J’s image of Neela Vermeire Creations Ashoka, Niral and Trayee.
Doing nothing is nearly impossible these days, I don’t mean the lost on the internet doom scrolling ‘doing nothing’, but the kind of doing nothing that allows your brain to slow and day dream, connect the dots and find new ways of seeing and thinking about the world, rather than just acting and reacting with only a surface engagement. One of my new favourite thinkers is Byung-Chul Han, a South Korean-born philosopher and cultural theorist living in Germany. He makes a compelling case for the value of inactivity in his recent book, Vita Contemplativa: In Praise of Inactivity. According to Han, without moments of pause or hesitation, our actions become mere blind reactions. He believes that life derives its “radiance” from inactivity, but in our fast-paced lives, we are losing the ability to be inactive. Even leisure, which should provide a break from work, has become part of the same logic of constant activity. Turning our every action into content to be consumed on social media.
Byung-Chul Han via Wikipedia and Vita Contemplativa via Polity Press
Han argues that leisure time lacks both the intensity of life and contemplation. Instead of being a time for living freely, it has become a time we kill to avoid boredom, a dead time rather than a time of true freedom and vitality. Although Han’s book is described as an ode to the art of being still, his definition of inactivity may surprise you. He challenges the notion that inactivity is synonymous with laziness. Instead, he presents it as a powerful tool for fostering creative thought. Inactivity, according to Han, is not the opposite of activity but rather something that nourishes and fuels it. We have forgotten that inactivity, which may not produce anything tangible, represents a vibrant and intense form of life. It is precisely in these moments of stillness that we can find happiness and fulfilment. Inactivity, in Han’s view, is the fundamental formula for true happiness.
Neela Vermeire and Bertrand Duchaufour
For me this is where perfume at its best comes in, it takes me out of the world letting me escape into a more dream like and meditative state, especially these beautiful works from Neela Vermeire Creations Ashoka, Niral and Trayee composed by Bertrand Duchaufour, each of which feel like mediations themselves.
Neela Vermeire Creations Ashoka image courtesy of the brand
2013’s Neela Vermeire Creations Ashoka opens with a sharp, invigorating blend of aromatic herbs and fresh greens, accompanied by the close to heady scent of hyacinth. As the fragrance develops, waxy floral notes are joined by fig leaf, enhancing the greenery and giving the impression that the stems are blooming with creamy, luscious flowers. Hidden within the opening are hints of sandalwood and ylang-ylang, with the sandalwood’s sour intensity harmonizing beautifully with the hyacinth and lotus, while the rose conceals the ylang-ylang until it’s ready to reveal its full bloom. The presence of cassis maintains the green essence of Ashoka, but it’s the soft, powdery iris that truly transforms the sandalwood into a silky sensation. Osmanthus delicately teases out sweet fruity nuances, accentuating the subtle elements of the sandalwood and evoking memories of Guerlain’s Samsara, as jasmine joins forces with ylang-ylang and sandalwood, yet Neela Vermeire Creations Ashoka’s garden of scents is even more opulent, creamy, and complex, radiating a profound sense of joy and contentment. With time, the creaminess deepens, enriched by resinous notes and vanilla, while the lotus imparts a waxy texture. The florals gradually transform into a soft, sensual leather and the powdery nuances become a delicate plume of sandalwood incense smoke, enveloping the senses and transporting the mind to a captivating realm. Neela Vermeire Creations Ashoka is a sandalwood perfume that is truly breath taking, inducing a profound state of relaxation.
Neela Vermeire Creations Niral image courtesy of the brand.
