Interview with Sergio Momo of Xerjoff “Simply the Best”+ Damarose & Richwood Draw

 

Sergio Momo of Xerjoff

Sergio Momo

The luxury fragrance house of Xerjoff is one which, as Managing Editor Mark Behnke wrote: when quality matters. I am of the mind that a perfumista, I create a wardrobe of  scent in the way French women will settle for less quantity and more quality. So many spend thousands of dollars a year on the latest, most touted scent. In the words of Oscar Wilde, ” I have the simplest of tastes, I am  always satisfied with the best”. I believe Sergio Momo choice of Jaques Flori (who has created  fragrances for Etro, Amouage, and Reminiscence) would agree.

Van Gogh, The Sower

Welcome Sergio, what are your olfactive memories of your childhood?

SM: There are truly many but the most vivid are those of a mix between my grandparents’ garden (aromatic herbs) and alleys of Istanbul were my great-uncle lived. I remember basil, thyme and oregano and these are memories that I try to capture in some of my scents. Especially those of the Casamorati collection as they truly capture my memories and the timeless history of Italian culture.

What fragrance did your father wear?

Sergio Momo: My father had a passion for perfumes and his favorite scent was Hermes Equipage and any scent with a prominent sandalwood base. Sandalwood plays an important role in my scents. I source the best sandalwood from Mysore to provide the rich basenotes of many of my scents. I consider it as an homage to my father.

What does the name Xerjoff mean and can you write down the pronunciation phonetically

Sergio Momo: It was a nick name from my Croatian grandmother. She used to call me “Sir-joff” Joff. The name is phonetically Zer-Joff

When did you create the Company and why please expand?

Sergio Momo: Xerjoff started in 2004 as an extension to a design business I owned. Perfume had always been passion in my family as stated with my father so I had a vision to combine the art of perfumery with the art of design. I didn’t want to create just another perfume line. I wanted to create something different that harkened back to the time where perfume was very individual. Where the bottles were just as artistic as what lay inside them. Where there was no compromise to quality and materials used. I felt I could create this and re-introduce to people today the history of artistic perfumery.

What was the first fragrance in the collection? What was the inspiration?

Sergio Momo: Homme and Elle from the XJ17/17. I was inspired to create something new and never done before. Homme was just that. It was a bold and brash representation of what I felt leather truly was. Leather scents on the market today are usually buttery smooth but I wanted to challenge that notion and offer a truly sophisticated leather scent, the smell of my favorite leather jacket. With Elle, I wanted the opposite. I want to capture true femininity. I wanted the natural essences used in Elle to capture nature’s beauty as well as a sophisticated nature of a demure lady.

As someone who values fine fragrance, I must tell you my favorites are Elle and Lua, they really speak to me, personally, on my skin. Can you give me insight into their creation? Describe the woman you envision wearing each:

SM: Again with Elle, I really wanted to capture the essence of the feminine side of the women. It contains fruity notes that are well rounded but blended with very sophisticated Iris and leather notes. With Lua, I wanted to take a more playful approach. As they both contain iris, the pink pepper in Lua provides a sharper contrast to the leather found in Ellle. Both scents I see as two sides of  a woman; Elle I envision a women in a beautiful dress out on the town at nigh whereas Lua I see a women on a beautiful morning with her friends. A day with a slight breeze and the warm sun. 

I believe that Elle and Lua capture both sides of my personality!!! There are three collection XJ 17/17, Shooting Stars and Casomorati, what are there commonalities and differences?

Sergio Momo: The commonalities in these lines are the ingredients. We at Xerjoff never compromise in the quality of the ingredients used in our scents. The handcrafted nature is a common theme through all the lines. The XJ line takes this hand-crafted nature to the extreme though. The XJ line is my artistic line where I feel the most free to create what I personally love without any boundaries. The Shooting stars line gives me the options to explore themes and regions of the world–rich bases and oriental themes.Shooting stars has a wide variety of scents that allow me to be more experimental as compared to XJ 17/17 and the Casamorati line. 

The Casamorati line is true Italian craftsmanship. I try to stay true to what Italian perfumery is about, Bright and fresh citrus based scents that capture Italy and its past.

Sergio Momo Creative Director of Xerjoff

 

The beautiful flacons are so much part of the Xerjoff story: Can you tell me about their artistry.

