Parfums Dusita Pelagos via the brand
La mer
Qu’on voit danser
Le long des golfes clairs
A des reflets d’argent
La mer
Des reflets changeants
Sous la pluie ~ Charles Trenet
Translation (mine): The sea that we behold dancing along the shimmering bays (inlets, arms of the sea) has silver reflections, reflections which fluctuate in the rain.
Pissara and Ida at Esxence 2024
Ah, the poets! They appeared unbidden, as if conjured – the aromatic children of desire and longing – with my inaugural spray of Pissara Umavijani of Parfums Dusita upcoming release Pelagos (a parfum extrait), which will become available this May. Pissara previewed Parfums Dusita Pelagos a few weeks ago at Esxence 2024, and as she did so I experienced an unanticipated epiphany right there, on the spot. This parfum is so exquisite that I was left breathless and in a state of advanced awe. As you know, it is exceedingly rare for me to fall head-over-heels for an aquatic fragrance; Pelagos was the exception to the rule. Rhapsody was inevitable (by the way – Pelagos translates as “sea”: fitting indeed). Although several perfumers/creative directors had expressed a desire to gather together in Milan, Pissara was among the few who reached out and specifically requested a meeting, quite a bit in advance – which touched me deeply. Perhaps this is her customary manner, but whatever the reason, I was thrilled and we agreed upon a time. She and I had not spent any significant time together since 2019, and I am always excited to experience a talented perfumer’s body of work.
Parfums Dusita booth at Esxence courtesy of the brand
It can be challenging to arrive at point A when you find yourself all over the place, especially if there are symposia you wish to attend. Very few events manage to run like clockwork, so you basically dash from booth to booth. Both my husband I were cordially greeted, offered coffee, chocolate, and water; Pissara was genuinely enthusiastic and put us at ease immediately. We were surrounded by her artistically adorned booth, resplendent with Pissara’s vibrant watercolors – in this case, an Aegean Sea island respite where she and her husband had been able to escape for a while during her pregnancy. The images evoked her experience of détente, and correlated brilliantly with her latest oeuvre – an abundance of synaesthetic elements.
Illustration by Pissara for Parfums Dusita Pelagos courtesy of the brand
“Tell me where my limit lies
so I may go up to it
and knock just so gently
to show I am human.” ~ Montri Umavijani
Pissara was inspired by one of her late father’s poems, in which he “exalted the vastness of the human spirit”, a sense of infinite possibility. As she contemplated the convergence of sea and sky in this eponymous village nestled into the municipality of Tripoli, Arcadia, and Greece, Pissara envisioned a fragrance which might encapsulate its legendary light and ambiance. In reality, Parfums Dusita Pelagos was a long time in the making – and when you experience it, you will understand why.
Storyboard of Pelagos courtesy of the brand
Pelagos is unique in its complex beauty, and I find it very challenging to attempt to categorize it. It is far more than the sum of its parts; the simplistic nomenclature “aquatic” doesn’t begin to describe it. This perfume is an immersive adventure: unique au monde while concomitantly echoing the grand structure of haute parfumerie. This is precisely what a modern classic should smell like: multi-tiered, radiant, all-encompassing – all the while emphasizing our kinship with the natural world. Firstly, Pissara undeniably employs the most exquisite materials available, and a mere sniff informs us of this posthaste. It commences with the clarion call of a bevy of citrus abundance which rouses the senses, followed by a ‘sea breeze accord’ that is photorealistic in scope – utilizing pine, cypress, clary sage, and oakmoss in a compelling, irresistible manner. The effect of this union is as dazzling as the reflection of the horizon upon the ocean’s gentle waves, and it is arresting. It demands that we halt in our tracks and inhale deeply, more than once. There is a profound sense of reverence which surrounds Parfums Dusita Pelagos. The perfume’s heart consists of a matchless herbal floralcy, weaving jasmine, white thyme, and tonka into William Blake”s cloths of heaven – which translates (to our noses) as a velvety leather presence, an olfactory sleight-of-hand. Pelagos’ base may appear classic to the naked eye, but its elegance and deep feeling arise from carefully considered proportions – and the presence of ambrette, sandalwood, amyris, patchouli and vetiver remind one of the hulls of ancient seaworthy vessels and the undulating coast.
Pelagos will definitely be included in my finest releases of 2024; how could it not? It has evoked a primal response which is overwhelmingly visceral, as well as possessing the ability to access the deeply spiritual in me. It is so clearly beyond gender constraints that Pelagos is truly a parfum for our time – and the times to come. It will never age, much like Cleopatra’s infinite charms. Allow me to close with the tender perceptions of the great Greek poet Cafavy:
Let me stop here. Let me, too, look at nature awhile.
The brilliant blue of the morning sea, of the cloudless sky,
the yellow shore; all lovely,
all bathed in light. ~ excerpt from Morning Sea, by Konstantinos Petrou Kavafis, aka Constantine P. Cafavy
Notes: bergamot, orange, litsea cubeba, sea breeze accord (pine, cypress, clary sage, oakmoss), orris butter, jasmine, white thyme, tonka bean, sandalwood, amyris, patchouli, vetiver, ambrette, incense, benzoin
Pre-order for Parfums Dusita Pelagos will commence on May 10th, 2024
Flacon generously gifted by Pissara – many thanks! My nose is my own…
~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor
Parfums Dusita has won quite a few ÇaFleureBon Best of Scent awards: La Rhapsodie Noire Best 2022 from Olya and Montri chosen by Nicoleta. Anamacara was a top ten perfume for 2021 chosen by Nicoleta. Cavatina a top 10 by Ida and Michelyn
Thanks to the generosity of the perfumer, we have a 50ml advance flacon of Parfums Dusita Pelagos for one registered reader in the EU, Canada, UK and USA. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest based on Ida’s review and where you live. Do you have a favorite Parfums Dusita? Draw closes 4/1/2024
Note: Readers need to be patient as the bottle cannot be shipped until May 20th
Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial @idameister @parfumsdusita @ploiuma @parfumsdusitaparis
This is our Privacy and Draw Rules Policy
We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Çafleurebon and use our blog feed… or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.