D.S. and Durga Black Magenta
D.S. & Durga Black Magenta, the latest fragrance from the brand, is meant to capture the essence of New York City’s nightlife. The name Black Magenta. Love it. My favorite color is magenta. And, if you know me, black is my complete year-round wardrobe. So, color me intrigued. But what is in a fragrance name? Does it set expectations or…? Let’s unpack what these two colors mean separately and together. Black, technically not a color, is considered an achromatic color, like white and gray since it doesn’t have a hue. However, black and white are defined as distinct colors in the visual art world. Magenta takes its name from aniline dye, originally called “fuchsine”, after the fuchsia flower. Henri Matisse and other painters of the Fauvist movement (1905) were the first to make major use of magenta to shock and make an impression on the viewer’s emotions. More recently, magenta was a popular color in the 1960s psychedelic art world, and along with black it was utilized extensively in rock concert posters.
David Seth Moltz and Kavi, Founders of D.S. and Durga
New York at night in abstract aromatics—pineapple lights, iris as twilight’s purple tones, dianthus as magenta make-up, and darkness in amber. Loud. Brash. A bit trashy. A bit classy. -David Seth Moltz.
Pink Pineapple stock
The word “pineapple” originates in the etymology of two distinct terms. Derived from the Guaraní word “naná”, meaning “fragrant” and influenced by the Tupi word “naná”, which refers to another plant. Europeans discovered this exotic fruit in South America, and they called it “pineapple” because it resembled pine cones (from the Latin “ananas” meaning “pine cone”). Pineapple fragrances are often used as a main component because pineapple perfume oil is stronger than most fruity scents. One of the most popular pineapple-forward perfumes would be Creed’s Aventus. Pineapple can add an exotic, refreshing facet to a fragrance.
NYC Night Club-Hernando Courtright©
But how does it correspond to New York nights? I had questions. Being a former record executive and manager, New York clubs were my playground for over thirty years. Let’s see. So what does this pink pineapple scent smell like? Sweet, sharp, and here so full of a dirty fragrant flavor. Pink pineapple is sweeter than the standard pineapple. Many pineapple fragrances can also smell like a tropical vacation in a bottle but David Moltz’s pink pineapple is no vacation. This is an intense decadent Manhattan circa club from hell pineapple. This pink pineapple dominates for the first half hour (I know!) before eventually handing it off to the dark side. The distinctive qualities of the pink pineapple are sweet, loud, and smoky. Got my attention.
The standout in the heart notes is the floral orris which brings on a powdery, and musky scent that is imperceptibly feminine with just a faint cosmetic-like whiff. The magenta dianthus throws off a delicious spicy scent, similar to clove. And the orange flower has a creaminess that imparts an orangesicle-ness to it. the base notes (wait for them!) is where David Seth Moltz wants to take you. The darkness of the black amber gives out an animalistic sensuality which is counterbalanced by the Balkan tobacco with its dry hay/ cigarette-like essence. The sandalwood is where that earthy woodiness closes it all out in Goldilocks style. For me, the detraction is that it is not quite as “loud” as I was expecting and the longevity is not as long as I desire. Regardless of the makeup of notes in the bottle, with this fragrance house, you are smelling the individual perfumer’s vision – something definitionally idiosyncratic, sometimes a little peculiar, but always compelling.
Top Notes: pink pineapple, galbanum, black pepper; Heart Notes: Orris concrete, magenta dianthus, orange flower; Base Notes: black amber, Balkan tobacco, sandalwood
You can find us in the club with D.S. and Durga Black Magenta! The most inclusive night club in NYC-spray and be there. To best experience this fragrance, the brand recommends pairing Black Magenta with loud music. Listen to BLACK MAGENTA – playlist by D.S. AND DURGA | Spotify.
So David, where’s Jim Carrol?!?
Disclaimer: Black Magenta was sent to me by D.S .& DURGA. My opinions are mine and only mine.
Hernando Courtright ~ Senior Events Contributor and New York Brand Ambassador
All Photos are courtesy of D.S. &DURGA except where credited otherwise and cannot be reproduced without permission.
D.S. and Durga Black Magenta
Thanks to the generosity of David and Kavi we have a D.S. and Durga Black Magenta sample set of four for one registered reader in the USA ONLY. You must register here. To be eligible please leave a comment on what you enjoyed about Hernando’s review of D.S. and DURGA Black Magenta. The draw closes on 04/17/2024 and the winner will be announced within 10 days.
ÇaFleureBon has written extensively about D.S. and Durga over the years. Please read Hernando’s review of Big Sur Eucalyptus, Deep Dark Vanilla, Rockaway Beach, and WE LOVE THIS STORE: DS & Durga NYC.
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