Wit and West Fleur du Riad *
Located within the walls of the old city Medina, a Riad is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an indoor garden and courtyard. Generally, the Riad is fully enclosed with rooms designed around the central courtyard and gathering area decorated with colored traditional mosaics called zellij. Fountains, plants, trees, and flowers are all part of the garden cultivated for enjoyment in this central area. The word “Riad” is derived from the Arabic word “رياض” which translates to “garden” in English.
Whitney Swales and Rob Westendorf*
Walking into the intimacy of a Riad courtyard, you will find a space that is square or rectangular in shape, set around the sahrîdj, a fountain or basin. The symbolism of the sahrîdj within the Riad cannot be understated. Water represents the vital life force of the family and the house, as it is a symbol of life in the desert. According to Islamic garden design, an inner garden focused around the water is much admired. It is likely to feature native citrus trees, palms, and jasmine. This fragrant oasis was created as a Wit and West Fleur du Riad, a liquid memory after natural perfumer Whitney Swales of Wit & West journey to Morocco with her her husband Rob.
Le Jardin Secret*
Wit and West Fleur du Riad opens with a seductive veil of animalic honey. This perceived note is surely the product of Moroccan Neroli with its powerful combination of effervescent citrus, verdant vegetation, sweet white florals, and indole. Green mandarin adds a juicy fruitiness and light silky texture, like saturated air on a hot summer night. Wit and West Fleur du Riad blooms with sultry sweetness and flirts with orange blossom milky floralcy enlivened with a sparkling aldehydic piquancy.
Jasmine du Riad shows itself to be more lovely and complex with time. Orange blossom entices with its sensual depth and complexity, tying the citrus floral aromas of the opening into the intensity of the heart. Indole-rich and warmly sweet, orange blossom is opulent and rich, balanced by a fine-drawn backbone of bitter-green grassiness that energizes the flush floral. Jasmine is a proper partner for this waltz of flowers. Musky and playful, the green, fruity, floral, spicy, and indolic character of jasmine grandiflorum matches the energy and temperament of orange blossom to perfection.
while in Marrakesh*
A low and slow simmering smoke leads us to the dry down of Wit and West Fleur du Riad. Vetiver’s earthy and smoky tones bring us to sweet ground again after the great heights of our floral adventures in the heart. Resinous caramel, whiskey, and leather reach out here and there the way natural materials can enchant with their special complexity. Oakmoss with its deep forest floor, ancient seabed, and wet earth sooths and quiets the fragrance into its rightful place of this fragrant remembrance.
Notes: Moroccan neroli (citrus aurantium var. amara), green mandarin (citrus reticulata blanco), orange blossom (citrus aurantium var. amara), jasmine (jasminum grandiflorum), vetiver (vetiveria zizanioides), oakmoss (evernia prunastri)
* all photos © Wit & West
Disclaimer: Sample of Wit and West Fleur du Riad kindly provided by Wit and West Perfumes. My opinions, as always, are my own.
Michelyn’s note: The perfume was created prior to the devastating earthquake in The Marrakesh -Safi Region. At least 2,946 people were killed and 5,674 were injured. Our hearts go out to those who perished, their families and survivors.
Thanks to the largess of Wit and West, we have a draw for a 15ml bottle of Fleur du Riad for one registered reader in USA, Canada and Mexico only. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what strikes you about Wit and West Fleur du Riad and where you live. Draw closes 9/26/2023
Winner will be announced within 10 days after closing.
All photos belong to Wit and West Perfumes unless otherwise noted.
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Whitney Swales was the 163rd American Perfumer in our ÇaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery Series
Wit and West was featured in Steven’s video 3 American Indie Brands You Should Know
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