Vilhelm Parfumerie Fleur Burlesque ©Olya
Nimble, sultry, and playful, she enters the stage into the soft glow of light, feathers brush against her skin, and she can taste the adrenaline. The fragrance of indolic gardenias swirls all around her as she basks in the hungry eyes of the public.
Moulin Rouge via Unsplash
Vilhelm Parfumerie Fleur Burlesque captures the sensory indulgence of the fin de siècle. The Parisian bourgeoisie during the era of La Belle Époque sought new forms of entertainment, and the theaters and saloons offered performances to match their need for sexuality and exotic dancing.
She spends her mornings lazily enjoying breakfast in bed while her room is filled with sweet intoxicating scents of blooming gardenias and jasmine. Her nights, however, are reserved for the debauchery of amber and sandalwood embraces. She smells of unflinching, exquisite femininity and feels alive in the spotlight at the Moulin Rouge, enchantingly aglow. Her appetite for the extravagant life is almost impossible to satisfy.
Vilhelm Parfumerie Fleur Burlesque ©Olya
Now let’s rewind the time a bit and tone down the temperature in the room. Burlesque originated in the 17th century, the word deriving from the Italian word ‘burlesco,’ itself from ‘burla,’ meaning a joke or mockery. The Victorian burlesque style made its way to New York in the 1840s and was famously popularized in 1868 by Lydia Thompson’s visiting dance troupe, the British Blondes. Their burlesque shows were focused on parody elements performed by an all-female cast. The women wore tights which were quite risqué for the era. Compared to all the ruffles used to hide a female leg, these ladies were fearless and not afraid to showcase their skin. Scandalous, absolutely scandalous, and so addictive to watch, it spread like fire among the hungry audience, ready to devour every glimpse.
Burlesque dancer via Unsplash
Vilhelm Parfumerie Fleur Burlesque develops at the same natural pace as the burlesque act. It is about movement, the slow and hypnotizing rhythm of the body, slowly unveiled. The anticipation of the next layer is meticulously hidden under each note. There is a contrast of green bitterness and creaminess gardenia possess and the indolic whiff of jasmine warmed by the amber lights blazing in the background. Slightly vintage with an unmistakable signature of the floral classics, there is a chypre shadow hiding underneath it all.
It’s time to go backstage of the theater and witness the extravaganza. The cinched-waisted dancers wrapped in feathers sit in front of blinding vanity tables as they swipe lipsticks in the shade of plum across their lips. The air is filled with excitement, the scent of champagne, and hot bodies before the show begins. Jerome Epinette masterfully creates a lactonic smoothness to the composition, like a velvety feel of gardenia petals poured onto the skin after the bathing ritual. The music begins, and she slips on stage with a trail of heady florals following her, the public adores her every move, and she loves every minute of it.
Notes: Gardenia, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Amber.
Disclaimer: Bottle of Vilhelm Parfumerie Fleur Burlesque was generously gifted to me by Europerfumes. My opinions, as always, are my own.
Olya Bar, Editor
Vilhelm Parfumerie Fleur Burlesque by Olya Bar
Thanks to Europerfumes the USA distributor, we have a 50ml bottle of Vilhelm Fleur Burlesque for one registered reader, open USA ONLY. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what strikes you about Olya’s review of Vilhelm Fleur Burlesque. Draw closes April 6, 2022.
Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial @olyabar @official_europerfumes @vilhelm_parfumerie
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.