New Fragrance Review: Lorenzo Villoresi Kamasurabhi + Amrita Sher-Gil Draw

lorenzo villoresi perfumer

Lorenzo Villoresi

Lorenzo Villoresi is a self taught artisan perfumer who in 1990 founded his perfume house in the family’s 15th century Florentine palazzo. His work began to gain traction when Fendi, the Italian fashion house commissioned a range of scented products. Villoresi then moved on to producing his perfume creations. This is the first Lorenzo Villoresi perfume I have tried although I have read a lot about his perfumes. My introduction to the scents was through the fragrance community boards. It was there that I encountered fans writing reviews  of his Patchouli and Sandalo perfumes in glowing terms.

Amrita Sher-Gil Nude, Oil on canvas,

Amrita Sher-Gil Nude, Oil on canvas

 The name of this perfume captured me.  Kamasurabhi means the “perfume of pleasure” in Sanskrit  and it is an exotic and beautiful sounding name that just rolls off the tongue.  Indian imagery in a  toned down “Kama Sutra” was already in my mind before I sprayed the perfume.

The Swing - Amrita Sher-Gil, 1940

The Swing – Amrita Sher-Gil, 1940

The perfume is described thus: “Kamasurabhi is the gentle and deep Indian sensuality, an enveloping embrace of a unique, intense and mysterious universe. Like going through an infinite range of people wearing brightly coloured clothes, emotions and sensations arising from endless nuances of sounds, perfumes and colours.  Humanity without end. The tangible and spiritual fascination of a timeless world.”

shringaar-1940 Shringaar by Amrita Sher-Gil

Shringaar by Amrita Sher-Gil 1940

So many broad themes for this scent! So complex, that the first few times I smelt this perfume I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. There was something there that intrigued me but at first I could not get my head and nose around it.  But after wearing Kamasurabhi many times now I’ve come to the realisation that for me it’s a sensual scent that has two distinct moods for me.  It presents as a rich, opulent floral in the initial throes that is pure pleasure. As the fragrance wears, it has a more sensual style that soothes my senses in the latter stages of its journey. The perfume cocoons me in its silken cloud of meditative serenity.

painted in 1936 by Amrita Shergil. sumair flowers

Sumair by Amrita Shergil-Gil 1939

The opening is sonorous with droplets of rich petals falling on skin.  It’s full bodied and very warm. It harkens back to scents of old with a rich floriental touch. An abundance of florals weave in and out of the scent. The rose, jasmine, ylang ylang, rose, tuberose and narcissus are layered in generous fashion. The florals provide drama but it all feels very smooth.  This is one of those perfumes where you can actually smell the flowers mentioned in the notes. I can’t say this is always the case (for me anyway).

Amrita Sher Gil Landscape 1931

Amrita Sher-Gil  Landscape untitled

There are three ingredients in Kamasurabhi that I’m unfamiliar with, as part of the tropical mix of Indian flowers. Bakul tree buds, Kadamba and Pandanus flowers. Bakul tree buds are described as having a sweet and delicate scent.  The Kadamba tree’s yellow – orange flowers have a floral and woody fragrance that is released at night. And the final element in the tropical arrangement are the flowers of the Pandanus tree with their rich floral scent with touches of greenness and honey.

amrita vinya palyers

Amrita Sher-Gil  The Vinya Players

These Indian flowers definitely add an element of intrigue that lend the perfume an interesting dimension. The sandalwood and ambered base is very smooth and while it lacks the theatrics of the initial stages, this is when the perfume takes on a calming, almost mystical transition and I like it a lot.

1936 by Amrita Shergil. group of three girls

Amrita Sher-Gil Group of Three Girls

I find it an unexpected fragrance by turns floral, woody and with a hint of greenery and candied orange.  It’s one of those mélanges that on first wearing feels like it shouldn’t work, but on following trials the myriad pieces of the puzzle come together and its beauty is revealed. Kamasurabhi is a floral perfume with a mystical oriental heart. It follows a path that once I found my bearings I was happy to follow.

