Ida Meister past and present Photos via Ida Meister©. Re-colored collage by Gail Gross
“Have you ever known a woman who has lived one hundred lives in a single breath?” – CaFleureBon reader Juniebootiemoon describes Ida Meister on CaFleureBon, April 7, 2011
66 years ago on April 7th, an amazing spirit was born; someone destined to bring joy, support, love and care to so many of us. Ida Meister – wife, mother, brave and dedicated nurse, Fragrance Evaluator, engaging and award winning writer, opera singer, polyglot and fabulous cook to name a few – generously gives of her myriad talents every day, helping to make so many of our lives and this fragrant world a much better place.
Ida in her role as senior editor and natural perfumery editor is an award winning writer (L) with CaFleureBon Editor-in-Chief Michelyn Camen at the 2018 Perfume Plume Awards Finalists Event. Ida was awarded for Scent and Healing: The Transformative Power of Perfume . Photo by Hernando©
As one of our founding editors in 2010, Ida was instrumental in CaFleureBon’s mission to set a new standard of excellence in fragrance journalism 365 days a year. Along with Editor in-Chief Michelyn Camen and her CafleureBon colleagues (past and present), Ida has been key in developing a worldwide community of readers, friends-in-fragrance as well as advocating and supporting independent, artisan and niche perfumers and houses. It seems only fitting that during CaFleureBon’s tenth anniversary celebration, we honor Ida on her birthday. Several years ago one of our favorite perfumers did just that!
Ida Meister and Neil Morris at Sniffapolooza Photo by Neil Morris ©
“Ida is a dear friend who is warm and loving to all fortunate enough to cross her path. She is exciting and vivacious and yet retains the wonder of a child. I love her and wanted to create this special perfume just for her.” – Neil Morris
Neil Morris (her dear friend of many year)of Neil Morris Fragrances composed a very special perfume, in 2007 in her honor and presented it to her in 2008: Le Parfum d’Ida is a tribute to Ida Meister’s unique strength, to her generosity, classically elegant demeanor and cultured, yet down to earth, charm.
“Woman with a Basket of Fruit” by Christiaen Van Couwenbergh (17th century)
My first breath of the exotic, smoldering chypre that is Le Parfum d’Ida treats me to a lavish and generous aroma of late summer fruits – rich juicy blackberries and not quite ripe plums – spiced with a discreet touches of clove and deeply sweet, floral, musky civet. The opening reflects Ida’s bewitching and ever so sophisticated persona, her mesmerizing speaking voice and sultry charm. My initial spritz of Le Parfum d’Ida on a test strip sent curling tendrils of “come hither” olfactory melodies to the far corners of the house drawing family members like bees to honey. “What is that gorgeous scent”, “Oh that is so beautiful” they exclaimed.
Ida with Spring Flowers. Photo via Ida Meister ©
Lifted on bright aldehydes and on clean, green Elemi, Le Parfum d’Ida glides, ever so slowly closer to the skin and into a heart of flowers, a lavish bouquet of smooth luxe gardenia and ylang ylang, bright invigorating geranium, narcissus and hyacinth. Ida’s love of flowers, her talented, discriminating nose and knowledge of the musical, visual and olfactory arts are all represented for me in this charming, tastefully opulent garland of the most fragrant blossoms.
Nurse Ida Meister at Mass General Hospital with two colleagues Photo via Ida Meister ©
As Le Parfum d’Ida matures, the down to earth, nurturing side of Ida Meister is mirrored in the grounding, relaxing, calming properties of Indian spikenard, (jatamansi). The woody earthen character of this ancient balm compliments the healing qualities of myrrh. Neil Morris Fragrances Le Parfum d’Ida unfolds ever so slowly on my skin and even slower on clothing, allowing me ample time to appreciate every facet of this amazing perfume. Bold Russian leather and powdery orris combine and contrast with balsamic black agar and root-y, grassy vetiver in the leisurely dry down. Le Parfum d’Ida comes to rest after twelve hours (and more), oakmoss and tonka sweetly evanescent, floating on mysterious and shimmering recollections of the initial musky sensuality and animalic warmth.
Notes: Blackberry, Clove, Elemi, Aldehydes, Geranium, Gardenia, Purple Hyacinth, Narcissus, Ylang Ylang, Oakmoss, Vetiver, Jatamansi, Myrrh, Civet, Black Agar, Orris, Russian Leather, Castoreum, Teakwood and Tonka Bean.
Disclaimer: I would like to thank Neil Morris for my treasured bottle of Le Parfum d’Ida (and his muse Ida Meister for her generous spirit and inspirational talent). My opinions are my own – but I know that I share my impressions of Ida with the CaFleureBon readers and my fellow writers. On behalf of the writers and readers here at CaFleureBon – Happy birthday dear Ida!
Gail Gross – Senior Editor (with Contributions from Michelyn)
Thanks to the generosity of perfumer Neil Morris we have one 30 ml bottle of Neil Morris Fragrances Le Parfum d’Ida, a Vault fragrance for one registered reader worldwide (be sure to register or your comment will not count). To be eligible, tell us what appeals to you about Le Parfum d’Ida, wish Ida a happy birthday and let us know where you live. You can also tell us if you have a favorite Ida Meister article or review or relate a short anecdote about Ida. Draw closes 4/10/2020
Le Parfum d’Ida is available online at NeilMorrisfragrances.com. You can buy it here. Samples are only $5!!! and 30 ml EDP is $48. Celebrate Ida by wearing a perfume created in her honor. Neil ships worldwide at no charge with an order of $70
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Congratulations to Ida for her Perfumed Plume Finalist 2020 in Mainstream and Digital Media: Guerlain Mitsouko Centennial (1919-2019)-The Scented Skein
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