New Perfume Review: Aquaflor Firenze MM (Sileno Cheloni) + A Tribute to Marilyn Monroe Draw

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Master Perfumer, Sileno Cheloni creating a Perfume photo via Aquaflor Facebook

I had  heard of Aqua Flor before I headed to Florence for Pitti Fragranze, but I had no idea where to locate it. So, I did what I usually do in these circumstances and rather than taking up precious time on the internet I just began walking… a ‘Flaneur’ as the French say. Behind a doorway, on a narrow street, a tangent off Piazza Santa Croce is this ageless place where Alchemy pervades the senses. I admire Sileno greatly for his ability to reach beyond our perceptions and touch the core of each component, this is the gift that differentiates an outstanding creation from a mediocre one in all walks of life and defines genius.

 

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MM, a dedication to Marilyn Monroe, 2016

One of the recent releases from the Master Perfumer of Aquaflor, Sileno Cheloni, is MM, a scent created specifically for the Marilyn Monroe “The Woman  Behind The Myth” exhibition in Turin, Italy at Palazzo Madama which was held 1st June to 19th September 2016. Marilyn Monroe.

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Marilyn Monroe Photo by Eve Arnold 1960

Marilyn was so much more than an Actress, a Sex Symbol, she was one of those women who defined an Age of Glamour in the film world but more than that she was admired way beyond her physical attributes counting amongst her friends and close companions, Presidents, Politicians, Scientists and Film Icons.

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Marilyn Monroe photo by Bert Stern Vogue 1962

‘I don’t mind living in a Man’s world as long as I can be a Woman in it’ Marilyn Monroe

In this astounding composition, Sileno has encapsulated her Essence, the ones we are familiar with, those that made her who we witnessed, the imagery, the Icon, yet he has also encompassed the background, the childhood, private life and loves, the fears and vulnerabilities. He has expressed the crux of who she was, whilst simultaneously seeking out the edges of this stunning enigma.

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Marilyn Monroe photo by Ed Clark 1950

Opening with a chorus of florals, softest Rose, Jasmine and Frangipani all speak of the Woman and are regarded as some of her favourite florals, they carry you off into a time of Divas, Movie Stardom and Glamour. It is unashamedly a Woman defining scent, intensely and deliciously floral with a touch of the rambunctious. Innocently playful and whimsical yet there is something provocative and coquettish also. It is the Gentleman arriving at the door with the most exquisite bouquet, as if to attempt to emulate his companion.

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Marilyn Monroe at her dressing table Sam Shaw 1954

At the heart of Silenos composition is the evocative combination of Florentine Iris and Vanilla, hardly evident at the offset just the merest hint, it strides off the skin after a short time with a confidence and combined innocence which is utterly alluring, again drawing us as women in the 21st century into a time when we could be unashamedly feminine, secrets of the powder room and the wardrobe, the elegance of timeless Grace.

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Marilyn Entering Closet, 1952 by Philippe Halsman

 This is the secret heart, the one that resides under the surface of feminine beauty, that alluring whisper of something beyond. Of warm inhibited trysts and of heated moments, beyond the mask of persona, all the while the base notes peek out from under the sheets and give you just a hint of what is to follow.

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Marilyn Monroe Photo Eve Arnold, 1955

Underpinning the whole is the tentative foundation of Mysore Sandalwood and White Musk, both of these fragrances subtle in their strength with a softness that belies their longevity.  Something that is reflective of Marilyn as she had a dynamism and fortitude which often overlooked her fragility.

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Marilyn Monroe in front of Picasso’s “Motherhood”

As it warms and reflects the wearer, MM  is at once soft, sensual and erotic, vulnerable yet strong and echoes its foundation through the scent’s composition accompanied by a beautifully enticing vanilla that never quite disappears and a haunting wisp of hyacinth, which intrigues. On the dry down it becomes so utterly Feminine as to echo the Nature of Women everywhere.

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MM, Aqua Flor, Firenze 2016

In Silenos’ words ‘this work is the most intimate and intense stretch of Woman.’

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Marilyn photographed by Milton Greene, 1956

And that we meet here a deeper and more reflective part of Marilyn;  I find this scent to be a revelation beyond our perceived imagery of this iconic woman, beyond the media hype and famous companions. I find here a true discovery of Marilyn in all her facets skilfully crafted to reveal her; it’s as if he has reached into the ethers of memory and legend to carry forward what truly defined her and what haunted her. MM is a homage to the fascination that is Marilyn Monroe and all Women.

