Roja Parfums Parfum De La Nuit No.1 photo by Ida

And it’s such a night, it’s such a night
Sweet confusion under the moonlight
It’s such a night, such a night
To steal away, the time is right If I don’t do it, you know somebody else will  ~ Mack Rebennack, aka the late Dr.John

Dr, John via New Orleans Music Clinic

It feels fitting to recall the wildly seductive, irresistible voice of New Orleans’ beloved bad boy, eclectic Dr. John (aka Malcolm John Rebennack, who very recently passed away on June 6th) when I yield myself up to Roja Dove’s Parfum De La Nuit No.1. Louisiana and London, you may very well inquire??? Both louche and lavish, the exquisite booziness of this particular fragrance invites intimacy in no uncertain terms. By all means, let’s not stand on ceremony: we’re all consenting adults here, and the whiskey flows freely on this steamy evening. My head swims, and your perfume only inflames the situation with provocative twists and turns. Whisk me away, and soon – somewhere dimly lit and private before I come to my senses… although there’s little chance of that. I hunger for air, it feels too oppressive to breathe with your lips hovering over my breast like errant wasps. Sting me, now. I crave you under cloak of darkness.  Yes. Parfum De La Nuit No.1 feels just like the above – whether you’re snugged up the poshest night spot in London, way down in the bayou or anywhere crepuscular and in between. Desire is universal and intemporal, older than memory itself and at least as powerful. This extrait doesn’t whisper – it’s declamatory, an olfactory oratory. Be cautious in application; a little goes a long way and the message will be received regardless. I’ve always preferred to ensnare via insinuation rather than the sledgehammer approach, and Parfum De La Nuit No.1 is a case-in-point.

 Scene From 1988 Dangerous Liaisons John Malkovich and Michelle Pfieffer

“Desire Calls When Darkness Falls”, notes Roja Dove. I’d go one further and describe Roja Parfums Parfum De La Nuit No.1  effect as summoning instead. It lures you into profoundly resinous depths of penumbra: inescapable, bewitching. With its abundance of tolu, benzoin, vanilla, tonka – you might expect a syrupy confection, which is absolutely not what occurs: keenly woody, leathery and balsamic aromas are warmed by of the diffusive glow of clove and saffron. So where does the distinctive whiskey note come into play? Whatever I’ve explored doesn’t quite explain it; perhaps it’s the combined effect of several elements or even an unmentioned material – but it is undeniably intoxicating. Parfum De La Nuit No.1 is clearly gender-fluid and smells marvelous on everyone: in summer it will bloom upon the flesh like mad and in autumn/winter it will disseminate its heat willingly, bearing warmth while the climate tells a different tale.

Notes: bergamot, cistus, clove, saffron, cypriol, patchouli, vetiver, cedarwood, guaiacwood, tolu balsam, benzoin, vanilla, tonka bean, styrax

My tester was graciously provided by Europerfumes – many, many thanks!  My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Senior Editor and Natural Perfumery Editor

Art by Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

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Editor’s Note: Earlier this year I met with Roja Dove at Bergdorf Goodman where he explained the trilogy of Parfum de la Nuit No.1, 2 and 3… Parfum de la Nuit No.1 began the seduction-Michelyn Camen