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May 11, 2017

New Fragrance Review: Parfums de Marly Delina (Quentin Bisch) 2017 + A Horse of A Different Color Draw

Quentin Bisch of Givaudan (Photo from Quentin)

Parfums de Marly is a House that features two of the great passions of the court of Louis XV: fragrance and purebred horses. Since 2009, Julien Sprecher, creative director for Parfums de Marly, has guided the creation of a “pedigreed stable of scents”, each one dedicated to the elegant fragrance styles of Versailles and named for a breed or an individual horse (you can read about the horse Delina, a mare who is 9 years old here). I am not a horse expert, so what immediately got my attention is that the perfumer for Delina is the young and talented Quentin Bisch.

Parfums de Marly Delina (photo:Parfums de Marly)

Even before the first spritz, Parfums de Marly Delina scented my imagination. My initial clue to the composition was the pale pink box with the horses of Parfums de Marly emblazoned in gold on the front.  The bottle, also pink but a bit warmer in tone  – a cameo pink perhaps – is made of gorgeous opaque, pressed glass, adorned with pink tassels, a pink crystal jewel sparkling on the top of the cap.  It was obvious – Delina had to be a pink perfume.  But what about the shade, intensity and hue?  And what exactly does the color of pink symbolize in perfumery; what message does it convey? 

Christina Rossetti as a model for The Divine Comedy by Dante Gabriel Rosetti

The 19th century poet Christina Rossetti, sister of (and often model for) the famous Pre-Raphaelite painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti, posed a similar question. In her children’s poem “Color” she had an answer:

“What is pink? A rose is pink

By the fountain’s brink…” – Christina Rossetti

This sweet, simple and childlike interpretation of pink is one of countless poetic explorations of the various shades of the color.

Illustrator Marcel Vertes Shocking Elsa Schiaparelli 1937

The 20th century fashion and perfume designer, Elsa Schiaparelli (rival and contemporary of Gabriel Chanel) known for her daring and artistic designs, was in love with the color pink.  She considered her signature “shocking pink” or “hot pink” to be “life-giving, like all the light and the birds and the fish in the world put together…” My take on pink borrows a little from each of these observations, but I look at the color from a very different perspective. I have learned, over the years, that when innocence discovers passion, pink is born. When the lifeblood of red encounters the purity of white, pink will bloom.

Painting by Dante Gabriel Rosetti Lilith

Delina unfolds with taste of tart, sweet lychee and tangy rhubarb made transparent with the fresh shimmer and zest of bergamot.  I savor the opening as I would a ripe lychee, the bright skin of the fruit flushing cerise against the white flesh, suspended in a glass of sparking pink champagne. I enjoy this refreshment – with a dash of nutmeg – for an hour or two before the composition is suffused with a rosy glow.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti – Monna Rosa 1867

The intensity and extravagance of peonies and the lush dewy quality of early blooming roses is transformed into ethereal elegance by the waxen, at once translucent, freshness of Lily of the Valley. The floral heart stays in place for at least five hours before Delina begins a slow evolution toward vanilla, white musk Cashmeran and dry, sweet woods, floating over a resinous suggestion of frankincense and the ever present sprinkling of nutmeg. Delina remains on my skin for more than twelve hours, noticeably pink but never invasive, sensual and seductive but always elegant and polite.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti: Fair Rosamund, 1861.

Yes, Parfums de Marly Delina is definitely a pink perfume, an exquisitely feminine bouquet of fruits, flowers and spice.  I experience Delina as the innocent blush of a young woman’s cheek, animated and colored by the ardor of a grand passion. 

Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Roman de la Rose 1864

To achieve this effect the perfumer, Quentin Bisch, combined the red, pink and white fragrance notes of flowers, fruits and plants that bloom and ripen in springtime.  He then touched them all, ever so gently, with a kiss of nutmeg, delicate vanilla and woods, creating a lively and sensual tribute to the passion and the power of pink.

Notes: Bergamot, lychee accord, rhubarb accord, nutmeg, Turkish rose, vanilla, musk, Haitian Orpur vetiver, cedar, frankincense, Cashmeran.

Disclaimer:  Many thanks to The Fragrance Group and Parfums de Marly for the beautiful bottle of Delina. Opinions are my own.

–Gail Gross, Editor

Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

Thanks to the generosity of The Fragrance Group and Parfums de Marly we have one 75ml bottle ($290) of Delina Eau de Parfum for one registered reader in the US. (be sure to register or your comment will not count). To be eligible, tell us what appeals to you about Delina based on Gail’s review, your favorite perfume from Parfums de Marly and  your favorite shade of pink or favorite quoe with the word pink in it. Draw closes 5/14/2017. 

