Twin Fashion trendsetters and designers Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, photographed by Craig McDean/REUTERS 2011
“A little from here, a little from there. Familiar, yet fresh. Piecing together memory, continuity and nostalgia, Elizabeth and James is all about finding the right balance.” – Elizabeth and James Brand Essence
Selecting Resort 2014 handbag materials (Elizabeth and James instagram)
Elizabeth and James fashions and accessories are at once relaxed and comfortable, edgy and contemporary, reflecting the personalities of the twin owner-designers, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen. The brand was founded in 2007 and named after the Olsen’s younger siblings, the sophisticated Elizabeth and the laid back James.
Nirvana Perfume Ad Campaign (photo (Elizabeth and James)
In collaboration with perfumers Pierre Negrin (Amouage X, the man knows his roses) and Honorine Blanc (Eric Butterbaugh Regal Tuberose), the fashion house introduced its first fragrance duo in 2013 – Nirvana Black and Nirvana White.
Elizabeth and James White and Black
Following Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen’s design aesthetic, these two perfumes reconcile diverse styles of scent, blurring the lines between designer, niche and celebrity fragrances, housed in a flacon styled like a vintage clutch.
Elizabeth And James Roses and Bourbon still life from instagram
In early August another set of fragrance twins – Nirvana Rose and Nirvana Bourbon – was launched online for Sephora VIB Rouge clients exclusively and will be instore and Sephora.com August 19. The duo will be available at other retailers in spring of 2017. I have yet to try the Bourbon(look for our review soon) but love the Nirvana Rose.
Mary-Kate poses in a white strapless ruffle dress and chiffon flower sandals for You magazine, 2007
I relish many rose fragrances, including pure Persian rose oil, heavy middle-eastern mukhallats and stylized or realistic rose perfumes of all kinds. Experiences with perfumes and flowers in the garden have given me a pretty good idea of what I prefer a rose fragrance to smell like. Nirvana Rose works perfectly for me, bringing a fresh, invigorating approach to an old nostalgic favorite, Rosa centifolia – also known as Provence Rose, Rose de Mai or the Cabbage Rose.
Pre Fall Elizabeth And James floral dress for Neiman Marcus (instagram)
Rosa centifolia, the hundred petalled rose, has tightly packed, thin flower petals, not unlike the leaves of a cabbage, forming heavy, cup shaped blooms that nod and droop on the stems. These roses first appeared in the 16th and 17th centuries when Dutch hybridizers combined species roses with the ancient damascene (Damascus) hybrid. The resulting flowers became favorites of contemporary Dutch still life painters and botanical illustrators. The intensity of the fragrance seems to vary slightly with the color of the bloom (white through deep purple), but the scent profile remains the same.
The Cabbage Rose has a livelier, fresher scent than its damascene parent. Nirvana Rose, sultry and ever so slightly dark, is imbued with this same lively quality. The supporting notes of geranium and vetiver add green, spicy, vegetal facets to the fragrance, creating a slight impression of astringent, bitter rose leaves. As the perfume dries it morphs into woody incense touched with a suggestion of vanilla and light floral musk.
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen Vogue magazine
Nirvana Rose has a dark side, although it never veers into ‘goth’” territory. It manages to avoid the “sweet” stickiness I find in many Damascus rose oils and waters. The EdP is extremely wearable with eight hours of longevity on clothing and at least six on skin. Sillage is rather discreet. I can spritz on impulse and not worry about overwhelming myself or anyone else. Unisex, yes! Office friendly – yes! Sultry – yes! Nirvana Rose is a rose for all occasions and for all seasons.
Disclosure: I received my sample thanks to Elizabeth and James Nirvana. Opinions are my own.
Gail Gross – Weekly Contributor
Elizabeth and James Nirvana Rose Perfume (instagram)
Art Direction: I wanted to stay with the Elizabeth and James aesthetic and used photos of the designers Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, their perfumes and style Michelyn
Nirvana Rose (courtesy of Elizabeth and James)
Thanks to the kind folks at Elizabeth and James Nirvana Perfumes we have a 50 ml bottle ($85) of Nirvana Rose for a registered reader residing in the USA. If you are not sure you are registered click here. To be eligible for the draw, please leave a comment with what appeals to you about Gail’s review of Elizabeth and James Nirvana Rose and if you have a favorite Elizabeth and James Perfume. Draw closes 8/19/2016
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