New Fragrance Review: Parfumeurs du Monde Agua Nativa (Michel Roudnitska) and Tundzha (Jean-Claude and Eric Gigodot) + Sustainable Perfume Draw

 

 Evening breeze . Monotype and bark on mill paper. 2015 Veronique Arnault

“Sustainability, ensuring the future of life on earth, is an infinite game, the endless expression of generosity on behalf of all.”  -Paul Hawken, environmentalist, entrepreneur, and author (And my mentor.)

A portion of the sales of Parfumeurs du Monde are donated to Couer de foret

There are many things which I hold dear, and two that have always sustained me are fine perfume and volunteering/charitable work. Both of these provide endless hours of delight, plus the feeling of “doing good” on behalf of something or someone in need, is as fine a feeling as smelling a perfume that becomes an instant love. Combine perfume with charitable kindness, and you’ve got my immediate attention.At the end of 2016, perfumer Isabelle Gellé of Les Parfums d’Isabelle in the UK,did  an extraordinary thing with orchestrating a new and all-natural collection called Parfumeurs du Monde. As she describes it:  ''Parfumeurs du monde” is the work-of-art resulting from a beautiful collaboration between six French perfumers who care about the planet. (The creation of) 100% natural essences in compliance with Parfumeurs du monde charter and with ethics in mind. Portions of  the profits will be donated to Coeur de Forêt,  a Paris-based NGO established in 2005 which supports small producers for the rehabilitation and protection of forests in Bolivia, Cameroon, Indonesia, Madagascar and Peru.”

 

Michel Roudnitska, Isabelle Gellé, Thierry Bernard, Perrine Scandel, Eric Gigodot Parfumeurs du Monde

The perfumers involved in this project read like a "Who’s Who" of the fine fragrance industry. Each perfumer has taken a primary ingredient of a specific country whose forests are being depleted, and created an all natural perfume that suggests that particular forest “in-situ”:

Isabelle Gellé: Kashi (India)

Master perfumer Michel Roudnitska: Agua Nativa (Peru)

Jean-Claude & Eric Gigodot: Tundzha (Turkey & Bulgaria)

Thierry Bernard: Tsingy (Madagascar)

Perrine Scandel: Izwe (South Africa)

Each perfume is glorious, so I will review the collection in two parts:

Michel Roudnitska

Agua Nativa (The ceremonial perfume of the Amazonian forest) by Michael Roudnitska 

Son of perfume pioneer Edmond Roudnitska, Michael Roudnitska really needs no introduction, having created so many unforgettable perfumes for Parfums DelRae, Australia’s Grandiflora, and of course his extraordinary first creation, Noir Epices for Frederic Malle. For this project,  M. Roudnitska has created Agua Nativa,  a ceremonial fragrance suggested by the indigenous Shipibos tribe of Peru’s Amazon Basin. Using notes from Amazonian plant extracts like Piri-Piri and Palo Santo, Michel Roudnitska has added a base of vetiver, vanilla, and patchouli, spicy and floral middle notes, creating a fantastic green fougére that manages to straddle a vintage/contemporary border.

Peruvian artist Pablo Amaringo

Opening with a beautiful herbal and citrus mix of basil and grapefruit, cooled by mint, Agua Nativa wanders lost through the jungle, accompanied by the fleshy buttery smell of ylang, the sharp dusty scent of geranium and spice notes of cinnamon and clove. The feeling is one of hiking through a fantasy tropical jungle at once wet, humid, narcotic and a bit poisonous and hallucinogenic. Stunning work.

