A few months ago, I wrote about the exclusive 'Iris Nazarena' Eau de Parfum by Aedes de Venustas, which remains an undefeated first choice and everyday companion of mine. Hence, it was a great pleasure to meet one of the founders of this New York label today.
Robert Gerstner was in town for the launch of his newest, irresistably mysterious creation 'Copal Azur' and luckily decided to do so at my favorite cosmetics and perfume store, Belle Rebelle. Despite the undeniable genius of his new scent however, my final choice was its predecessor – Oeillet Bengale Parfum.
Name giver to this fragrance is a rose, a purple beauty with petals so abundant reminiscing of blooming carnations. Passionately, Gerstner has come to call it 'the rose that plays with the fire' and, in it, combines the blossom with notes of incense, Ylang-Ylang, resin and citrus.
He adds a pinch of spices, such as black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, clover and saffron, and balances out the sweetness with the lemony lightness. Simply perfect!