Delina is available at Nordstroms in the USA

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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24 Comments

  1. avatar Elizabeth T. says:
    May 11, 2017 at 9:25 pm

    That bottle. It couldn’t be any more lovely.

    I haven’t tried any perfumes from this house, but my favorite pink is Jem and the Holograms pink!

    Rhubarb, nutmeg, frankincense and rose. Ahhhhhh. What a combination. Thanks for the wonderful review!

  2. avatar MikasMinion says:
    May 12, 2017 at 12:07 am

    I adore nutmeg so didn’t even need to read further, though I did. I can’t think of a quote about pink and I’m not sure I have a favorite shade. I like soft pink as much as dusty rose and shocking fuchsia.

  3. avatar melisande says:
    May 12, 2017 at 12:57 am

    Wow, what a lovely description! Delina sounds quite intriguing especially the opening bright and fresh.

    I’ve never tried any frags from this brand.

    My favorite quote is: “Pink is the color of romance and a friend tells me that the girl with the pink dress at the party is the one who is selected for each dance”

    Thank you for the draw! I live in the US.

  4. avatar VerbenaLuvvr says:
    May 12, 2017 at 2:15 am

    It sounds as of much thought has gone into each aspect of this fragrance, in composition as well as presentation. I have no experience yet with this house. My favorite pink shade is rose pink. I live in the US.

  5. avatar karo says:
    May 12, 2017 at 2:37 am

    What appeals to me the most is that Delina sounds exactly like the type of fragrance I’m into right now. Exotic and unique notes of lychee and rhubarb over a woody, resinous, green, spicy, floral heart and base. I don’t really have a favorite Marley yet. Hot pink is my favorite shade. I’m in the US. Thank you so much.

  6. avatar fazalcheema says:
    May 12, 2017 at 7:39 am

    I am aware Elsa Schiaparelli loved pink and invented the term Shocking Pink. Her interpretation of pink reflected her times and I am intrigued how Quentin has interpreted pink in reflecting our time. It has floral and fruity aspects and mostly this is a combination that does not work, thanks to countless compositions out there that make it difficult to come up with novel composition. Quentin is creative and I am interested in seeing what he has come up with. Thanks for the generous draw. I am in the US.

  7. avatar mrpeeck says:
    May 12, 2017 at 10:09 am

    This is something that I really think my wife would adore! When innocence discovers passion and the lifeblood of red encounters the purity of white, pink will bloom. How Poetic.. The scent of feminine bouquet of fruits, flowers and spice expressing the description of the what the color/essence of what Pink is. I do live in the US… THANK YOU

  8. avatar zamar says:
    May 12, 2017 at 10:54 am

    Like always, thank you Gail for the great review. Me and my wife tested Delina last week in Nordstorm. I am already in love with that. Very nice, soft, pleasant and smooth floral, mostly Peony, with the bed of Musk that the taste of Rhubarb equalizes the sweetness.
    Performance is unbelievable, very noticeable projection and very long lasting.
    Great job of De Marly. My favorite from the house is woody-smoky Byerley.
    Thanks for the opportunity and I live in the US.

  9. avatar FragsUT says:
    May 12, 2017 at 11:45 am

    I loved Gail’s investigative approach to this review. My favorite PdM fragrance would have to be Herod, but this fragrance sounds divine! Something I’d love to gift my wife for her upcoming birthday! My favorite shade of pink is watermelon. Thanks for the draw. I live in the U.S.

  10. avatar Cbrian says:
    May 12, 2017 at 11:57 am

    What an absolutely lovely description of a fragrance. Gail has a wonderful skill for reviews. I am astounded to know that I haven’t sampled this before, as I love all of the listed notes. I haven’t tried any Parfums de Marley yet, but my favorite quote with pink in it is, “Pink isn’t just a color, it’s an attitude!” by Miley Cyrus. And I do live in the US. Thanks!

  11. avatar GrandmaGaga says:
    May 12, 2017 at 12:49 pm

    I had the opportunity to sample Delina recently and although my favorite from the house of Parfum de Marly has always been Safanad, Delina is giving her a run for her money! (Yes, that is a horse pun…) My favorite pink is bright fuschia. I am in the US.