Sergio Momo: Xerjoff is all about NATURE and ITALIAN CRAFTMANSHIP. The intent of Xerjoff was to use the best of what the world and nature has provided us and combine this with what man can achieve. Italians have for all of history, taken pride in craftsmanship. This is very evident in the Murano collection of the XJ line. These pieces are handmade by Murano craftsman whose families go back generations. Xerjoff is part of that Italian history and heritage. Each piece is hand blown and no two are the same. They truly are individual pieces that belong only to the specific buyer.

Favorite Artists:

Sergio Momo: CARAVAGGIO and Van GOGH

Favorite painting:

Sergio Momo:Starry Night

Last travel city?  Recount the sights and smells?

Marakesh and its beautiful spice market. Nothing can inspire me more than the smell of spices in this market as all of the worlds offerings are in one place. Where else in the world can you see this?

 Which of your six senses is the most important and why

SM: intuition… I try to go on my intuition to design and come out with scents that I believe will impact people. I don’t do marketing studies to come up with scent. I am inspired by nature and what it has to offer as well as mans ability to mold nature to its liking. Combining these two has always resulted in wonderful creations throughout history.

Tell us a little about the creation of Damarose and Richwood, your latest fragrances

SM: The XJ collection has long been only four scents ( XXY, Homme, Elle and Irisss) I have been playing with patchouli and rose for some time but nothing was truly capturing the nature of the XJ line. Recently I have been able to source some very quality notes that I felt allowed me to finally create these two scents. The timing was right, as I really wanted to add a rose to the line and a patchouli scent.

I love the chocolaty nature of patchouli. I added a touch of rose and citrus to Richwood to bring out some very interesting nuances of the patchouli that I haven’t smelled before. To me, Richwood smells like the barrel of port wine and I love that. Damarose was a creation of necessity as I felt the XJ line would never be complete without a rose scent. Much like Elle, I wanted the rose to be sophisticated. I didn’t want to take it to playful with a bright spring rose feel. I wanted an earthy chypre rose that hasn’t been done in a while and it was not easy to create. The use of the Jasmine to me was critical to create this scent as it allowed me to achieve that perfect feminine counterpoint to the Turkish rose.

What inspired you to use Murano Glass for the x/17 collection?

SM: Being Italian, we are of course exposed to the wonderful history of the Murano Island craftsman. The beautiful vessels are created with pure artistry and are world-renowned. Generation after generation, families teach one another the intricacies of these creations. I wanted to honor that history and heritage by having these wonderful artisans create something that would hold my perfumes. We worked closely with these artists to design a bottle that captured the spirit of the scent and the artistry of the Murano heritage. I believe we did just that. Each bottle is unique and is a work of art. When you hold one of or murano bottles in your hand, you feel the weight of history and tradition.

Courtesy of Sorcery of Scent

Your personal scent:

SM: XJ 17/17 Homme. It is my first and my absolute favorite scent. It holds a special place in my heart as it was my boldest statement. As my first release, it was a chance. I could have either come out with a mainstream scent or something bold and I chose the bold route. Homme may not be for everyone but it is the leather scent that I believed was missing in todays market.

 

Understanding fine art (the jus) deserves fine art, (the flacons), there are many perfume lovers that simply cannot afford the cost of the  XJ 17/17 range.

For example one might love the original Starry Night by Van Gogh, but buy a lithograph. Although you offer a discovery kit, there are many friends in fragrance who write us hoping you will do a min flacon of the individual X/17s. Is this possible for the future?

SM: I would never compare my scents to a Van Gogh, but the XJ 17/17 line was created with a certain idea and philosophy. It was created with the idea of using only the best of the best ingredients and craftsmanship. I cannot compromise any of these aspects in order to reach different audiences. Each piece is hand crafted and painstakingly individual.

 

With that said, we understand the market and have introduced new 100ml versions of the XJ 17/17 line to reach a broader audience. I thought long and hard about this and felt it was the right time to introduce these. Again, each bottle is itself an individual creation as the stone labels that adorn the front are hand cut and hand polished. I felt that these new 100ml bottles still captured the essence of the XJ line while making available to a broader ranger of perfume collectors.

Favorite beverage?

