vitale, Editor
We have a sample set of these two fragrances to give away to one lucky reader living in the US. Please let us know which of these appeals to you and where you live. Draw ends February 24.2014.
If you missed our Braving the Elements at the Elements Showcase February 2014 wrap-up click here
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.