  12. avatar ntabassum92 says:
    May 12, 2017 at 1:38 pm

    Ooh a pink perfume! With lychee and rose and nutmeg – sounds divine. I love softly feminine perfumes. I have never tried a Parfums de Marly perfume. My favorite shade of pink is a soft baby pink – the kind of pink you wear in spring 🙂

  13. avatar NiceVULady says:
    May 12, 2017 at 4:29 pm

    Lychee, peony, and rose…sounds awesome. I love all shades of pink. They can be very flattering to wear. Thanks so much for the draw. i live in the USA

  14. avatar alexi says:
    May 12, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    hi first thnx for giveaway ,the bottle looks amazing,the notes really appeal to me about this perfume,my favorite PDM is Layton,and favorite pink color is pearlescent pink
    .u.s resident

  15. avatar gregorysop says:
    May 12, 2017 at 6:04 pm

    I typically only respond to frags that are unisex in nature being a guy and would love to try them myself but I really would love to see how this scent reacts with my wife. She loves pink in pastels. Bergamot is generally a note that I like in my colognes and I am interested how it works on her with the interesting notes and turkish rose.
    From USA

  16. avatar doveskylark says:
    May 13, 2017 at 10:18 am

    My favorite flowers are peonies, so I’d love to try this. Lychee can come on strong, but the nutmeg and bergamot sound like the perfect notes to balance things out.
    I love Habdan form this house.
    I love the color of pink that you’d sometimes see in the 70’s Fiorucci advertisements–neon and bubblegum pink.

  17. avatar rodelinda says:
    May 13, 2017 at 1:29 pm

    When I read about an “ever-present sprinkling of nutmeg,” I get excited! I rarely pay much attention to perfume bottles, but this one caught my eye. It reminds me of my grandmother’s bottle of Chantilly lotion that was always on her vanity. I’ve never tried a Parfums de Marly fragrance before. My favorite quote mentioning pink is in the song Little Boxes:

    Little boxes on the hillside,
    Little boxes made of ticky tacky,
    Little boxes on the hillside,
    Little boxes all the same.
    There’s a green one and a pink one
    And a blue one and a yellow one,
    And they’re all made out of ticky tacky
    And they all look just the same.

    I’m in the US. Thanks for the drawing!

  18. avatar tarena says:
    May 13, 2017 at 10:17 pm

    Love the tidbit about Elsa Schiaparelli. One of my favorite lipstick shades is NARS Schiap, which is indeed a shocking pink and a great tribute to Elsa. While pink isn’t my favorite color, pink perfumes are probably my favorite. Pink florals, pink fruits, pink sweets – they’re the best. I’ve been seeing rhubarb in fragrances a lot lately, but the addition of lychee and peony in Delina sounds just so delightfully mouthwatering. Haven’t tried anything from Parfums de Marly (yet!) In the US.

  19. avatar Gypsy Parfumista says:
    May 13, 2017 at 10:20 pm

    I love the way Gail started by defining the color by asking and analyzing “What is Pink?” and how innocence finding passion is when pink blooms! The ideal of lychee and rhubarb together along with her description of the fruit itself and how the perfume echoed it was fab!

    My favorite PDM is Hamdani (Arabian Breeds) for its smokiness and raw power.

    My favorite shade of pink is hot pink.

    U.S. resident here.

  20. avatar Hikmat Sher Afridi says:
    May 14, 2017 at 1:59 am

    Wonderful & admirable review! Pink is the sign of beauty. What a solid explanation of Pink: When innocence discovers passion, pink is born. When the lifeblood of red encounters the purity of white, pink will bloom.
    The notes of Delina are alluring and sounds amazing that defining all shades of Pink. My favorite from PdM are Lippizan and Herod.
    Thanks to the generosity of The Fragrance Group and Parfums de Marly, and Cafleurebon for the opportunity to participate in the draw by letting my relative address in US.

  21. avatar Bryan Christopher says:
    May 14, 2017 at 9:15 am

    Thanks for the generosity The Fragrance Group and Parfums de Marly. The only PdM fume that I’ve smelt recently was Herod and I like it. I love the cherry blossoms which are pink in color and hopefully I could see one bloom in person sooner than later. Delina based on Gail’s review was exciting for me to smell, as I’m currently wearing another creation of Mr. Bisch (Angel Muse) to celebrate Mother’s day. I want to smell another fragrance made by him with a whole new set of notes altogether to appreciate his mastery in perfumery. Happy Mother’s day to everyone and thanks for the chance!

  22. avatar hofken says:
    May 14, 2017 at 8:49 pm

    Based on Gail’s review, Delina sounds delicious. I have not yet had the pleasure of wearing a perfume from Parfums de Marly.
    “I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” Audrey Hepburn

  23. avatar Cynthia says:
    May 14, 2017 at 8:58 pm

    I love this pink bottle and the smell of peonies! Sounds lovely. USA

  24. avatar rox says:
    May 15, 2017 at 10:49 am

    The bottle is gorgeous!!! I adore woody fragrances and I think the rhubarb and nutmeg combination would be divine! The horses are an interesting little tidbit. Thanks for this wonderful opportunity.

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