SM: Wine from Verona called AMARONE. It’s a wonderful deep red wine that I absolutely adore. I try to create my scents in the same vein. I love wine this is rich, full bodied and full of amazing notes and I try to translate that to my scents. After all, wine is not merely about taste. The first thing we do when we pour a glass of wine is try to capture the nose and essence of the wine.

Passion outside Perfumery?


SM: My other passion besides perfume is astronomy and the wonders of space. A part of nature we have yet explored and I tried to capture a bit of that which is what inspired me to create the shooting stars collection. This collection is inspired by the Sikhote-Alin meteorite that fell in 1947 in eastern Russia. To have a world so unexplored and so vast to me is fascinating. I wanted to bring a little bit of that into my shooting stars collection. That’s why each shooting stars gift box has a piece of this very meteorite enclosed in it

Xerjoff fragrances often correspond with a precious jewel. I love Tahitian pearl. Is there any plans to use jewels like opals, pearls for the future.

SM: So far I have planned to use mother of pearl but environment regulations are very tight. I would love to be able to create something using this beautiful gleaming white jewel. We are currently working on trying to crate something with this… stay tuned!

Elizabeth Taylor wearing her Bvlgari diamond and 18 carat emerald brooch that Richard Burton gave her as an engagement present in 1962

Favorite jewelry designer?

SM: BVLGARI in the 1950’s and early 1960s

Favorite Quote?

SM:  E.E. Cummings “The Earth Laughs in Flowers”

Is there a signature that defines a Xerjoff fragrance olfactively, a particular series of notes (think Guerlainade or Caron)

Sergio Momo: Iris is a theme or note that runs through most of our line. I truly love iris and the many ways it can be manipulated and I’ve tried to see how many ways we can utilize this particular note. One Iris I have been exploring more is the legendary black Iris of Jordan. I absolutely love the look of the flower and have been working on trying to create something with this note for a while. I believe it is completely underused in todays perfume world and I am trying to do something new and innovative with it.

Is there a flower or resin that you wish to capture but have not as of yet?

Sergio Momo: Real true Oakmoss in large quantities. It has obviously been regulated to the point where it is very hard to use in a scent. I hope to one-day issue a limited edition scent utilizing this note in large quantities. A very limited release maybe to pay tribute to those legendary scents which used to contain loads of oakmoss. 

Prized possession?

Sergio Momo: My Wife and My two kids

What is your phobia?

Sergio Momo: My phobia is definitely a fear of losing creativity. I come from an artistic background and to me and this is what defines me. I look around me everyday to be inspired by what nature has to offer and I try to translate this into my work. This is what Xerjoff is all about. The day I lose this is the day I feel I cease to exist as an artist.

Xerjoff still relatively unknown in the US market, but recently there has been much buzz about Richwood and Damarose?

Sergio Momo: Xerjoff has long been in the Russian, European and Middle Eastern markets but have never felt we were quite ready to tackle the very large and sophisticated USA market. We were able to meet and form a partnership with a company named Dandysin with the partners Khaled and Maya Nasr who are true perfume lovers. When I met them, I felt their passion for the line and their eagerness to get  Xerjoff introduced into the USA market . Since then, they have been able to introduce Xerjoff to really important niche perfume channels and are working at adding many stores across the country. They have also been instrumental in the creation of Richwood.

Sergio Momo of Xerjoff

Can we have a sneak sniff at what you will be showing at Esxence in Milan (www.cafleurebon.com is the site that is hosting the show globally and our Managing Editor, Mark Behnke will be in attendance).

Sergio Momo: We will be releasing a new unisex XJ scent in honor of Italys unification in 1861. The scent will be called XJ 1861 and you are first to announce it:

Top: Bergamont, Mandarin, Lime, Petitgrain, Middle: Rose, Lily of the Valley, Mint and Base: Cedar, Patchouli, Amber and musk.