Jean-Claude Gigodot

Tundzha  (Slavic cuddle of Rose Damascena) by Jean-Claude & Eric Gigodot 

Painting by İbrahim Çallı

Approximately six thousand miles and multiple time-zones away, Tundzha, places us  in the middle of a field of roses in central Europe, Bulgaria and Turkey. Best known for his wonderful work for Au Pays de la Fleur d’Oranger, Maison Incense, and one of the great “unicorns” of the past decade, Shantara’s Isiris, Jean-Claude Gigodot with the assistance of his son Eric, has created a perfect, airy paen to rose, sandalwood, vanilla, frankincense, and various beautiful florals. Like a picnic in May, in a sun-dappled meadow, Tundzha is true rose, with a spicy carnation-like facet, innocent but maybe not. There’s lavender also, and geranium, both providing a fresh laundry cleanliness, but never soapy. A terrific perfume for the spring Tudzha is shy but with an arched eyebrow and arms akimbo. Spray with abandon, you’ll not regret it.

–Robert Herrmann, Contributor

Art Direction: Michelyn

Disclosure: Many thanks to Isabelle Gellé for supplying the samples, and my opinions are my own.

Thanks to the generosity of the six perfumers of Parfumeurs du Monde we have a draw for a complete sample set of Agua Nativa, Iswe, Kashi, Tundzha and Tsingy for a registered reader click here anywhere in the world. To be eligible please leave a comment with what appeals to you about Agua Nativa and Tundz, where you live and any thoughts about Parfumeurs du Monde  or sustainablity. Draw closes 2/15/2017

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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29 comments

  • Filip__ says:

    What a tempting review: “Aqua Nativa wanders lost through the jungle, accompanied by the fleshy buttery smell of ylang, the sharp dusty scent of geranium and spice notes of cinnamon and clove. The feeling is one of hiking through a fantasy tropical jungle at once wet, humid, narcotic and a bit poisonous and hallucinogenic.” I can’t wait to try Agua Nativa. Tundzha also sounds great, more delicate and feminine. I am happy and thankful that susainability and environmental issues become more and more important and taken care of.

    Thank you for the draw. I live in the EU.

  • JustRosy says:

    I live in the state of Texas in the U.S. Aqua Nativa had me at ” narcotic and a bit poisonous and hallucinogenic”and Tundzha appeals to me as it’s a true rose with clove. Sustainability and our environment are extremely important, and thank you for doing your part. This is a wonderful giveaway.

  • BethMongold says:

    I have thought for a long time that perfumers have an opportunity (and maybe a responsibility?) to raise awareness of environmental issues. There seem to be an increasing number of natural perfumers and I applaud this particular project. Aqua Nativa sounds divine…I love the smell of palo santo but haven’t encountered it in fine fragrance before. Going to the Amazon is a dream of mine, so the thought of a “ceremonial fragrance” inspired by the jungle sounds wonderful! Tundzha is slightly less interesting to me as I am not always a fan of clean scents, but I do love a good spicy carnation-like rose if done well. I live in the US, thank you!

  • acquiredtaste says:

    Aqua nativa interestts me with its ceremonial fragrance suggested by the indigenous Shipibos tribe of Peru’s Amazon Basin. Tundzha sounds like a feminine perfume as it is described as being a true rose.

  • Maya says:

    I am always pleased to hear of the use of 100% natural essences and the idea of sustainability and the protection of forests. We live on a beautiful planet and should do our best to protect it. I find Aqua Nativa intriguing with its vintage-contemporary aspect. Tundzha is a true rose and “places us in the middle of a field of roses”. Sounds made for me. USA.

  • Francesca Brice says:

    I like this trend to create for us cultures in scent. I can totally see wandering the globe with an armful of fragrances that would express my destinations…ideas for a travel kit 🙂 Its also bringing awareness of the environment, the fragility of it with the plants that strive to survive under ever increasing harsh conditions. Lots of messages to be had and then there’s the pure pleasure of a unique perfume, to foster imagination as they do.To these 2 fragrances, Aqua Nativa and Tundzha I extend my admiration of your existance. Thanks for this wonderful draw. NZ and registered.

