Dawn and me (photos 2017)
Throughout our 10 year friendship, Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes and I have collaborated on quite a few perfumes. These interchanges of ideas ranged from CaFleureBon’s Lautrec (2011), Become The Shaman (2017), Reveries de Paris (2015) to naming Cyan. Last month, Dawn and I had our monthly chat, (she’s a busy one, with the Essence Studio, teaching classes, her multi-media art, Denver Art Museum partnerships and her most important role as a wife and mom).
I beseeched Dawn to bring back some of the discontinued fragrances I loved. I wanted more Essenza dell’Ibisco and Giardini Segreti both favorites of mine from her earlier Italian series; I was down to my last drops. So under the guise of having a “brilliant idea”, I asked her to offer archival perfumes, that either were discontinued to make way for all her newness, (because ingredients changed due to scarcity or other reasons) on a bi-monthly basis. My concept was motivated two-fold, selfishly so I can get my hands on more of the “oldies” and because Dawn' s work is so popular worldwide that some of her earlier fragrances would be new for many perfumistas. I thought how great it would be for her many many admirers and collectors to be able to buy DSH Perfumes that they were not familiar with from earlier times. –Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief
“The Heirloom Elixir collection gives a new slant to the Limited Edition concept. As you may know, I have a tendency to be a very prolific artist… I seem to have an insatiable need to explore new ideas, consider strange & newly discovered materials, look at crazy, unusual designs, as well as classical interpretations of my own based on masterpieces of perfume history. Here's how it goes: Every two months (or so), per year, we will release a new limited edition fragrance in numbered bottles. It will only be available for sale during the selected month period and once it's gone, it's gone… with one exception. * If you bought or were gifted one of our numbered bottles, we will keep a record, and you can contact us for refills*. So, if you fall madly in love with one of our Heirloom Elixir editions, it can still be YOURS long after the edition has closed. {How cool is that?} In honor of Michelyn's gift, we are dedicating the very first edition to her with the re-release of her all-time favorite DSH Perfume (from a 2006 limited edition collection): DSH Perfumes Heirloom Elixirs Essenza dell'Ibisco. As an opulent, fruity-floral tuberose perfume with rich incense and purring animalics in the base, Michelyn has long said that Essenza dell'Ibisco was ahead of its time. We both feel that now is the perfect time for the new DSH Perfumes Heirloom Elixirs Essenza dell'Ibisco to take center stage and wow the crowd. I'm truly over the moon to be able to present Heirlooms Elixirs Essenza dell'Ibisco and feel her sing anew on my own skin (and yours).”
And More…. Dawn smelling hibiscus
“The initial spark of inspiration for the perfume that became Essenza dell’Ibisco came as a flash of vibrant color while on a trip to Italy in 2003. We had been staying in Venice (my favorite place!) and were visiting Murano and Burano. I was struck by the wonderful colors…the combinations one against another; each revealing a new beauty from the juxtaposition. I noticed it first with the buildings on the islands: orange then bright pink. Again in the gardens, and again in a blown glass gallery, and once again a glorious fabric shop filled with silk scarves. I loved the vibration; the energy and excitement of the two colors together. It was happening: a perfume “feeling” was forming. Something lush and opulent and maybe a bit over the top. We visited another garden thick with hibiscus flowers and there it was again: those COLORS! Bees were buzzing everywhere, swooning as they dipped into the calyx of the flowers coming out dazed and covered in sensuous pollen. I knew this was it.”-Dawn Spencer Hurwitz
I am so excited to have #1 in the series
Dawn did take into consideration that tuberose can be polarizing, especially on me, added more plum and gently dialed back the indoles and animalics. Heirloom Elixirs Essenza dell'Ibisco is 92 percent true to the original, but in my opinion. sexier, more tropical, and more opulent than the 2006 version. The hibiscus is tromper le nez… the ambrettte seeds create the illusive scent. I am thrilled that 12 years later, I will be wearing it once again… I think you will too!
Notes for DSH Perfumes Heirloom Elixirs Essenza dell Ibisco 2018: Ambergris, Ambrette Seed, Australian Sandalwood, Ciste Absolute, French Beeswax, Green Oakmoss, Myrrh Gum, Boronia Absolute, Centifolia Rose Absolute, Damask Rose Absolute, Grandiflorum Jasmine, Orange Flower Absolute – France, Tuberose Absolute, Tuberose accord, Apricot, Bergamot, Italian Neroli, Mandarin, Peach, Plum
Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief and Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes
Disclosure: I was not paid for this concept and received a bottle numbered #1 as a gift.
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all images by DSH Perfumes and used for @cafleurebon
DSH Perfumes Heirloom Elixirs products available: 60 ml EdP: $ 155, 1/4 oz simple Extrait: 105, 5 ml Presentation Extrait: $125, organic shea creme: $45, 3 ml EdP spray: $20, 1 ml extrait rollerball $20 – then refills 2 oz: $105
On sale Tuesday 10/9/2018 at www.dshperfumes.com