 

Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

  

Please enter our simply the Best Draw for you choice of 15ml of either Damarose or Richwood. please leave a comment about this interview, your favorite Xerjoff fragrance, your favorite quote from ee cummings or Oscar Wilde, the art of Van Gogh or Carravagio and/or why you, like Tina Turner and Elizabeth Taylor, deserve simply the best. Draw ends  Sunday  3 pm est March 5, 2011

 

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65 comments

  • "And so he would now study perfumes. . . He saw that there was no mood of the mind that had not its counterpart in the sensuous life, and set himself to discover their true relations, wondering what there was in frankincense that made one mystical, and in ambergrise that stirred one's passions, and in violets that woke the memory of dead romances, and in musk that troubled the brain, and in champak that stained the imagination; and seeking often to elaborate a real psychology of perfumes, and to estimate the several influences of sweet-smelling roots, and scented pollen-laden flowers, or aromatic balms, and of dark and fragrant woods, of spikenard that sickens, of hovenia that makes men mad, and of aloes that are said to be able to expel melancholy from the soul." Oscar Wilde…

  • Damarose! Damarose! Who do I have to kill?
    It truly sounds wonderful. I appreciate the fact that they (Xerjoff) are putting great care not only in their fragrances but also in the bottles.
    Over the years I have come to appreciate a beautiful bottle too and not just the juice it contains.
    The always brilliant Oscar Wilde: "I have grown to love secrecy. It seems to be the only thing that can make modern life mysterious or marvelous to us. The commonest thing is delightful if only one hides it" (The Picture of Dorian Gray)

  • Such a beautifully written and intersting article. I have come to expect nothing less from the lovely Michelyn. I am head over heels in love with the Xerjoff perfumes. The quality is incomparable. I would love a 15ml bottle of either of these masterpieces.
    Years ago, I printed this poem by EE Cummings and lamenated it for my sweet husband to keep in his wallet. To this day it remains one of my most favorite poems.
    "i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)i am never without it (anywhere
    i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling)
    i fear no fate (for you are my fate,my sweet)i want no world (for beautiful you are my world,my true)
    and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you

    here is the deepest secret nobody knows
    (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
    higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
    and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

    i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)"
    E.E. Cummings

  • Absolutely fabulous interview!!  I have new respect for the entire line just from reading this, it really added perspective for me.  Of course I'm happy to say I've been lucky enough to sample the entire line thus far….Shooting Stars are good but none called my name loudly enough for a bottle purchase….the Casamoratti line is teasing me "which do you like the best? " so hard to choose….then I started working my way through the XJ line…..Michelyn already knows  I commented that Homme was like being hit with a 600lb block of leather….Homme is the biggest wild leather scent I've ever smelled –way too big and manly for little me—BUT, to someone who might just be thinking "I need a big statement  , take-no-prisoners, type leather…" well, here it is….do not miss this!!  Richwood and Elle –he describes them better, more accurately than I ever could!  XXY was calling my name….it wanted to be mine…then Damarose showed up on my doorstep (ok, in the mailbox) and stole my heart away…..then I locked glances with Verona across my sample crowded desk ….I tested…my credit card veritably floated out of my pocket and a bottle is now on the way!! Damarose, I love you still….my nostrils yearn for you…. I feel some drama coming on…..
    Murano glass….I adore Murano glass…it's just lovely glass to work with and it is the variety I use most when I'm lampworking beads (doesn't everyone have an oxygen concentrator and a bench torch in the corner of their dining room?) 
    Van Gogh = one of my favorite artists of the era (even though the man was ….unusual)   and Caravaggio, well don't get us started on Caravaggio around here! My daughter the art history buff adores Caravaggio (and Bernini naturally)  her favorite Caravaggio is probably the Doubting of St. Thomas.    (putting your finger in someone's spear wound is just RUDE!) 
    Favorite part of the interview: where SM says his most prized possessions are his wife and kids 🙂 Good answer! what a nice guy ! 

  • Oh My ! Loved this interview! I loved his discription of Elle and Lua have any of you layerd these two ?
    Van Gogh is also one of my all time fav's. I would give up my first born (haha) to win this one. I am so intrigued with Sergei and his work, we share the same phobia. Love his response to most prized possession. I will for sure be trying to get my hands on XJ 1861. Thanks Michelyn for such a great interview. As for Tina OMG the woman is simply the best and most amazing.

  • I would love to enter the drawing. I have been wanting to try Xerjoff for quite some time. Great interview.  fave fragrant ee cummings line "and what were roses, perfume?"

  • Finally, I am 100% positive of how to pronounce Xerjoff!  I understand his reasoning for not bringing out smaller bottles, but am disappointed anyway. 
     