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    This is wonderful, the perfumers who care about the planet involved in a project to bring awareness about environmental issues. Deforestation, contamination of drinking water, water pollution, air pollution, soil contamination and wildlife conservation are the major environmental concerns. I love nature and so in perfumery by using natural ingredients. Both Aqua Nativa and Tundzha are appealing, but I am impressed with the notes of Tundzha as I love roses, incense and sandalwood.
    Thanks to the generosity of the six perfumers of Parfumeurs du Monde and Cafleurebon for the opportunity to participate in the draw.
    Peshawar, Pakistan

  • ntabassum92 says:

    Both the fragrances sound like true works of art, with vastly different landscapes. One of a sunny blissful picnic weather day surrounded by roses, and one of hot and humid weather filled with damp and green and heavy florals – both types of weather hold strong scent memories for me. I’m in the USA, and sustainability is a great concern of mine, especially at the rate at which we as human beings consume things. It seems the more we produce, the larger our appetites grow, and I’m not sure how to retrain ourselves to a more sustainable way of living.

  • Ellen M says:

    I like the concept of both fragrances and having six people work together is such an interesting concept. As we continue to grow and expand the population, sustainability becomes more and more necessary. Thanks for the draw. I live in the USA

  • Angie Cox says:

    Tundzha sounds perfect for me ,a rose lover.I have a garden for Damask Roses.I think all plants etc should be preserved for generations to come.

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    After a very cold and dark winter I am longing for spring, green, herbs … Aqua nativa Sound perfect to me. Tundzha sounds ike a very noble rose. The concpt is great, thnaks for the draw!

    I live in the EU.

  • fazalcheema says:

    Both Agua Nativa and Tundzha look interesting because despite being a fougere and floral, they seem to have that classic perfume feel. In addition, they have been made from quite novel notes some of whom are rarely used in natural or synthetic creations. I care about sustainability because we only have one home in planet earth. Thanks a lot for generous draw. I am in US.

  • Bryan Christopher says:

    What appealed to me is the second one, Tundzha. Why because its different to the rainforest of my home country, Philippines. I want to travel through that said area through the perfumes. I admire their advocacy by using natural ingredients which is different to the synthetic dominated perfumes of today. Thanks for the chance!

    I am in the USA.

  • Cecilia says:

    Agua nativa sounds so appealing,”Agua Nativa wanders lost through the jungle, accompanied by the fleshy buttery smell of ylang, the sharp dusty scent of geranium and spice notes of cinnamon and clove. The feeling is one of hiking through a fantasy tropical jungle at once wet, humid, narcotic and a bit poisonous and hallucinogenic.” and Tundzha a lovely rose. I live in the EU. I also admire their dedication to the planet’s resources

  • Amber says:

    Beautiful Perfumes for a beautiful cause! How can one resist a narcotic jungle and a stunning rose? Both scents so welcome in a winter landscape. I’m in the US, thank you for the draw!

  • Cristina says:

    Well I’m a newbie to these fabulous scents that can’t be found so easily. I’ve LOVED and collected perfume for the past 35 years. And suddenly I wake up to a new world of frangances and scents. Thanks to Robert Hermann and other reviewers I’ve been in scent heaven and dreaming of so many differents worlds. I’d love to win these samples so that my Fragance World will grow. Thank you so much for the oportunity.

  • doveskylark says:

    The palo santo note in Agua Nativa and the frankincense in Tundzha appeal to me because I burn them to find purity. I spend a lot of time in Brazil, l so sustainability of the Amazon rainforest concerns me. I have seen how it’s destruction has adversely affected Brazil, causing droughts.
    I live in the USA.

  • Rustee45 says:

    I appreciate that the perfumers use natural plant extracts and give such careful thought to the ingredients. I am also a fan of mint and nutmeg notes and would love to try these creations. It is wonderful that the company gives back and supports sustainability, one hardly hears much of it in the beauty world. I live in the US.

