DSH Perfumes Oeillets Rouges (2003), Albino (2015) and Jacinthe de Sapphir (2014) Dawn Spencer Hurwitz + Red, White & Blue Draw

On July 11, 2011 Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes was featured in CaFleureBon's first official Profile in American Perfumery. Dawn is one of our most talented and prolific independent American perfumers; a visual artist and master of color and design, who distills the essence of her artistic sensibilities into every perfume she creates. It seems only fitting that we celebrate our American Independence Day with perfumes by one of our most loved independent American perfumers. Today I am exploring the colors of red, white and blue via three fragrances by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz: DSH Perfumes Oeillets Rouges, Albino and Jacinthe de Sapphir.

DSH Oeillets Rouges (2003) is all about red, the color of energy, ambition, power and action – and of course sexuality, passion and luck. Red is optimistic and confident, extroverted, and courageous. The scent of spicy red carnations, grounded in amber, honey and myrrh, is featured in this bright, happy and seductive fragrance. DSH Oeiletts Rouges charms and energizes with notes of bergamot, green peppercorn, nutmeg, carnation, honey, beeswax, amber, ambergris, myrrh and vanilla.   

White is not simply the absence of color but a collection and balance of every color in the visual spectrum, always changing and fresh.  White is a symbol of perfection, purity, innocence and new beginnings, signifying openness and creativity. Albino A Study in White (2015) by DSH is white at its most luminous and translucent. The fragrance showcases a buoyant grapefruit accord, reminiscent of white pomelo supported by ambrette seed, raspberry, basil, rhubarb, white cognac, tonka bean, sandalwood, vetiver CO2, white oak and musk.  

Blue is the color of loyalty, truth and reliability, peace, contentment and wisdom. DSH Perfumes Jacinthe de Sapphir (2014) embodies these qualities of blue as represented by a radiant Cartier sapphire owned by the early 20th century queen of Romania, Maria of Edinburgh. The color of this glowing blue gem and the sweet, waxen purity of blooming hyacinth are expressed via notes of violet leaf, galbanum, bergamot, hyacinth, rose de mai, narcissus and tuberose, all resting on a earthy base of tolu and Peru balsams, vetiver, styrax and civet.

Detail from 1954 Jasper Johns iconic Flag painting

Today  and tomorrow, the stars and stripes are flying everywhere and can be found decorating just about everything from pinwheels to paper plates. Over the years the flag of the United States of America has come to signify so many things; patriotism, resistance, joy and even sorrow. This 4th of July I won't be attending parades or fireworks displays but I will be celebrating the red, white and blue with the passion of Oeillets Rouges, the perfection of Albino and the peaceful, beauty of Jacinthe de Sapphir. I will also be enjoying many other favorites from Dawn Spencer Hurwitz extensive and multifaceted body of work, a collection of fragrances as exciting and diverse as the America we love.   

Many thanks to Dawn Spencer Hurwitz and DSH perfumes for the samples of Red, White and Blue – Oeillets Rouge, Albino and Jacinthe de Sapphir.  My opinions are my own.

—Gail Gross, Editor

Art Director: Michelyn Camen Editor-in-Chief: I used Dawn’s own paintings for this article and the iconic Flag by Jasper Johns 1954, who painted this 2 yrs after being discharged from the US Army and was inspired by a drream he had. Please support American Perfumery and order a sample of something you are longing for on www.dshperfumes.com.  Our indie American perfumers sponsor more worldwide draws than any other artisans anywhere. Most ship worldwide and Dawn certainly does!

Thanks to the generosity of Dawn Spencer Hurwitz we have one "Red, White and Blue" sample set (Oeillets Rouges, Albino and Jacinthe de Sapphir) available to one registered reader anywhere in the world.   (Be sure to register or your comment will not count). To be eligible for the draw, tell us what appeals to you about Gail's reviews, if you have tried any of these red, white and blue inspired perfumes, if you are a fan of American Indie Perfumery and where you live. Draw closes July 7, 2017

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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13 comments

  • Francesca Brice says:

    I am a fan of Indie American Perfumery and really all through the talented and informative writings here. Well showcased you’ve introduced many of us to your art. I thinking throwing oneself on a Dawn Spencer perfume for the 4th might be the way to go-certainly there’s a lot to consider around the pragmatic red, white and blue these days. Experienced through Gails writing however these colors/ expressions are elevated to their true pure meaning and may be celebrated as was their intention long ago. Considering these interpretations they will / must make us stronger. As the sun is streaming through my window here in New Zealand or Aotearoa as many of us prefer to call her, I see Joan d’arc holding the colors and this time there’s no catestrophic ending- its a call to peace and unity. Never had the good fortune to try any of the red/white or blue fragrances. Another generous worldwide draw- we’re with you in that 🙂

  • Patsi says:

    I’m always amazed by the prolific Dawn Spencer Hurwitz. She is an artist and perfume maker and seems to encompass the two beautifully. I am stoked at the chance to try some more of her perfumes. I’ve not tried these 3 but own a couple and love them all. I am most certainly a fan of Dawn and her perfumes.
    I live in the UK and wish everyone a happy 4th July whilst keeping my fingers crossed for this draw. thanks for the chance Michelyn and Dawn.

