Study of the West Australian Fire Tree by Marianne North

One of the joys of discovery is to find something where you least expect to find it. Now my latest version of this phenomenon happened on Sunday of last May’s Sniffapalooza Spring Fling. What did I discover? A Fragrance. A Fragrance, you say? Shouldn’t you find a fragrance at something called Sniffapalooza? Yes that is true but as part of the Emerging Artisans Uncorked lunch it was a fragrance so unlike everything else I smelled and so personal it is hard not to feel that this was much more than a fragrance.

For the founders of Nomad Two Worlds the creation of Raw Spirit Fire Tree is part of a much larger initiative. Nomad Two Worlds was founded by photographer Russell James. The lofty goal is “to elevate public understanding and respect for the world’s indigenous and marginalized cultures through art and commercial collaborations.” As an early step towards that Raw Spirit Fire Tree is tailor made.

Raw Spirit Fire Tree is as simple a fragrance as you can ask for, containing three oils as ingredients: Australian Fire Tree oil, Australian sandalwood, and a distillation of Coconut oil. This is meant to evoke the area of Western Australia where the Nyoongar community, who are the custodians of the fire tree, see it as a symbol of rebirth. There is also a belief that the fire tree oil has the ability to be a strange attractor. The fire tree oil used here is wild harvested with the assistance of the Nyoongar people with an eye to sustainability and cultural respect. Luca Turin has been quoted as saying about fire tree oil, “In terms of natural ingredients. I find the Australian fire tree amazing-it’s practically a perfume in itself.” From the moment I first sniffed Raw Spirit Fire Tree I was struck by how many nuances were displayed in such a simple composition. Over the time I have had to wear Raw Spirit Fire Tree I have also found it to be very mercurial in the way it seems to be different on a day-to-day basis and that is also surprisingly pleasant.

Outback Life by EJ Cairns

When I first apply Raw Spirit Fire Tree I am struck by what I call a desert accord of sun cooked wood over a slightly dusty, slightly floral beginning. This intensifies over the early going as the sandalwood becomes less sun baked and more alive as the fire tree adds in a bit of almost sugary sweetness. This is where I struggle to describe the effect of the fire tree as at times it has the spun sugar quality of maltol and other times it has the rich golden sweetness of honey. This all settles down into a slightly animalic accord that feel a bit like untanned leather and that combines well with the sandalwood.

Raw Spirit Fire Tree is an oil based formula which wears very close to the skin and has average longevity.

As I said at the beginning Raw Spirit Fire Tree is the kind of fragrance which truly feels different from the other offerings in the fragrance world. It carries an authenticity which resonates throughout its development.

Russell James

I am very impressed with this first step and at Sniffapalooza I was given a sample of the second fragrance which will be released this fall called Sea Spirit Pearl. One of the partners in the Nomad Two Worlds project is Atlas South Sea Pearl, Ltd; together they are known as World Senses. This second fragrance captures the natural scent of the pearl, I can’t wait to tell you more. I was also told exclusively for CaFleureBon that the third fragrance will be called Raw Spirit-Desert Blush “based on the rare flower of the Boronia (native to Western Australia).”

Disclosure: This review was based on a sample of Raw Spirit Fire Tree I received at Sniffapalooza.

–Mark Behnke, Managing Editor

Editor’s Note: Raw Spirit Fire Tree is available at only two stores worldwide: Atlas Pearls and Perfume in Claremont, Perth, Australia and ABC Carpet & Home in New York City. It is also available on the website at this link.