Notes: Floreal of Rose, Jasmine, Florentine Iris, Madagascar Vanille, Mysore Sandal and White Musk

Disclosure: I received my sample from Aquaflor, opinions my own

Danu Seith-Fyr, Guest Contributor with contributions by Michelyn Camen Editor in Chief

Editor’s Note: For the past three years I have paid tribute to Marilyn Monroe on Facebook with Marilyn Monday and I have accumulated hundreds of photos; it was with great pleasure that I am able to post them here. MM is a limited edition and quite rare, so please like Aqua Flor on Facebook

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Thanks to the Creative Director of Aquaflor Firenze, Antonio Artese, we have a draw for a registered reader, Worldwide (you must be registered to be eligible so click here and follow the prompt) for a 100ml bottle of Aquaflor MM, a tribute to Marilyn Monroe.To be eligible, please leave a comment telling us what you most liked about Danu’s review, if you have heard of Aquaflor Firenze perfumes before, where you live and your most vivid impression of Marilyn Monroe.  Draw closes 12/16/2016.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS feedor your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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38 comments

  • No need to enter me, but this sounds wonderful! Warmth combined with florals is ultra-feminine, and seems to perfectly encapsulate Marilyn’s appeal. Lovely review!

  • I love that Marilyn is more than an actress or a sex symbol, she did define glamour for sure and creating or wearing a perfume that expresses her being would be so fabulous. I am none of what Marilyn was and would love to scent myself to imagine what she must have been like. I love her movies, even though she always played a dumb blond character I admire her for her beauty and she was gone far to soon. I also have not heard of Aquaflor Firenze but checked out the site and I am very intrigued. I am in the US and would love to be entered into this amazing and exciting draw.

  • When I think of Marilyn Monroe, the first thing that comes to mind is the quote “Life is a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about”. I am happy that Aquaflor MM is so joyful and romantic fragrance. Never heard of Aquaflor Firenze before. Thank you for the draw, I live in Poland, EU.

  • What a glorious collection of photos! My most vivid memory of Marilyn is when she sang Happy Birthday to President Kennedy. She was so sexy and beautiful. I love the comparison in this quote: “It is the Gentleman arriving at the door with the most exquisite bouquet, as if to attempt to emulate his companion.” I live in the USA.

  • My fondest memories of Marilyn Monroe are the early photos of her, before fame and infamy, before sophistication and sexy-ness, when she was still Norma Jean, with her life and dreams in front of her. I love the very feminine language of this review…somehow women used to seem more feminine in her heyday, didn’t they? I have not tried any fragrances by Aquaflor before and I would like to thank them and Cafleurebon for the chance to win this beautiful perfume. I am in the US.

  • Oh my. What a review. This was my favorite part.

    As it warms and reflects the wearer, MM is at once soft, sensual and erotic, vulnerable yet strong and echoes its foundation through the scent’s composition accompanied by a beautifully enticing vanilla that never quite disappears and a haunting wisp of hyacinth, which intrigues. On the dry down it becomes so utterly Feminine as to echo the Nature of Women everywhere.
    This scent sounds amazing, I am a huge fan of Marilyn. I was struck by her beauty and by how smart she was. This quote of hers always made me a little sad but I think it was very true.
    ” You know, most people don’t really know me. ”
    I am not familiar with Aquaflor Firenze but their site looks fabulous.
    I live in the U.S. Thanks much for the generous giveaway!!

  • What a great article. I am a MM fan (love the “Happy Birthday Mr. President” song) and I’d love to feel like Marilyn while wearing Aquaflor fragrance. Thank you for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • I wonder what Marilyn would have thought about this fragrance and if she had lived would she have done a “celebrity” fragrance like Liz Taylor…….would it smell like MM? We sadly will never know her full potential. She died when I was a tot, so I suppose my first though was her singing Happy Birthday to President Kennedy probably because it has been played over and over. I like that she wasn’t a size 2 and was still strong, sexy and powerful. One of my favorite Elton John songs was “Candle in the Wind”. Too bad more of our current celebrities aren’t as classy. I am not familiar with this line, but would love for MM to be my first. Thanks for the draw, I live in the U.S.

  • acquiredtaste says:

    I like that there’s a perfume inspired by Marilyn Monroe which reflects various sides of her personality. I have never heard of Aquaflor Firenze before. My impression of Marilyn Monroe is that she is a smart and sad girl despite the bimbo persona. I live in Malaysia.

  • This fragrance MM really seems quite feminine, given the fact it is a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. With notes like rose, jasmine, sandalwood, frangipani, Monroe would have been glad to wear it if she were alive today. I had not heard of Aquaflor before. I know Marilyn was actually quite a gentle person. I do not recall exactly whom but she had lent her support to few artists from minority backgrounds. Thanks a lot for the draw. I am in the US.