    I' be thrilled with either of these, but if forced to pick.  Richwood. I think!
     
    Van Gogh….what an amazing talent but such a tortured soul.  So many years spent suffering from mental illness…I have to wonder if he lived today whether medicine would have helped him. Perhaps he would have been less depressed, but would he still be able to create masterpieces?
     
    Michelyn – great interview by the way!

  • Claudia Kroyer says:

    Where do i start??? Tina Turner all i will say is Fabulous Legs!!!!! I so enjoyed this interview. The Xerjoff fragrances are of such excellent quality and when i saw the pictures of the Murano Glass bottles my jaw hit the floor. Murano Glass & Xerjoff = BEAUTIFUL. I have tried several from the line and truly my favorite right now is Elle. My want to try is the Damarose…….it sound divine.

  • I have a decant of Richwood sitting here and I am almost afraid to try it – afraid to love this line, I guess. Ka-ching. I think I would about kill for one of those Murano flacons, though.
     
    (with up so floating many bells down)

  • tama- the muranos are so beautiful it is my dream too ELLE
    Claudia- Elle and tina all woman with a wild side !!!!
    sara- once you try xerjoff there is no going back
    Sandi- i dont belive in layering. for me its superimposing a van gogh on top of a caravaggio.for em a fragrance must stand alone to be ART
    Holly D- ee cumming such poetry, i agreee
    Ruth- Homme leather it is and thats why its called homme, but why not a woman who’s into leather 🙂 you ahve so many emotional connections to the brand. good luck
    caro fernandez- no killing on Damarose, maybe a little jostling. Love oscar wilde!
    Claudia- damarose rocks just like Tina!
    DK: knows Wilde, but perfume?

  • taffynfontana says:

    Lovely in depth interview, Xerjoff is a brand that I am dying to try.  Love the beautiful bottles and fine craftmanship. My favorite Oscar Wilde quote is " "The mystery of love is greater than the mystery of death."  Both Van Goh and Carravagio were intense and ahead of their times. I love Tina turner for her will to survive and really live.

  • Thanks so much for this great interview. It's always great to get some sense of the perfumer's personality as well as the impetus for their creations.
     I have always enjoyed ee cummings, especially his love poems. But it is one of his simplest lines that I find most true: "The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." 
    Please enter me into the draw. My first choice is the Damarose, but I would not turn down the Richwood (or any other Xerjoff).

  • I am with him on the Amarone, my favorite Italian wine! I'd love to try Damarose….

  • oh that is *the*draw to win. richwood would be my choice. Love those 15 ml bottles.
    great interview and loved the pics…. again. 
    my favourite O.W quote: Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.

  • 'Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter.' The same could be said of perfumes…
    I love well crafted, beautiful fragrances….my wife loves Murano glass…………in Richwood (my 1st choice) and Damarose we may have found the perfect combination…..
    Fingers crossed…

  • My favorite of the line so far is Irisss , but there are many more to try .
    My fave Oscar Wilde quote is the same -" I have the simplest of taste , I am always satisfied with the best…"   ( that is ,  Xerjoff…)
    or as I say , my taste always exeeds my budget…I love Richwood , being a patchouli lover . It has a surprising dry peppery facet on opening . I would love to win some Damarose !

  • As always, congratulations on the interview 🙂  It's really interesting.
    I have only tried some of the Shooting Stars and they are wonderful scents. I would love to try Iriss.
    When I was in Rome I had the chance to see many Carravagios in different churches. They are awesome, and huge! He was a master of the chiaroscuro.

  • Thanks for a great interview. What a nice way to get a better understanding of the inspiration for the line. I have had the opportunity to try a number of samples and the quality is just outstanding. Damarose, Irisss and Verona have been favorites so far. Bouquet Ideal,  from the Casamorati line is rarely mentioned, but it is underrated imo. I wound up with a sample of it and it immediately garnered compliments when I wore it. Richwood wasn't exactly for me, but the quality was immediately apparent. Same with a lot of the masculines. I would love them on other people!

  • Murano glass…sandalwood, such a beautiful and storied history. Great post…This line is something I plan on exploring…

  • Aubrey Loves Perfume says:

    Wow– now THAT'S an interview!  I know that your blog is super popular, but it's amazing that you get such high quality interview time with people like Momo. Information like this really feeds my hobby.