Disclaimer: This review was for the Eau de Toilette concentration. Sample provided by Lorenzo Villoresi

Megan Paki, Editor at CaFleureBon and Editor of Megan In Sainte Maxime

Kamasurabhi lorenzo villoresi

Editor’s Note: I chose the art of Amrita Sher-Gil, (who is known as the Frida Kahlo of India) to bring Megan’s review alive visually. She was a  visionary painter of  Hungarian Jewish and Punjab Indian heritage, who studied in Paris and was influenced by late impressionist  painters such as Paul Gaugin and Paul Cezanne. She applied these techniques to her paintings that captured the  colors and soul of India. She is considered the most influential contemporary Indian female painter and tragically died at the age of 28.  I felt that the Indian inspiration for Kamsurabhi, which is created by a European perfumer was a wondrous metaphor for this perfume. -Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

Thanks to the kindness of Lorenzo Villoresi we have a 50 ml EDT of Kamasurabhi for a registered reader in the USA, EU or Canada. To be eligible please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Megan’s review, where you live and if you have a favorite Lorenzo Villoresi perfume. Draw closes 7/23/2015

We announce the winner’s only onsite and on our Facebook page, so Like CaFleureBon and use our RSS option…..or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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38 comments

  • madeleine gallay says:

    Such a tragedy that A,rita Sher-Gil was gone by 28 – her work, I didn’t know it, is exquisite.

    A flora perfume with a mysterious oriental heart, floral, woody and greens and candied orange … lusting for that. Complicated, and it’s such a beautiful name.

    USA, thank you. Lovely review.

  • The description of the blend of florals is so interesting, and that Lorenzo Villoresi is self-taught. I haven’t had the opportunity to try any of his creations. I live in Ohio in the United States. Thanks for the generous draw.

  • The green notes and candied orange ones sound so very interesting, along with the yellow-orange (a favorite color of mine) night blooming Kadamba flowers. I love Lorenzo Villoresi Teint de Neige, and this one sounds wonderful, too. I live in the USA, Thanks!

  • I have never heard of Lorenzo Villoresi until reading this review. All the florals in this perfume immediately captured my interest. I am intrigued that you can smell the flowers. This is often not the case for me either. I am curious about the three ingredients that I am also unfamiliar with and how they combine with those I know. USA.

  • fazalcheema says:

    I have few of Villoresi creations some of which majorly emphasize Lorenzo’s love for incense. This review hints this is quite unlike any previous Villoresi’s creations, with notes such as rose, tuberose, and jasmine. When I read the name of Amrita, I thought of a classical Indian actress but didn’t know about Amrita Sher Gil who was a painter so I have learnt something new. My favorite Villoresi creation is Piper Nigrum. thanks so much for the draw. i am in the US

  • I love a fragrance which evokes India, my second home. Thank you Michelyn for introducing me to Amrita Sher-Gil. Your taste in art, photography, music, and fragrance is unmatched.

  • I’m very interested in white florals with animalic undertones.

    Curious. Very curious.

    Thanks for the draw. In the US

  • I really appreciated the imagery of rich petals falling on skin. I’m curious about these Indian flowers and how the perfume smells as a whole. Thanks for the review and the draw! I’m in the US.

  • i haven’t had much luck with this brand outside of teint de neige. But this may be the Lorenzo Villoresi for me! I love that the name means perfume of pleasure and that the florals are balanced by wood and leather. I never heard of Amrita Shergil and I loved the paintings used in this review. I live in the U.S.

  • I’d like to thank Megan for introducing me to three new perfume notes, all of which sound appealing. The only Lorenzo Villoresi perfume I’ve tried is Dilmun, with its lovely orange blossom, which is one of my favorite perfumes. I’m in the U.S.

