Light the fuse.
Cue the Lalo Schifrin theme music.
Lights up.
Da-da- dada…Da-da-dada…..this muffled sound seemed to be coming from deep inside my purse. Its driving rhythm was incredibly familiar and strangely seductive; its insistent pulse propelled and transformed me. Yes, there it was again. As I opened my purse it became louder, DA DA DADA- DA- DA- DADA. Wait, I know that sound, it’s the Mission: Impossible theme. Could this be my personal theme for the evening? I was on a mission. The dark city streets, tunnels and alleyways easily parted in my presence. I was powerful now, I knew that I had failed once before, but now my connections were in place. I entered through a tiny portal leading to a substantial chandelier, and I found myself effortlessly hanging horizontally, just like Tom Cruise, only better. I looked down, and saw Chad and Chandler (Burr) deep in conversation and I thought, hmmmm where’s Mindy? I jumped and landed lightly on the dark wooden floor of MiN New York. My coordinates were waiting for me. “I’m Agent (CaFleureBon contributor) CC,” I said. “Wait here,” she said. Time passed. The exchange was made. I opened my purse and the music got louder. I secretly placed the vial inside the tiny side pocket and quickly zipped it shut. Before I left I managed to have a few sips of Mindy’s delicious mixed cocktail topped with a blueberry or two and a sprig of lavender, nice aromatic touch, I thought. I turned around, looked both ways and jumped up and out through the portal into the night. Mission complete, vial of Xerjoff, Dama Bianca, EDP secured. Roll the credits…wait don’t change that channel here comes the review.
The sublime Dama Bianca is the seventh installment of the Casamorati collection. The Casamorati collection is a tribute to the Italian fragrances of 18th and 19th century, and the first of its line that I have reviewed. An excerpt from its romantic description is below, as described by the house of Xerjoff
Casamorati, Profumi dal 1888, Dama Bianca, “The White Lady” is a story of a lady trapped within her dreams as high above the vistas, she gazes out into what lay beyond. Locked behind walls of jealousy and deception, her only escape is the fragrant notes of fruits and flowers outside her reach.
The mix of Dama Bianca the fragrance and Xerjoff’s description brings me back to my journey to Italy to visit my family. I was lovingly escorted by my cousins everywhere, which made this New Yorker feel a little….trapped. However, the glorious vista from the top of my ancestral village and the cascading hills and abundant flora that surrounded our Casa Paterna were, and remain, unforgettable and instantly brought back my sense of freedom, along with the thought that everything can be right.
Flash forward to California, it’s early morning and there are a few hummingbirds fluttering about the white flowers (appropriately) in Nahid’s garden. My son and nose in training is sitting across from me playing. I dispersed the fragrance on my wrists and chest. My son looked up and instantly smelled Vanilla. Yes, Vanilla is in the Notes de Fond of this warm sexy fragrance, my dear child. Dama’s fine ingredients permeate; I literally can smell the quality. Dama Bianca is balanced, meaning it doesn’t go through any dramatic changes, and its staid approach only adds to its inviting warmth. The tete is fascinating with its Lime and Kumquat notes that create a crisp yet subtle watery-melon-esque mix. Then comes the magnificent Orris, which brings its powdery beauty to the table, and combines with its Jasmine, Muget, and Violet couer. The Sandalwood and Vanilla base comes across creamy, woody, and sophisticated sweet with a lovely dank pull coming from Cedar Wood, Ambrette, and Burnt Malt. Remember nothing is jarring here. Dama Bianca is intricately weaved; imagine a cape that can wrap it arms around you.
Lots of hummingbirds in the sky again this morning, sitting and spending time with Dama Bianca.
Bellissima Dama Bianca.
–Valerie Vitale of Soliflore Notes, Monthly Contributor