    And congratulations to Momo on the launch of 1861! I can't wait to read all the reviews!

  • elizabeth says:

    I really liked reading this interview. It is wonderful to read of Sergio Momo's creative thoughts and his love and respect for nature. I am especially impressed that his love for nature to the stars! I would like to win either decant, but am most interested in Richwood.

  • "The studio was filled with the rich odour of roses, and when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden, there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac, or the more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn." Oscar Wilde, "The Picture of Dorian Gray
     
    This quote makes me think of Damarose- and how much it would mean to me to own something that precious…a work of art from the scent itself to the beautiful bottle. Now that I am a teacher and the single mother of an incredible little boy- alas! I don't typically have the disposable income to be able to purchase something this divinely decadent. I would appreciate it all the more if I was lucky enough to win a bottle!
     

  • sonia garcia says:

    I'd really love to get my hands on the Richwood, I don't know why but I think I'd love that one, also I want to mention that I sample Irisss and is amazing, one day I'll buy a bottle…

  • Another great interview, Michelyn.  I am always so impressed at your skill in making it clear how one perfume house differs from another.  My favorite Oscar Wilde quote:  " Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken."

  • My favorite Xerjoff fragrance so far is Xerjoff Irisss. It`s one of the best irises scents that i have ever tried so far. You can see the quality and the details about it. I`m still exploring the line, but so far i haven`t find a scent that i didn`t like. They don`t seem edgy, but they seem complex, rich, well crafted, and after reading the interview i can understand why and i can also untersand the option for opulent boxes and bottles. They are pieces of art with high quality fragrances inside.
    Well, if i won the draw, my option will be damarose. I`m curious to try it.
    Thank you for the chance!

  • Stunning interview. I suspect that Americans tend to place luxury items far down in importance so far as daily needs are concerned. And it's a pity. There is something about the Arts that should become a necessary luxury in our lives. Our European friends have long understood this. Art adds an element of joy to our lives, and that includes perfume. To have even a few precious drops of a perfume that contains the BEST of the best ingredients is a true joy. I've enjoyed all the Xerjoff's that I have sampled thus far, and they are all high on my wish list.
    "You're simply the best, better than all the rest"

  • As a movie fiend I have to comment on Eliz. Taylor…her beauty and her spirit! To watch her riding horses when she was so young was amazing…she was fearless! And in "Who's Afraid…"? Could anyone else have done that role justice!
    enter me!

  • i haven't try any from xerjoff line, but i really want to.
    this interview is fascinating, with how he works and how he get his inspirations.

  • I tried Xrejoff Homme before and is one amazing leather scent indeed, I have a little decant that is only use for special ocassions, I'd love to try the new Richwood because I only read god things about that one and how amazing it is, great interview too, it is really cool that we can learn more about the whole process that is behind our favorite perfumes.

  • I have not, as yet, sniffed any of the Xerjoff, fragrances.  I am intrigued by the mention of, sandlewood, as an important part of these scents.
    "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars" ~Oscar Wilde

  • This is how interviews should be…my favorite thus far is Irisss followed by Elle. I've tried 5 and each smell so wonderful…clearly worthy of Murano glass bottles. I've been to the shop in Venice and was in awe. How about a Van Gogh quote?
    I dream of painting and then I paint my dream.
     
    Please enter me in the contest…and let me win. 😉

     

  • I have not had the opportunity to try any Xerjoff scents, but they sound incredible.  I love, love, love your interviews here on CaFleureBon that honor artists in perfumery.  Thank you so much for providing a window into the hearts, minds, and passions of these great creators.  It's inspirational and exciting to read.  Signore Momo – thank you for living your inspiration and giving us art in perfumery.  Those Murano glass bottles are to die for!  And I understand the concept of luxury, much as I fail to indulge in it myself.  I easily spend $1,000 a year on perfume – why not limit it to a few precious, quality fragrances rather than a bunch of so-so scents that I'll never use up in my lifetime anyway?  Hmmm…you've prompted me to rethink my strategy.  More is not better.  I need to delve into that 1/4 French blood in my veins, kick the American thrift mindset, and check out some Xerjoffs.  Thank you.