  • VerbenaLuvvr says:

    What a great idea for a draw! I loved the synesthesia of these three fragrances, any would be appropriate for the day. I have not tried any of these, but did sample chinchilla recently. American indie perfumers ROCK, and I try to support them when possible. I just ordered some perfume from the January Scent Project today, in fact! 🙂 I live in the US. Thank you!

  • aurora_ru says:

    Red, white and blue are my favorite colours, and my favorite combination, so I would be happy to win those samples and colour out my life a little bit (I live in the EU). The description of notes sound unusal and evocative. I have never tried DSH-perfumes and this would be a perfect start. And Happy 4th of July to all American readers!

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Happy Independence Day to All Americans! What a great country it is & there are many wonders in America to visit. I would love to visit America once in a life time to explore & buy tons of American perfumes. Thanks for the review, Gail Gross! DSH Red (Oeillets Rouges) and Blue (Jacinthe de Sapphir) tempting me most, as the notes are interesting & my taste. My favorite DSH perfume is Prince.
    Thanks to the generosity of Dawn Spencer Hurwitz and CafleureBon for the opportunity. Pakistan

  • roxhas1cat says:

    What a great article for this time of year. I just got home from a first visit to Mt. Rushmore, so feeling very patriotic. Dawn’s art work is beautiful! So much talent, lucky to have her as an American perfumer. Gail’s description of the Albino intrigued me the most, I just don’t give the color white much thought. I only have one American indie fragrance in my small collection (I’m fairly new to niche fragrance), but I have been sampling some and want to go more American with my future purchases. Thanks for sharing Dawn’s talent.

  • NiceVULady says:

    I’m a great fan of Indie perfume. Gail’s descriptions sound fascinating. I’ve not tried any of these fragrances, so it would great to win. Thanks for the draw. I live in the USA

  • ntabassum92 says:

    What an interesting idea, to pick three colored fragrances that symbolize our beautiful flag. Each color has a mood that I might have guessed before reading the reviews, but also had some surprises – red wasn’t just sexy, it also seems comforting with honey and myrrh, similar surprises with white and blue. I have not tried any of these particular perfumes mentioned, but I am a fan of American Indie Perfumery in general. I love what these “smaller” brands are doing in terms of creativity – they give us so many more options than the mainstream. I am in the US.

  • Amy M. says:

    Hi I live in the US, and am a lover of many of Dawn’s fragrances. I always have Vert Pour Madame on hand, and love Pandora, Bancha, and Mirabella. Everything in this article appealed to me, as I have not tried either 3 of the fragrances described. I’m especially interested in Oeiletts Rouges as I’d love to see how Dawn works with some of my favorite notes and accords – beeswax, honey, ambergris, and myhrre. Thanks for giving so much attention to American perfumery, Cafleurebon, and thanks for the draw!

  • Vahagn says:

    Thanks a lot for interesting review, especially for nice comparition colors with notes))
    I’ve never tested any american Indie Perfumerie((
    From Armenia

  • doveskylark says:

    I love anything related to sapphire. I also love the idea of a hyacinth note. I’d so like to try Jacinthe de Sapphir.
    I am a big fan of American Indie perfume. I like anything independent and want to support small businesses. I look forward to the profiles in this series and marvel at the creativity of these perfumers.
    I live in the USA.

  • hofken says:

    I enjoyed Gail’s review and “the passion of Oeillets Rouges, the perfection of Albino and the peaceful, beauty of Jacinthe de Sapphir” appeal to me. I have not yet had the pleasure of wearing any of these red, white and blue inspired perfumes, I live in the US and am a fan of American Indie Perfumery.

  • Greg Sh says:

    Great read! Definitely a fan of indie perfumers. There’s such talent in America so I’m glad indie houses get recognized. I don’t think I’ve worn any red, white, and blue inspired scents. I may be wrong though haha. I’m in Canada and thanks for the draw!