  • I have never read of Lorenzo Villoresi until this review. I love fragrances with intrigue.
    Floral, woody and with a hint of greenery and candied orange sounds interesting.
    I am in USA

  • Interesting review. I have never tried any of Lorenzo Villoresi perfume, but from the review sounds wonderful. I would very like to try Kamasurabhi. I’m a registered reader. I live in Europe.

  • Iphigenia says:

    I loved the paragraph that Megan wrote to describe this perfume:
    So many broad themes for this scent! So complex, that the first few times I smelt this perfume I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. There was something there that intrigued me but at first I could not get my head and nose around it. But after wearing Kamasurabhi many times now I’ve come to the realisation that for me it’s a sensual scent that has two distinct moods for me. It presents as a rich, opulent floral in the initial throes that is pure pleasure. As the fragrance wears, it has a more sensual style that soothes my senses in the latter stages of its journey. The perfume cocoons me in its silken cloud of meditative serenity.
    The perfume of pleasure must smell divine
    Unfortunately, I never had the chance to experience any of Lorenzo Villoresi perfume creations. I live in EU and I thank you for this generous draw.
    Also a big thanks to dear Mrs. Michelyn Camen for this lovely article on Amrita Sher-Gil and her amazing painting works that remind me a lot of Frida Kahlo’s work. Great paintings ❤

  • Lovely review, Megan! I especially like the description of Kamasurabhi as “complex….The florals provide drama but it all feels very smooth.” I’m looking for an exotic floriental for this winter. I’ve never smelled any Villoresi perfumes before and I’d love to try this one. I’m in the USA. Thanks!

  • I’m very curios to experience the trio of unusual note: Bakul tree buds, Kadamba and Pandanus flowers. I’m in the US, thank you for the draw!

  • The colors in those paintings are simply stunning. As another of those who often struggles to tease apart floral notes, i’m very curious about the ones in this fragrance. I’m in the US. Thanks!

  • I really enjoyed discovering these 3 Indian flowers and I would love to discover their fragrance first hand! Those three ingredients in Kamasurabhi , Bakul tree buds, Kadamba and Pandanus flowers. Pandanus tree with its rich floral scent with touches of greenness and honey sounds delightful.
    I am a registered US reader. Thank you for this generous draw. Beautiful artwork.

  • BlessedTA says:

    I like the paintings – very vibrant.

    I’ve not tried Lorenzo Villoresi perfume.

    I’m in Canada, thanks for the chance.

  • luvmarley says:

    The review felt warm and cozy, like this would be comfort scent. The fragrance turning floral, woody, green then touched by orange certainly has my interest. I have not tried any other of Lorenzo Villoresi fragrances. I am in the US. Lovely review, thanks for the draw.

  • I’m in the EU. My favourite Villoresi is Ylang Ylang and I loved the images chosen for the review

  • Robert H. says:

    This sounds really intriguing to me, I really love anything from India, and of course a floral ALWAYS gets my attention. I ‘ve never had the opportunity to try any of the Villoresi line, and would love to! I’m in the USA

  • Hi, Very interesting that he took inspiration from India, what with living in his family’s 15th century palazzo and all, which sounds pretty amazing! I love Teint de Neige and Donna by LV. I would love to try this new one, which sounds like a departure from his Italian inspirationw! USa . Thanks for the draw.

  • Amrita Sher-Gil is wonderful–I can’t believe I’m only learning about “India’s Frida Kahlo” now!

    Never smelled Pandanus in the flower, but the Maj has it and kewd(r)a water from the local Indian store also. It has a powdery-rainy feeling, green and grounding.
    The other two are new to me– would love to learn more about them through Kamasurabhi. Favorite part of the description: ” It presents as a rich, opulent floral in the initial throes that is pure pleasure. As the fragrance wears, it has a more sensual style that soothes my senses in the latter stages of its journey. The perfume cocoons me in its silken cloud of meditative serenity.”