  • Oh, and forgot to mention which scent I would prefer.  They both sound wonderful.  If I have to choose – Damarose.  Thank you!!!

  • I have never tried a Xerjoff perfume before but the Richwood sounds wonderful. I am also a huge fan of Amarones and Van Gogh–love the passion behind all that heavy impasto and those bold strokes!

  • I would LOVE to win this for my wife…she and I both adore this house.  
    Which relates to my Wilde quote.  She had difficulty indulging through spending money on her desires.  If it were totally up to me, I'd just buy her the Damarose or Richwood.  She, however, would not.  Thus, as Wilde reminds us, "Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination."  If I win, hopefully the scent will inspire her with imagination to acquire more perfume! 
    .

  • sean- love the oscar wilde quote. crossing fingers
    jenm- ah she knows her wines!
    karin, thank you for yoru kind words. But the perfumers tell their story and that is what makes the interview so much of interest
    crushed violet- I love your van gogh quote. you have been to the store, what was it like
    Roberto- I agree that Xerjoff homme is superb, my so wears it
    henrique- and it was so interesting to learn that is Iris is the key signature behind the brand
    kathyrn- Oscar wilde is so quotable
    Aubryy loves perfume, kathyrn and Lori thank you for your kind words on the interview, sometimes, see a prize and forget to mention that
    leslie, beautiful , the room is filled with the rich odour of roses. a brilliant book, so dark and still so contemporary

  • My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or the other of us has to go.

  • Richwood is amazing. AMAZING! It is one of those pleasent surprises in life.  When I first tried it, I didn't care at all for the patchouli, but about a half hour in, it turns into a creamy delight.  I'm saving up to buy this, so would appreciate being entered into the draw. 
    The more life goes on the more I try to search out quality rather than quantity.  I'd much rather spend on something I love (like a great piece of art) than a bunch of useless nicknacks.  I feel the same with fragrance.  And I wear my good stuff all the time.  What's the purpose of holding onto it?
    Please enter me in the draw.
    Best,
    Geordan

  • Khaled Nasr says:

    Hello everyone. This is Khaled Nasr (USA distributor of Xerjoff ) I wanted to thank you all for the very kind comments regarding our line. I know we take a lot of pride in developing amazing scents and we would like to thank Cafleuerbon and especially Michelyn for helping introduce Sergio and our scents to you all. We look forward to developing long relationships with every single one of you and if there is anything you ever need, please don't hesitate to contact Xerjoff. We will always be at your service!
     
    Khaled Nasr

  • NINA Z- please no fighting over xerjoff with inanimate subjects

    Geordan. May we quote you "The more life goes on the more I try to search out quality rather than quantity"

    Kjanicki- ahh we are looking at shotting stars a new twist to wilde

    Khaled- you have helped us tremendously, we hope that our readers will as geordan said  try to search out quality rather than quantity". Thank you and Sergio on behalf of all of us at CaFleureBon

  • Lynne1962 says:

    I loved this interview.  I have a whole new take on Xerjoffs.  I do own a bottle of Irisss.  It is an elegant, classy Iris.  You know it when you smell it!!  I am hoarding it, but not like fine China, I will wear it!  I haven't tried Damarose,,,and would love to experience it.
    Favorite Van Gogh,,,,Sunflowers,,,of course,,I'm from KS. 

  • This was one of my favorite reads in a while. I'm a huge Xerjoff fan (my wallet is not however). I adore Irisss and Damarose. There are many others I love, but these two are my favs. Please enter me in the draw.

  • What a great interview! Maybe you can't compare Xerjoff with van Gogh, but it was very fascinating for me, reading Vincent's letters to his brother Theo, to learn that the painter cared very much about the right frame for a picture, often painting it the exact right color to fit. A little like the combination of jus and flacon of the Xerjoff fragrances, so carefully and masterfully executed. I would love to try Damarose.

  • My favorite ee cummings quote is: "i thank You God for most this amazing day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes".

     

  • d3m0lici0n says:

    I'd love to try the Richwood, I tried Iriss and Homme before and they are simply amazing but way out of my budget, but everything in the Xerjoof range is amazing: presentation and the perfume. And to add that the interview is excellent always learning a little bit more about my favorite and costly hobby, please enter my name in the draw.

