In 2008, Miuccia Prada released three new exclusives to her elusive line-
No. 8 Opoponax, No. 9 Benjoin, and No.10. Myrrhe.
No. 8 and No.10 were surprisingly dry, for resin- inspired scents.
No. 9 Benjoin was the one I most badly craved.
Would you…could you…leave a nice stable IT career and a sensible life in London England to…follow a dream of becoming an organic lavender farmer on the Greek Mediterranean island of Crete? That is exactly what Gill Leonard and Derek Pearce did in 2002. They now own and run an organic boutique lavender and olive farm they call “The Lavender Way” producing their own distilled lavender essential oils, beautiful lavender wands, sachets, gel, spritzers, tea, lavender pillows and the odd luxury gift.
I can certainly sympathize with those of you who are experiencing oud fatigue. The last twelve months has seen this most Middle Eastern of notes used ubiquitously in seemingly every other new fragrance that comes out. I do have to say that I have been impressed with the versatility of oud when used by different perfumers as it has progressed form the rose oud combination through many different iterations. With Emir we come full circle back to a rose oud centered fragrance although the source of the rose is the “green rose” of geranium and that slightly tweaks the formula.
Celine Ellena’s latest release might be her best fragrance to date; The Different Company de Bachmakov weaves disparate notes into uncommon beauty and uses the inspiration of the Annee France-Russie as starting point. Right from that inspiration the idea of marrying the steppes of Russia with the fertile fields of Bordeaux would make for something interesting. The choices Mme. Ellena makes take de Bachmakov beyond interesting and into the realm of breathtaking.
This inspiration for Acqua Di Parma Colonia Essenza is confirmed by the press materials where the following statement resides; “Colonia Essenza is a new fragrance that highlights the essence of the original Colonia fragrance. The more recognizable notes and accords that represent the “soul” of Colonia are boosted….” If this was the basic brief the perfumer worked off of, they succeeded and, the first two-thirds of the development of Colonia Essenza take this inspiration and make something inspired until the base unfortunately returns to something all too common and keeps Colonia Essenza from being a complete triumph.
“Oh, Mama ! I could wear this and never tire of it…it’s my drug!” quoth he.
Out of the mouths of babes.
Only, my babe will soon be 20.
But the newest L’Artisan Parfumeur Coeur de Vetiver Sacre creation simply blew him away.
What’s in this potion that makes young existentialist types get the vapors ?