  • sarka says:

    Out of those two creations Agua Nativa sounds to be more appealing to me – it’s always fascinating to test the unknown ingredients, especially

    Looking forward to these and other releases by Parfumeurs du Monde.

    Thanks for the draw and greetings from Switzerland!

  • hvit says:

    Sustainability and nature-friendly procedures in perfume making mean a lot to me. I am thankful to Parfumeurs du Monde for so thoughtful approach which should be the example followed by others.
    Tundzha sounds great because I love roses. Other fragrances are very promising and I’d love to try them too. Thank you for the draw. Greetings from Norway.

  • mozaik says:

    As a devoted fan of almost every perfume created by Michel Roudnitska I am naturally most curious about Agua Nativa but to be honest, every fragrance from this line is something I look forward to try. Thank you for doing so much for our planet while creating perfumes which make life more beautiful. EU.

  • echinacea says:

    Both sound lovely! And I am happy about the trend of protecting the nature. I hope I will win the sample set because I would like to buy at least one bottle to support the case and I don’t know which one I would like best. I live in the EU, thanks!

  • Hootlia says:

    These both sound so different and beautiful. Agua Nativa sounds exotic and sensual, while Tundzha sounds lush and elegant. I love that Parfumeurs du Monde have created these lovely sounding sustainable perfumes. I’m always looking for natural perfumers, because I believe sustainability is the only way forward. I live in Canada, thank you.

  • Nazdenaz says:

    This was called for me! My two biggest passions in life are perfume and charitable work as well. This project is simply great! Both perfumes sound like what I am looking for right now. Am totaly into natural perfumes and smell of nature in particular forrest and these sound amazing. Besides I am a big fan of Michael Roudnitschka and his creations. Would be delighted to get my hands on these scents. Thanks for the opportunity.

  • Iphigenia says:

    What I found truly appealing about Aqua Nativa and Tundzha are the following exact word descriptions:

    “Agua Nativa wanders lost through the jungle, accompanied by the fleshy buttery smell of ylang, the sharp dusty scent of geranium and spice notes of cinnamon and clove. The feeling is one of hiking through a fantasy tropical jungle at once wet, humid, narcotic and a bit poisonous and hallucinogenic”

    Tundzha on the other hand is a rose perfume and I loved it for the following:
    “Like a picnic in May, in a sun-dappled meadow, Tundzha is true rose, with a spicy carnation-like facet, innocent but maybe not. There’s lavender also, and geranium, both providing a fresh laundry cleanliness, but never soapy. A terrific perfume for the spring Tudzha is shy but with an arched eyebrow and arms akimbo”
    I feel truly content with the fact that sustainability and environmental issues have become truly important and people try to make them priority issues in their daily life and work.
    I am a registered reader living in EU and I thank you for the lovely review and draw as well.

  • Toblerone says:

    “Hiking through a fantasy tropical jungle at once wet, humid, narcotic and a bit poisonous and hallucinogenic” is something I would love to experience, especially since this fragrance has been created to raise awareness about protecting the forests. Please enter me for a draw of the sample set. I live in Europe. Thank you for being a part of such a great initiative.

  • Miss Almond says:

    I want to try all of them, but first of all Agua Nativa because it has so unique ingredients I’ve never heard of. Thank you for so interesting review – I live in the EU.

  • teresa310 says:

    “Sustainability, ensuring the future of life on earth, is an infinite game, the endless expression of generosity on behalf of all.” I cannot agree more with this statement and, honestly, this is enough for me to buy from Parfumeurs du Monde and to support Coeur de Foret. I am sure all of them are beautiful and unique but Tundzha would be my first choice. I love roses and I am sure Jean-Claude and Eric Gigodot have created a really outstanding composition.

    (EU)

  • cinnamon tree says:

    Both reviews soung interesting but if I have to choose one of the two that I think I would like best, I would choose to test Agua Nativa and sniff this famous Palo Santo wood note. I also support the great concept behind this line.
    I live in the EU. Thank you for the draw!