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A rose is a rose is a rose…

So stated the wondrous Gertrude Stein in her 1913 poem Sacred Emily; this image would be echoed in 1954 by Aldous Huxley in his Doors of Perception.

And so many others, besides: Robert Frost, Ernest Hemingway, William Carlos Williams, Bret Easton Ellis…

It’s a fairly long list.

Gertrude Stein by Pablo Picasso ( the rumpus.net)

But first came Will Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet:

“What’s in a name?

That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet “.

Ah, the Law of Identity, the Rule of Three;-)

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_identity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_Three

Aristotle insisted: everything that exists has a specific nature, and it possesses characteristics that are a part of what it is.

In ancient mathematics- as in writing – the usage of three lends emphasis and increases the satisfaction one experiences.

Was perfumer Neil Morris aware of this when he created his parfum A Rose Is A Rose?

Three glorious roses well bedded and wedded.

Or was it felicitous happenstance, the subtext of an active subconscious at play?

I’ll leave you with that question, I think.

During this blissfully verdant season, I am filled with cravings.

I crave flowers.

City-born and bred and city-dweller, I am nonetheless a not-so-covert and impassioned naturalist, whose very heart leaps at the carillon of pre-dawn birdsong, the moist , tantalizing aroma of nascent undergrowth, the visual reminder of the Eternal Return.

ROSES.

I greedily examine all my neighbors’ yards for signs of promise…gardens are a treasured privilege in South Boston, not to be taken cavalierly

.

Roses make everything better.

Friend and perfumer Neil Morris knows and understands this longing well.

About six months ago, Neil met with many fragrance lovers, and a very dear mutual friend, Gabrielle–

An exquisite nose in her own right ;-).

When asked what she felt was ‘missing’ from the scope of perfumery, Gabrielle expressed a desire for a rose scent that was truly rose– unadulterated by competing floral notes.

Our gentle giant agonized for six months over this particular request; he loves to pleasure those he loves, AND he enjoys a good challenge.

He sent his completed parfum to Gabrielle and myself.

And now, to you, dear readers-

Before he releases it during this upcoming weekend’s Sniffapalooza.

spacesynapses.blogspot.com

Neil Morris: A Rose Is A Rose Parfum

Notes:

Peony Blossom

Aldehydes

Bulgarian Rose

Arabian Rose

Moss Rose

Myrtle Wood

Ambra Musk

Neil is a great admirer of the power of aldehydes– their ability to dazzle, diffuse, lift a scent, create space within it.

Peony and rose adore one another; coupled, they reveal a lushness, a plushness that neither alone possesses to such an extent.

Myrtle wood is another much- beloved color in Neil’s olfactory palette.

An evergreen which flourishes in the Pacific Northwest, the myrtle leaves are often substituted for bay laurel in cuisine; the wood and its resin, are referred to in Biblical texts.

There is a warm freshness here that is compatible with the rose, helping to prolong her without dramatically changing her fundamental color.

Ambra Musk: how to describe this?

I’ve sniffed it Chez Neil. It’s a deep and grounding musk with a subtle earthiness to it, meant to be used in minute quantity- which it is.

Between the myrtle and the musk, a greenness and sappy, soil-like quality is introduced-

Very quietly, mind, so as not to wake the roses.

It simply sidles up to them affectionately, to warm its feet in bed.

fineartsprintsondemand.com

And the sleeping roses?

Oh, my.

A trio of them, each lovely and unique: the buxom Bulgarian, the sultry Arabian, the shy, soft Moss rose.

I wouldn’t want to choose among them, they each so dear and unique; together, they harmonize seamlessly.

A Rose Is A Rose is charming, and manages to be gently present with long duration.

Its sillage is dependent on dosage- if you are a ‘big spritzer’, the effect is more pronounced.

[When dealing with soliflores, I personally prefer to adhere to the “less is more” maxim, myself 😉 ]

My darling, discerning, and stubborn husband is very fond.

Would one of you like to like to discover this for yourself?

I will make a lovely decant of the pure perfume for a dear reader.

Please share with us your particular fondness for the rose, or its perfumer….

Or why you love the Spring as we at CFB do;-) Draw closes April 29.

If you can't be at Sniffapalooza to see Neil in person this is the next best thing.

A Song of Springtime by John William Waterhouse (johnwilliamwaterhouse.com)

And a lovely, nourishing scented Spring to all!

-Ida Meister, Senior Editor