  • Very interesting review. Honestly, I have never ever watched any movie with Marilyn Monroe. I do not really like too old movies. But I heard a lot of things about Marilyn Monroe, and I think she was really beautiful and seductive. I have never heard of Aquaflor Firenze perfumes before, but Aquaflor MM sounds wonderful. Thank you very much for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • This review reflects the continued intense fascination with Marilyn Monroe. I’ve not heard of this house, but it certainly sounds as though Sileno Chiloni has captured many of elements of Monroe’s personality as we know of it. The fragrance seems both fragile and seductive at the same time. Thanks for the draw. I live in the USA.

  • I loved the photos, have always been fascinated with Marilyn Monroe. I have not heard of this perfumer, but hte fragrance sounds wonderful. thanks for the draw. I live in the USA

  • This is fantastic, “This is the secret heart, the one that resides under the surface of feminine beauty, that alluring whisper of something beyond.” Lovely! The scent also sounds divine. So unabashedly feminine and seductive. Perfect for Marilyn. I went through a phase of being obsessed with her in adolescence. There was something so vulnerable about her underneath the glamourous, sexualised image we were presented with in her movies. For me she truly shone in Misfits. I’d never heard of Aquaflor Firenze, but now that I have I’d love to try their line. I live in Canada, thank you for the draw.

  • The opening florals sound beautiful in this perfume. And sandalwood is always nice as a base. These are Marilyn photos I’ve never seen! You must have quite the collection. My first memory is seeing a recording of her singing Happy Birthday to President Kennedy, and although I was fairly young and innocent the sexual message made an impression! I have never heard to Aquaflor but would love to visit them in Florence! Thanks. USA. And I’ve liked their page.

  • The description of the heart sounds wonderful and even better a perfume dedicated to Marilyn =) I am from Taiwan and would love to win this one, sounds divine~

  • Such a beautiful tribute and very sincere effort to bottle her true essence. She was so much more than what we saw in the movies. My first memory is watching Some Like it Hot – it was the first movie I saw with her and I was mesmerisedby her facial expressions and the way she moved. It still is one of my favourite movies of all times. I am very curious to smell this beautful perfume,
    I am in the UK

  • Such a tender and respectful tribute review in memory of such a talented and gifted creature as Marilyn Monroe has been!
    To me she was very much misunderstood because although she has been famous for her sex appeal and recognized as a sex symbol, Marilyn has been more than just that! She was gifted with a true talent in acting and she had a strong critical mind!
    Marilyn Monroe was beautiful in an unpretentious manner. More beautiful when natural with no make up and false lashes!
    It’s the first time I am being informed about Aquaflor Firenze perfumes. Aquaflor MM must smell divine.
    I am a registered reader in EU.
    Thank you for this lovely tribute review in memory of MM and thank you for the generous prize!

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    What a tremendous review of MM by Danu Seith-Fyr. A great tribute in the form of review & perfume like Marilyn Monroe reflection in MM. The last paragraph of the review (And that we meet……………….homage to the fascination that is Marilyn Monroe and all Women.) is awesome. Never heard of Aquaflor Firenze perfumes before & thanks for introduction of new perfume house.
    Thanks to the generosity of Creative Director of Aquaflor Firenze, Antonio Artese & Cafleurebon for the opportunity to participate in the draw.
    Peshawar, Pakistan

  • I have not heard of this house before, but it was an awesome read! I love the florals in it, and think it makes for a very womanly and romantic scent. I’m in Canada and thank you for the draw!

  • Danu’s review captured the different facets of Marilyn Monroe– the glamour and sexiness, yet the vulnerability and fragility. I am very curious about the hyacinth note in this fragrance.
    My earliest memory of Marilyn is that scene in “The Seven Year Itch” when she is standing over the subway grate and her skirt billows up. It’s such an iconic moment. I used to look through the Norman Mailer book about Marilyn and just be amazed how each photo captures so much more than a supremely beautiful woman.
    I had never heard about Aquaflor Firenze before this review.
    I live in the USA.

  • I loved everything about Danu’s beautiful review, my favorite quote is “reflective of Marilyn as she had a dynamism and fortitude which often overlooked her fragility.” A perfume that captures that essence sounds wonderful indeed. I also enjoyed how the photos mirrored the prose. I am not familiar with Aquaflor Firenze, just liked them on FB so I can learn more. My most vivid impression of MM is her singing happy birthday to JFK. Thanks to Antonio Artese, CaFleurebon and Danu for the review and very generous opportunity; I’m in the US Midwest.

  • Beautiful photos. She was gorgeous, especially on those early ones.
    The perfume sounds great and very feminine. Thank you for the draw. I live in the EU.