  • My favorite Xerjoff fragrance is Kobe. I own a bottle, and love how it combines neroli with very sensual warm notes and that lovely orris Sergio talks about. I would love to sample Richwood… let alone receive 15ml of it.

  • Mikhail Iskandar says:

    I LOVE the gorgeous Murano & Quartz bottles! Unfortunately they are luxury pieces my conscience could ill afford. Not that my wallet wouldn't grumble anyway. So I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from E.E. Cummings:
    "I'm living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart."

  • Thank you much for the excellent interview !  I unfortunately have not been fortunate enough to sample the whole line yet. In fact only sampled a mere three thus fur :o( The, ahem, "monster Homme  leather", XXY and the lllusciiious Irisss. (Which is my favourite so far ! The quality of that orrisss is just WOW !). … And also therefore, am very glad to hear about  all the "Black Iris" plans. For I too happen to share an equal fascination with that most gorgeous of fleur-de-lys. ~ (I even have walls painted in that very exact divine deep purple/black (violack ? ;o) colour. Just majestic ! )  … Actually these flowers happen to be very fragrant. So it would be really interesting to see someone use actual iris flower fragrance notes for once, and not just the rhizome orris. For these have certainly been mostly largely ignored in/by perfumery up to now. ~ (Actually the recently released "Odin 04 Petrana" was also composed around the Jordanian Black Iris (Latin : Iris Petrana). And it actually purports to have both a black iris note and a "wild orris root".  So perhaps the "true iris note" if finally being taken into consideration ?? ~ I don't know, must research more.  … And something certainly to look forward to with Xerjoff.
     I absolutely pine, and would just about kill for one of their Ritulated Quartz bottles. Which are truly magnifiscent :o) Although, I suppose, an Amethyst one would probably be better suited to contain the wonderful Irisss. ~ Can I just have both please ??? :o) …
     But as one of my favourite Oscar Wilde quote states : Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination. ~ And even just getting the one would already qualify me as certainly living waaay beyond mine, unfortunately. (LOL)  … 
    ~ Oh well, at least Xerjoff sparks my very fertile imagination.  … (And if I should be so lucky as to be chosen for the sample, I'd luv me some "Richwood" please. ~ Thank You !!!

  • "Youth is wasted on the young." I think this is quite possibly the truest and most profound thing Wilde ever wrote.

  • angie Cox says:

    The whole casamoratti line is a constant surprise . At first I thought oh a pleasant line of citrus fragrances and then it evolved and each moment took my breath away at the beauty . My daughter and I both love Mefisto a brilliant citrus that warms to a sensuous beauty.

  • I like Iriss best of the Xerjoffs I have tried so far.  But I would love to try some of them sprayed.

  • london- as you read iris is signature to xerhoff
    thought of you Angie Cox on casamoratii. Took your breath a way would make a good video too
    Will C – great quote
    jules- thank you for complimenting us on the interview, amethyst would be beautiful

  • Enjoyed the interview, thank you Michelyn.
    I haven't tried any of Xerjoff's perfumes (eventually I might – just for educational purposes), but – presuming they are good, – I like the idea of something exceptional being beyond everybody's reach (including mine). "Exclusive", "limited", "rare" cannot be ubiquitous by definition.

  • Great interview as always! I haven't tried any Xerjoff but they definitely do sound fab and luxurious. 

  • Great article and interview – I love hearing from the source. My favorite Xerjoff currently would either be Modoc or XXY. I would love to have a bottle of Richwood though – really gorgeous stuff from what I've been able to sample!

  • Michael Devine says:

    Mr. Momo has given us an amazing line of fragrances. I recently sniffed through some of the scents at MiN NY and was just astonished, in particular, by Richwood. The quality is clearly apparent. Love his description of it: smells like “the barrel of port wine.” PERFECT!

  • The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
    e. e. cummings

    I would love to try Irisss and Richwood, they all sound amazing. Thanks fo the draw!

  • I’m a huge fan of Xerjoff’s compositions, the quality is amazing. I have recently purchased sample box No 2. Is it known who is the nose behind some of the compositions? I can feel Maria Candida Gentile’s hand, or rather nose in few of them, especially Modoc.

  • I would love to enter the drawing. I have been wanting to try Xerjoff for quite some time. Great interview. fave fragrant ee cummings line “and what were roses, perfume?”