    USA

  • Nice review! My favorite Lorenzo Villoresi perfume is Incensi.
    “The tropical mix of Indian flowers” sounds very interesting to me.
    Thank you. US

  • I enjoyed Megan’s review of thisl fragrance and the numerous flowers that “you can actually smell the flowers mentioned in the notes”. I live in the US and have not yet had the pleasure of wearing a Lorenzo Villoresi perfume.

  • Great review Megan! I absolutely love Indian culture. And especially Indian inspired fragrances. This scent sounds very well made and would be an amazing add to any collection! I’ve never tried any of the fragrances before, but I wouldn’t mind starting in the future. I’m in Canada

  • I am completely blown away the he was self taught!! This was a great review. I live in the US and haven’t tried anything by this perfumer yet!

  • JazzBelle says:

    I find it fascinating that this perfume has so many broad themes. It’s rare to find a perfume where one can make out each and every note. I love the exoticness that this fragrance evokes. Also notes of florals I’ve never heard of before, yet smelled!

    I have never tried anything by Lorenzo Villoresi so this perfume is very exciting to me.

    I live in the USA.

  • The tropical flowers sound interesting.
    I’ve never tried Lorenzo Villoresi Perfums before, but I’d love to try this.
    I live in the USA.

  • Lovely written review. I like that it harkens back to scents of old with a rich floriental touch. This sounds so good. I haven’t tried Lorenzo Villoresi scents yet. I’m in EU.

  • Bakul, Kadamba and Pandanus – these sound surely like ingredients of a most exotic cure mixture! Namely – a potion to heal a broken heart! I love the paintings of Amrita Sher-Gil – thanks for pointing them out!
    I have never tried any of Lorenzo Villoresi’s perfumes, and I hope I would get the chance!
    Thank you for the draw!
    I am in Bulgaria (EU).

  • rodelinda says:

    Can I just start off by saying how jealous I am of his 15 century Florentine palazzo? I wish he would bottle the scent of that!

    I love any perfume that introduces me to notes one can’t normally find in Western perfumery, like these Indian flowers. I’m in the US, and my favorite is Yerbamate. Thank you for the drawing.

  • Kamasurabhi sounds so sinfully indulgent! White florals make my heart sing, and the three mysterious ingredients make me long for India. My recent life-altering trip to there unveiled a culture so lush and vibrant, one can’t help but revel in. This is how I imagine Kamasurabhi, too. A sultry, oriental floral like this would be fantastic for the lazy late summer months, the subdued base comforting and reminiscing of the fragrance’s initial explosive sensuality.
    My favorite Lorenzo Villoresi creation is the first of his I ever tried – Donna. It’s one of those unforgettable scents that shape a person’s taste and stay with them as an aromatic point of reference – faintly vintage, tantalizingly delicate, a bastion of femininity and timeless, unobtrusive glamour.
    I live in Canada, and thanks for the opportunity!

  • What an interesting fragrance. I love the use of florals of it. India is a beautiful place, I’ve been there numerous times. Hopefully this scent reminds me of my experience there! I have not tried any fragrances from Lorenzo Villoresi.
    I’m a Canadian reader and thank you!

  • sandipants says:

    wonderful review! i’m most interested in the description of the indian flowers (not found in western perfumes). thank you for this draw! i live in the states.

  • Greg Mayne says:

    The mix of floral, woody, and green notes makes for a great scent! I like the Indian them this fragrance takes and it should make for an exquisite scent. I’ve never tried anything but I wouldn’t mind starting. Canada

  • I’m with Megan — I’d never heard of those ingredients, either, but I will pay attention the next time I see bakul tree buds, kandama, and pandamus flowers: I love reading reviews like this, where I learn new things! My favorite Villoresi fragrances are Sandalo and Tein de Neige, and I live in the U.S. Thanks for the draw!

  • mrita Ser-Gil, as well as the flowers mentioned in the review, now that I have read this. I am not very familiar w/the Villoresi line, but this sounds like a good starting point. I live in the US