J’s image of Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.3

The “This is Not a Blue Bottle” series by Histoires de Parfums draws inspiration from René Magritte’s iconic work, “The Treachery of Images”, created in the 1920s. Magritte, a Belgian surrealist painter, masterfully used images and text in this series, influenced by both children’s literature and his early advertising career. One of his most renowned paintings features an image of a pipe accompanied by the phrase “Ceci n’est pas une pipe,” which translates from French to “This is not a pipe.” This artwork challenges our understanding of objects and their representations, suggesting that an image can simultaneously embody and diverge from the actual object.

“Ceci n’est pas une pipe” René Magritte via Wikipedia.

It transforms something meant for visual consumption into a concept that transcends mere appearance into an idea that changes the way we think or experience the world around us. Perfume does this so beautifully, evoking deep scent memories through its abstract nature, creating an interplay between the tangible and the surreal giving us a rich tapestry of possibilities to explore, to think and to dream about. Perfumer Julien Rasquinet takes us on this journey with Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.3, where exquisite materials swirl in concentric circles, transitioning from shadow to illumination as we pursue their ephemeral trails as they burn and flow.

Perfumer Julian Rasquinet and Histoires de Parfums founder and creative director Gerald Ghislain courtesy of the brand

“If the dream is a translation of waking life, waking life is also a translation of the dream.” -Rene Magritte

J’s image of Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.3

Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.3 opens with glimmering metallic saffron dances with a sharp green bite of rose, creating a cool atmosphere around you. Yet, as you draw closer, the warmth of the saffron resonates gently, vibrating in a soft, spiced metallic glow. Rich leather notes radiate from the saffron, revealing a subtle animalic purr, while a gentle softness smoothens the wilder edges of the intense saffron. This full-bodied perfume lets saffron envelop you in a comforting warmth, kissed lightly with an aromatic sweetness and a hint of salt, enhancing the sensation of your skin, but better, while adding a little something giving a more sensual sensation. The interplay of rich saffron and leather harmonises the light and dark notes beautifully.

Portrait of Surréaliste René Magritte via Wikipedia

For Magritte, what is concealed is more important than what is open to view: this was true both of his own fears and of his manner of depicting the mysterious. In Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.3, the concealed blood orange plays a pivotal role, its dark citrus sweetness skillfully softening the sharper notes of saffron, resulting in a smooth, rounded experience akin to the circular design of the bottle, its hidden in the blue void of the centre, there in form but not as image. The bottles circular design mirrors how the blood orange and saffron feel as they interact. Rose also envelops the blood orange’s freshness, drawing its deep citrus sweetness into its petals making it there but not, while soft flames of saffron flicker with metallic velvet sheen at their tips.

The Art of Living, 1967 by Rene Magritte via Wikipedia

The rose also softens the feel of the perfumes more wood animalic edges, it adds florals velvet fur feel to the dark saffron leather. Saffron is truly the star in This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.3. Its generous presence allows other elements to unfold and amplify its intricate facets, giving us a stunning experience of saffron. Patchouli deepens the saffron’s profile, introducing a rich, earthy undertone that lingers beneath the saffron. It’s got hints of dry cacao and woody facets that play off brighter creamy clean musks, illuminating the darker notes as the brightness shines. Saffron oozes a vibrant opulence; it’s bold and commanding, effortlessly drawing you into the fragrance while allowing the other materials to shine around the edges, letting the endless swirl of rose, leather and saffron sit out in front.

The Banquet, 1958 by Rene Magritte courtesy of reneemaagritte.org

The interplay between the saffron and patchouli in This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.3, gives a wild, almost gasoline-like aroma at some point, letting the rose soften into vapours, tapping into a more adventurous musicality as the musks take hold as the subtle saffron smoke and flames smoulder. It feels as if your skin radiates warmth, as this luxurious saffron scent envelops you in leather like a second skin, as patchouli drips of sophistication. The perfumes composition has a very structured feel; with many materials have this powerful vertical thrust creating abstract shapes and planes. It’s the soft, smoky richness diffusing at the edges that gives This is not a blue bottle 1.3 a stunning abstract feel in the dry down. The dark heart of the leather shines like a neon light, obscuring the mysteries hidden within, reminiscent of Magritte’s artistic style. He famously stated, “Art evokes the mystery without which the world would not exist.” In this way, This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.3 reflects this sentiment, as the saffron weaves into a sleek leather darkness while simultaneously flowing towards a soft rose that dissolves into an enigmatic smokiness, allowing the rich saffron to haunt the air, with patchouli oozing of a deep, earthy elegance. This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.3 is a whole other delicious dream.

Notes: Blood Orange, Rose, Saffron, Patchouli, Leather.

Disclosure: Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.3 was sent to J to review by Histoires de Parfums. Thoughts and nose are his own.

 

–J @wearescentient, Senior Editor, artist and olfactive writer.

 

J’s image of Histoires de Parfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.3

Thanks to the generosity of Histoires de Parfums we have a 2 oz bottle for one registered reader in the USA, OR EU or your entry will not count. You must be a registered CaFleureBon reader. (if you are not sure if you are registered click here (you must register on our site or your entry will be invalid). To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest based on J’s review and where you live. Do you have a favourite Histoires de Parfums fragrance? Draw closes 9/25/2024

Available at Histoires de Parfums online and fine stockists.

Please watch Steven’s video of This is Not A Blue Bottle 1.7 here (also by Julien Rasquinet). Lauryn’s reviews of 1.4 and 1.5 here

Read about Julien Rasquinet in our Young Perfumer Series (now Senior Perfumer with CPL Aromas).

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial  @histoiresdeparfums @julienrasquinet @wearescentient

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