As the New in Niche columinst for Basenotes, I discovered Vero Kern's first three fragrances Kiki, Onda and Rubj (2007). Let's just say my passion for Rubj is undiminished. Three years later, the extraordinary Swiss perfumer, former aromatherapist (who studied perfumery in Paris with Monique Schlienger, a student, in the 1960s, of Jean Carles, one of the greatest perfume creators of the previous century) introduced Eau de Parfum versions, which tweaked the original formulations with the addition of passionflower. Unlike many niche houses, she creates few fragrances, but all are masterpieces.

 With much anticipation, we have awaited her fourth  fragrance… Mito,(.mito.) which she mentioned when we saw her (quite unexpectedly) in January at the Elements Showcase.

   

 

 

“The warm air is pervaded by a pleasant sensation of white flowers, jasmine and newly blooming magnolias, garlands of moist moss, aromatic leaves and proud cypresses. Slowly the fragrance rises. Up, up, higher and higher still, to join, all of a sudden, the crystalline jets gushing in the fountains and resting on the mirrors of water in the garden. Millions of miniscule water particles intertwine to create a shining, perfumed veil that rests on the cold marble shoulders of countless statues: gods, nymphs, fauns, dragons and mermaids. Time has stood still in the garden: yesterday is today is tomorrow.  

For a moment the perfume fills our desire, satisfies our need for lightness and our yearning for better times.

The myth of a timeless eternity.”

 Vero Kern, June 2012

    

.mito.  is Vero's homage to Italy ( it is also being manufactured in Italy)  and is an olfactive tribute the  Villa d'Este.

 

“I love Villa d’Este,” Vero says, “I was struck by its architecture, the splendour of the park where classical statues and fountains spring up out of the blue. In a sense it takes me back to my childhood, to the garden full of people and little statues where I daydreamed as a child. But what impressed me most of all was the delicate scent of the orange flowers, whose flowers are found scattered everywhere in large vases. And the scent of the water in the basins, of the white flowers, the grass, the moistness. The air is pervaded with elegance, mythology and an almost androgynous beauty that is both masculine and feminine at the same time. This garden smells of the Mediterranean and of Italy, of ancient and modern history, of echoes of a past not necessarily better than the present or the future. It fills me with calm and energy at the same time. That is why I am dedicating a perfume to it.”

 

To launch .mito. Vero Kern will use the internet and the power of social media, that fosters connectivity, creativity, communication  and collaboration. It is thanks to the international community that Vero began to work with Georgian graphic designer Sofo Berdzenishvili.

 

The fragrance, distributed by Campomarzio70 Distribuzione, will be available from selected stockists from September in a 50ml Eau de Parfum edition. It will cost 145 euros and will be available in September 2012.

 

OLFACTIVE NOTES:

 WHITE

 Citrus blend, Magnolia grandiflora, White magnolia champaca, Jasmine

 

GREEN

 Galbanum, Hyacinth, Cypress blend, Moss

 

 2012 IS A SPECIAL YEAR FOR VERO KERN

 – Jubilee year: 5 years of vero.profumo 

– 2 + 2 + 1 = 5, Vero’s lucky number

 – the Year of the Dragon, Vero’s Chinese horoscope sign

 – the end of the world as we know it and the beginning of a better one…

–Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

foto of Vero Kern : Courtesy of Diego Comi Ph.