Jessica September Buchanan‘s newest fragrant offspring is a 100 % botanical one.
Narcotic Flowers is her tender homage to the city of Grasse which is so thoroughly steeped in perfume history.
Those who have followed her story will recall that she studied perfumery in France, but recently sold everything she possessed in order to realize her dream in the fertile atmosphere of Les Alpes -Maritimes.
We at CaFleureBon were thrilled to feel your warm, supportive response to her courageous decision to risk all.
Jessica‘s usage of the perfumer’s palette sings of those substances both native and imported, if you will…
[After all, Marseille is not so far from Grasse, and as a great port of call, many treasures from the East made their way to the rest of Europe.]
“White intoxicating
flowers filled my
dreams last night –
As I wandered these
medieval stone streets
In the warmth of
summer darkness “. [JSB]
Notes:
Top – bergamot, magnolia, rose oleander
Heart -absinthe, ylang ylang, narcissus, jasmine, osmanthus, tuberose
Soul -opoponax, Atlas cedar, labdanum, spices, vanilla, ambrette
Blossoms!
Native: bergamot, magnolia, oleander, rose, jasmine, narcissus, tuberose
Exotic: ylang ylang, osmanthus, ambrette
Local color, and cousin to pastis: absinthe
Plunder of the spice trade and world travel: opoponax, Atlas cedar, spices, labdanum, vanilla.
What we feel is reflective of the cosmopolitan- yet unspoiled- nature of Grasse.
A crossroads where past and present blend seamlessly, with a lilt in its step.
I’m reminded of a woman who saunters unhurriedly down the cobblestone courtyard with her market basket on her arm; her footing sure, her hips undulating gently and rhythmically, without a care in all the world.
The mid-afternoon heat rises up like an amber-hued veil.
Jessica September tiptoes down these venerably ancient streets under night’s cloak surrounded by heady nocturnal -blooming flowers.
Those opulent blossoms which perfume the daylight hours linger with a ghostly beauty.
Osmanthus’ jammy apricot note woos the narcissus, as their leather tones entwine like lovers’ fingers.
What could become a deafening floral throng in less delicate hands looms fondly as the aromatic apparition of summer days.
There is palpable sweetness, intoxicating yet ephemeral. Nothing is out of balance.
Absinthe feels like a mere murmur.
Plushly seated like some phantom pasha amid resinous cushions, Narcotic Flowers exudes erotic sovereignty.
It rules with a gossamer hand.
In the land of the fey, all is intimated, never declaimed.
Senior / Natural Perfumery Editor's Note: William Blake's illustrations of A Midsummer Night's Dream and other beauties felt right for Jessica's winsome perfume.
She is generously offering a full bottle to one fortunate reader. What is the stuff your dreams are made of on this the shortest day of the year? Draw ends on December 24, 2011.
We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilt perfume
–Ida Meister, Natural Perfumery and Senior Editor
Editor's Note: It's because of many of you dear Readers that helped Jessica's dream came true and was able to fund her move to Grasse.