François Villon may have done well to lament the passing of time, and the “snows of yesteryear “in his Ballade des dames du temps jadis.

 

 

Europe is experiencing a winter of epic proportions; we in North America find ourselves embalmed in the aftermath of our first nor’easter.

Lush ambers- and the comfort they provide- are a warming, welcome antidote.

 

 

 

 

Parfums D’Empire’s Ambre Russe.[released in 2003] is the creation of brilliant perfumer Marc-Antoine Corticchiato; in it he recaptures Romanov decadence with a fury.

 

 

 

Happy we, who can relive the glory of Siberian snows and fin-de-siècle opulence at a mere spritz!

 

 

 

Ambre Russe fairly explodes upon the scene with its exuberant booziness-

A blast of icy vodka and the fruity aldehydic fizz of champagne.

 

 

 

What follows evokes samovars of strong, smoky tea…incense of the Orthodox persuasion, and an abundance of ambergris and spices….

Cumin, coriander, cinnamon converse intimately in this rarified elixir, where no expense is spared.

Russian leather from elegant boots and gloves interweaves its luscious refrain; fine tobacco tendrils greet us from every corner of the ballroom.

 

 

 

We find ourselves at the Winter Palace in February 1903, attending the last of the Romanov fancy dress balls.

 

 

 

Little do we know that, in less than two short years-

The Bloody Sunday Massacre will herald the end of the Russian Empire as we know it.

Tonight we eat, drink, dance, and make merry- the last decadent swan song of the era.

 

 

 

The atmosphere is dizzying, a bacchanal.

Such excess must inevitably end in revolution.

 

 

 

 

Do not deceive yourself, however.

This potent potion is not a period piece.

 

 

 

Original and intriguing beyond one’s expectations, Ambre Russe showers extravagance, like the sable blanket upon our laps as we urge on the troika’s horses through the snowdrifts.

The fur muff in which we nestle our frosty fingers on this bitter wintry night ride.

 

 

 

It is a more affordable luxury in chaotic times-

Anytime.

To comfort and regale, a tale before the fire, awaiting the telling.

 

 

 

Photo Credits:

Francois Villon woodcut: go-11.blogspot.com
Beautiful Russian winter: bulbish.com
Marc-Antoine Corticchiato: fr-fr.facebook.com
Ambre Russe image: lamurefavorite.com
Romanov Faberge egg: andrejkoymasky.com
Perrier-Jouet label: bdp.com
Russian vodka and caviar:russianvodka.com
Russian  antique samovar: booksatoz.com
Eastern Orthodox censer: jennyjones.com
Hermitage museum: soyeonhong.blogspot.com
Nicholas and Alexandra, 1903 ball, in fancy dress: wikipedia.com
Romanov crown and orb: tristarmedia.com
Romanov coat of arms: rollintl.com
Doctor Zhivago movie set: yellowtrace.com.au
Troika ride: flickr.com
Fireplace: newyork.cbslocal.com

–Ida Meister, Senior Editor