  • As much as I admire MM as a person, my main interest is the fragrance because I love mysore sandal and jasmine notes. Sounds really tempting! I’ve never heard of this perfume house before.

    Sometimes I like watching the old movies with MM. She was really a beauty icon and I wish more women look as radiant as she was. Thank you for the article about her. I live in Europe.

  • Thank you to Danu for first introducing me to Aquaflor Firenze perfumes and for beautifully describing MM. This review reminds me that “flaneur” can conjure a time, a mood, and a place in my past. This fragrance appeals as both feminine and powerful at once, a fabulous combination. And the photos are divine.

    The impression of Marilyn that most vividly springs to mind are images of her with Mr. DiMaggio immediately after their wedding, so happy and so utterly charming. I am in the US. Many thanks for the generous draw and for the glimpse into the fabulous inspiration Mr. Cheloni has taken for his art.

  • Silenos composition is the evocative combination of Florentine Iris and Vanilla, hardly evident at the offset, but a beautifully enticing vanilla never quite disappears so together with all floral notes creates utterly feminine scent. I would like to try it. I do remember MM from my childhood from the TV film Some like it hot. I am in EU. Thanks!

  • I liked the fact that he covered multiple aspects of her personality. For me, the most memorable is the photo where she pushes down the dress that’s lifting up. I live in Europe.

  • I love the photos, I feel they show so much truth about Marilyn. She was really an outstanding woman, much much more than a silly pretty blonde some of us believe her to be. Thank you for the article about her.

    (EU)

  • cinnamon tree says:

    What a great, feminine and seductive set of notes! I love iris and rose and Mysore sandalwood and I am so curious how this composition would smell on my skin and if I will be able to feel like a beauty icon, even for a moment?
    The most memorable scene involving MM is the one with the wind blowing her dress up.
    Thanks for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • I love romantic floral fragrances. I’ve never heard of Aquaflor Firenze before, so the article was very interesting. Thank you for the chance. I live in EU.

  • Great review! I like what Danu says about MM being the inspiration for the fragrance: “We meet here a deeper and more reflective part of Marilyn; I find this scent to be a revelation beyond our perceived imagery of this iconic woman, beyond the media hype and famous companions. I find here a true discovery of Marilyn in all her facets skilfully crafted to reveal her; it’s as if he has reached into the ethers of memory and legend to carry forward what truly defined her and what haunted her. MM is a homage to the fascination that is Marilyn Monroe and all Women.”
    My most vivid association with MM is the “Happy Birthday Mr. President” song. I live in the EU. Thank you for the draw.

  • When I was little girl, I wanted to be Marilyn Monroe. I think nothing more needs to be said about my fascination with her. I remember watching Some like it hot, this is where it all started.
    I’d be delighted to win MM fragrance. Never tried anything from Aquaflor before.

    Thanks for the opportunity and the review! I live in Europe.

  • What a nice introduction to Aqua Flor Firenze perfume house: “Behind a doorway, on a narrow street, a tangent off Piazza Santa Croce is this ageless place where Alchemy pervades the senses. I admire Sileno greatly for his ability to reach beyond our perceptions and touch the core of each component, this is the gift that differentiates an outstanding creation from a mediocre one in all walks of life and defines genius.” I would love to visit the place one day and to smell all of these perfumes I have never heard about before. Especially MM which sounds fantastic! I love the early photos of Marilyn and I hope there is as much innocence as confidence in the fragrance. Thanks for the draw. EU.

  • It’s amazing how Marilyn Monroe remains a beauty and femininity icon after all these years and after so much has changed in popular culture.
    I haven’t tried any scents from Aquaflor Firenze but the notes sound very much like something Marilyn would wear and I would wear as well.

    Thanks for the draw. Greetings from Norway!

  • I love the way you described Marilyn Monroe – not just a sex-bomb, but a real intelligent and talented woman who wasn’t afraid of her sexuality and femininity and of sharing her opinions. The notes sound very sensual and interesting and I would love to try Aquaflor MM!

    Thank you for the draw. I live in the EU.

  • The most vivid impression I have of Marilyn Monroe is in the movie Some Like it Hot. Frangipani and Rose really appeal to me in a perfume and I would love to win this MM
    I have never heard of Aquaflor but looking at the site I want to order samples is several perfumes

  • I am most intrigued by the “haunting wisp of hyacinth” Danu sensed in the composition… that fleeting yet distinctive spring scent, even if it’s just an eerie hint, can add a lot of ambiance to a perfume. The classic composition of florals an a softer, musky base seems appropriate for an icon like Marilyn Monroe, though I can’t help but associate her with Chanel No. 5! I’ve never heard of Aquaflor but I’m glad they’re on my radar now. I’m in the US, thank you for the draw!