Neela Vermeire Creations Niral debuted in 2018 and envelops us in a gentle mist of delicate flowers, as a sparkle of pink pepper gradually gives way to a sweet, honeyed rose and an exquisite iris that creates a cloud-like sensation. This iris exudes warmth and happiness, instantly putting you in a relaxed and positive mood. The soft, abstract florals add a cosy touch, along with a balsamic richness reminiscent of mimosa that lingers in the background. As Neela Vermeire Creations Niral develops, subtle woody hints of cardamom begin to emerge, creating a sense of intrigue. It shimmers with a champagne-like fizz, slightly sweet with tantalizing aromatic notes that unveil green facets, as the pink pepper gently bursts on your skin like tiny bubbles. Niral feels like a warm embrace, as if you were wrapped in a sumptuous silk garment adorned with intricate embroidery, yet incredibly soft. Gradually, the cardamom evolves into a powdery woody sensation, accompanied by sandalwood and jasmine. Niral’s floral and powdery haze surrounds you and exudes a beautiful and sensual musk. These notes intertwine with the iris, creating soft ripples and textures that exude warmth and delight. There’s a deep balsamic richness, almost boozy, as if you were savouring a buttery, bread-like champagne, all wrapped in silk and adorned with a creamy floral elegance. Words truly fail to capture the emotions that Niral evokes for me. It feels like basking in the warm glow of the sun, with delightful aromas wafting through the air. Neela Vermeire Creations Niral is a perfume that beckons you to snuggle close and lose yourself in its captivating allure. It tells a stunning tale of iris that is truly unique.
Neela Vermeire Creations Trayee image courtesy of the brand.
Neela Vermeire Creations Trayee was launched in 2011, and opens like an explosive new thought, jolting us awake from our comfortable daze with a refreshing blend of zesty cool ginger and woody cinnamon, intertwined with herbal and aromatic greens. It’s dry and slightly bitter, yet carries an incense-like quality with creamy basil smoothing out the edges of the spices and aromatics. Creamy vanilla and woody notes follow suit, infused with cardamom for a luxurious and aromatic experience that brings together the green and spicy elements seamlessly. I find this creamy cardamom blend to be deeply soothing, each sniff slowing down time as floral scents unfurl, sparking new ideas and reflections. Jasmine adds a dark yet soft touch, shimmering with a hint of clove-like desire with a gentle, rich suede undertone.
Gradually, a rich darkness emerges, as the jasmine transforms into a warm, incense-like aroma with deep, earthy nuances. There’s a subtle smokiness with medicinal hints that enhance the herbal and spiritual essence, drawing out the cardamom, clove, and Laos Oud, an oud that’s rich with tangy tamarind and creamy woody facets. Trayee introduces sweeter notes amidst the herbal backdrop, while a soft oud incense lingers in the air. Its fragrance encapsulates the complexity of human nature, where our thoughts may conflict with our emotions, yet it’s this very contradiction that defines our humanity. We are not one-dimensional beings, but rather a blend of light and darkness, much like the swirling plumes of incense smoke that invite contemplation as we lose ourselves in its elegant simple essence.
These three fragrances created by Bertrand Duchaufour in partnership with Neela Vermeire are like a soothing escape from reality, allowing me to unwind and let my mind wander. They take ordinary scents and transform them into something extraordinary, bringing a sense of happiness and wonder.
Disclaimer: Samples of Neela Vermeire Creations Ashoka, Niral and Trayee were kindly sent to me by Neela Vermeire Creations, the book and thoughts are my own.
-Senior Contributor J Wearescentient, artist & olfactive writer
Neela Vermeire Creations Ashoka, Niral and Trayee image courtesy of the brand.
Thanks to the generosity of Neela Vermeire, we have a 60ml bottle of your choice of Neela Vermeire Creations Ashoka, Niral or Trayee for one lucky reader in the USA and EU. The draw is for registered readers only, so be sure to register if you have not done so. To be eligible please leave a comment on J’s reviews and the concept of slowing down the Draw closes 2/27/2024
(Try the discovery set if you are new to the brand).
Neela Vermeire Trayee is a ÇaFleureBon Modern Masterpiece
Neela Vermeire Creations Ashoka won an Art and Olfaction Award 2014
Follow us on Instagram:@cafleurebonofficial @neelavermeirecreations @wearescentient
This is our Privacy and Draw Rules Policy
We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like ÇaFleureBon and use our blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume