New Perfume Reviews: Parfumeurs Du Monde Kashi (Isabelle Gellé), Tsingy (Thierry Bernard), Izwe (Perrine Scandel) 2017 + The Journey Continues South Draw

We continue our journey with perfumer Isabelle Gellé’s magnificent Parfumeurs Du Monde project, a series of five all-natural scents that take their inspiration from indigenous ingredients found throughout the six French Perfumers’ travels. Where part one took us to Peru, and to the rose fields of Turkey and Bulgaria, we now turn our noses south towards India, Madagascar, and South Africa.

Patchouli plant digitalized MC

Kashi (Light Essence Of India) Isabelle Gellé

Patchouli can certainly be a polarizing note in a fragrance, but when it’s done right it can absolutely shine and delight, as it does in Isabelle Gellé’s arresting Kashi. Growing up in San Francisco in the 60’s and 70’s, I was surrounded by the smell of patchouli. It was one of the defining scents of the Viet Nam War/Hippie generation. I honestly thought I had smelled enough patchouli to last three lifetimes. When my journey into fine perfumes started in earnest, I must confess I steered clear of patchouli, until I discovered how truly wonderful it can be in the right hands.

Painting by Shahul Kollengode©

With Kashi, Mme. Gellé pays homage to the Indian sub-continent and specifically the city of Vâransai, where patchouli is used in the production of incense and to perfume sari’s and shawls. This gorgeous perfume is surrounded by a downy softness, and the sometimes harsh herbal quality is smoothed out by the jasmine, osmanthus, and vanilla. The sweet earthy facets are played up to create a scent that is nothing short of amazing, like standing in a gloriously hot Vâransai garden, lush with sub-tropical plantings, complete with the smell of dry  and dusty earth. But be warned, this stunning tribute to patchouli is a “nuclear” edp with enormous sillage. One or two sprays will last you through to the next day! Notes: Fennel, Iris Root, black Pepper, Yellow Hibiscus, Licorice, Patchouli, Osmanthus, Indian Jasmine,  Amber, Peach note, Indian Sandalwood, Vanilla, Ylang, and White Musk

Thierry Bernard

Tsingy (The Princess Who Walks On Tiptoes) Thierry Bernard

Thierry Bernard chose Madagascar as his perfumed inspiration and Ylang as the representative note, it’s a match made in heaven. Having spent years on the island of Martinique in the French West Indies, M. Bernard  is accustomed to being surrounded by a tropical scented dreamscape that to my mind and memory, must be what heaven smells like. In describing Tsingy , M. Bernard  envisions  “Madagascar, at sun’s dawn with the mist slowly clearing, the plumes of ylang-ylang and frangipani, impregnated with delicate vanilla are dissipating off the wet earth. Tsingy, “The Princess who walks on tiptoes” was born there. This olfactory tale reveals colors, odors and emotions of a magnificent scented land.”

Artist  Karl Bang ©

Smelling Tsingy is a truly warming experience and the perfect antidote for a dull winter’s day. Opening with a blast of kaffir lime whose milkiness surrounds the common lime and red mandarin, Tsingy quickly settles into a beautiful ylang, slightly indolic, sweetened by vanilla and made more tropical by the frangipani, tonka, and vetiver. You can smell the humidity and almost feel the moisture dripping off of the blooms and giant philodendron leaves. It feels quite soporific, like settling into a woven grass hammock at night, while the jungle rustles and comes alive as you slowly drift off into a very deep sleep. Paradise found. Notes: Pink Pepper, Kaffir Lime, Lime, Ginger, Red Mandarin, Frangipani, Vanilla, Nosy Be Ylang, Tonka, Exotic Basil, Elemi, Patchouli, Vetiver

Bucchu Plant from South Africa digitalized MC

Izwe (Sacred Land Of The Zulu’s) Perrine Scandel

Our olfactory journey ends in South Africa and a tribute to the Bucchu plant, the citrus-related shrub that is endemic to the mountains of the Cape Provence, with an aroma that is minty, fragrant, and citrus-sharp all at once. Indigenous tribes have used the oil of the Bucchu leaves for hundreds of years, both to scent the body and as a healing and insect-resistant agent. In Izwe, Perrine Scandel uses the aromatic properties of the Bucchu and combines them with notes of the African savannah to create a scent that honors both the historical and contemporary feelings of the South African nation.

Eric Forlee, 1949 ~ Out of Africa Tutt’Art@

What a wonderful and compelling perfume this is, both modern and vintage, perfectly representing a country and region where cultures clash and mix. Izwe is a dream of the African savannah, replete with dry parched soil, tall grasses brown and green and a touch of wild animal, musty, furry and slightly fecal. There’s a slight hot breeze which carries with it the smell of a campfire in the distance, bitter and balsamic. I suspect lovers of perfumes from the classical era of the bigger houses will love this one as I do. It perfectly marries the old-fashioned high couture scents with the contemporary zeitgeist of a country changing and growing. Perfect. Notes: Bitter Almond, Grapefruit, Bucchu, Davanna, Rose, Geranium, Sage, Blackcurrant, Amyris, Tuberose, Patchouli, and Labdanum

Disclosure: Many thanks to Isabelle Gellé for supplying the samples, and my opinions are my own.

Robert Herrmann, Contributor

Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in Chief

Michel Roudnitska, Isabelle Gellé, Thierry Bernard, Perrine Scandel, Eric Gigodot Parfumeurs du Monde

Note: ‘Parfumeurs du Monde” is the work-of-art resulting from a beautiful collaboration between six French perfumers who care about the planet. (The creation of) 100% natural essences in compliance with Parfumeurs du monde charter and with ethics in mind. Portions of  the profits will be donated to Coeur de Forêt,  a Paris-based NGO established in 2005 which supports small producers for the rehabilitation and protection of forests in Bolivia, Cameroon, Indonesia, Madagascar and Peru.” We have recieved numerous requests on where to purchase, http://www.lesparfumsisabelle.co.uk/store/c2/PARFUMEURS_DU_MONDE.html

Thanks to the generosity of the six perfumers of Parfumeurs du Monde we have a draw for a discovery set of  Michel Roudnitska’s Agua Nativa, Jean-Claude  and Eric Gigodot’s  Tundzha, Izwa, Kasshi  and Tsingy for a registered reader click here anywhere in the world

or

Your choice of 30 ml of either Izwe Tzingy  or Kashi.

To be eligible please leave a comment with what appeals to you about Robert’s reviews of Kashi, Izwe and Tsingy, where you live, and if you choose the discovery kit of all five scents or  your choice of 30ml of Kashi, Iswe or Tsingy. Draw closes 2/22/2017

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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40 comments

  • What a difficult choice. All three seem to be so well-composed and so unique. I think I would choose the bottle of Izwe. I have always wanted to visit South Africa. Thank you for the draw, I live in EU.

  • Reading Robert’s review on Iswe took me back to Africa. I spent my childhood there and the review just says it all. Africa has a smell that can’t be smelled anywhere else, do I’d love to win the 30ml of Iswe. As always a super beautiful review on all the scents. Thank you. I’m from Portugal

  • I do like the idea of nuclear sillage in an all natural. I have to agree about patchouli since it’s used as festival insect repellent! So I would like to try Kashi. I live in the US.

  • I am so happy there is more and more awareness about sustainability and protecting natural resources. Thank you for caring and giving us all hope.
    Thanks for the opportunity to try these great fragrances. I would love the samples to try all of them.

    (EU)

  • All of them sound really well done with quality ingredients. I also love fragrances that represent areas of other countries/continents as it transports the wearer to that place. I think I would be happy with either but if I have to chose I think it would be Kashi since I love the smells of India and of course their cuisine 🙂 I am in the US.

  • Thank you for listing the site where these perfumes can be purchased. There are some wonderful sounding perfumes there. But back to Robert’s reviews. He writes so beautifully that I want them all. 🙂 I love patchouli. I love the classical era of perfumes. I have recently fallen in love with ylang ylang and I have loved frangipani (plumeria) from the first time I smelled the real flower, so I would chose Tsingy. I live in the US.

  • Beautiful reviews with beautiful artwork. The tribute to patchouli had me, especially the description of softness with florals and vanilla tempering the earthiness. I LOVE patchouli, can’t get enough. Would love to smell something devoted entirely to it. I”m in the USA, and would love to try the 30 mL of Kashi.

  • I think I would have to choose Kashi! I really love his tribute to patchouli even though I’m not a fan of that ingredient. I live in New York City 🙂

  • These reviews have taken me on a small world tour, loved reading them! I am fascinated by all things Indian, so Kashi would be my choice if I win.
    Thank you for the draw, I am in Australia

  • acquiredtaste says:

    I agree that patchouli can be a polarizing note. I am in Malaysia and I choose to win a 30ml bottle of Izwe.

  • I have always wanted to travel to Africa to see the wildlife and culture at its most native form.

    Izwe is a dream of the African savannah and I would love to try it.

  • Nice reviews, but the description of Kashi and especially the words “to create a scent that is nothing short of amazing” has captivated me the most. I am starting to like patchouli and this sounds like a great one and would like a bottle of it. I live in Europe.

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    In Part One, I was impressed with the notes of Tundzha as I love roses, incense and sandalwood. Here again fascinating reviews about Kashi, Tsingy and Izwe. All are appealing but KASHI intrigue me more because I also belong to Indian Sub Continent & I love the earthy smell.
    Thanks to the generosity of the six perfumers of Parfumeurs du Monde and Cafleurebon for the opportunity to participate in the draw. My choice without any doubt is KASHI 30 ml bottle.
    Peshawar, Pakistan

  • Robert is right pathcouli can be quite polarizing and this is the same argument I have made numerous times that patchouli is not one of my favorite notes but when it is done well, it blows me away. Kashi seems interesting due to this reason because patchouli has been softened by notes such as osmanthus and jasmine. Thanks for the generous draw. My choice will be the discovery set. I am in the US.

  • Wonderful review. These perfumes are all sounds incredibly fabulous. If I would be the lucky winner, my choice would be Izwe. One day I must to go and visit Africa. Thank you very much for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • I’m starting to appreciate patchouli more, both for its inherent nostalgia for the 70’s, and for how it came sometimes smell so crisp and refreshing, I would love to smell Kashi. I would probably choose the sample set though, they all sound great. I live in Canada, thanks for the draw!

  • Great review! A full immersion in three different olfactive worlds very impressive and evocative. All of them sound fantastic!
    My choice would be Izwe, apparently the most “sauvage”.
    I live in EU.
    Thanks!

  • I love this review: “You can smell the humidity and almost feel the moisture dripping off of the blooms and giant philodendron leaves. It feels quite soporific, like settling into a woven grass hammock at night, while the jungle rustles and comes alive as you slowly drift off into a very deep sleep. Paradise found.”
    I would like Tsingy if I win. I live in Europe. Thank you for the draw!

  • This is very interesting taking one ingredient and place and building a Perfume. I enjoyed all Roberts reviews I love patchouli so Kashi would be my choice or Izwe calls to me as well Thank you for the website I will look at Agua nativa for purchase USA

  • Thank you for this very well explained article. I would love to choose a bottle of Kashi; very interesting mix of great notes: amber, vanilla, sandalwood and patchouli. Living in US.

  • Richard Potter says:

    They all sound marvelous but Akashi sounds like heaven. I love Cafleurbon and Robert’s reviews. USA

  • “like standing in a gloriously hot Vâransai garden, lush with sub-tropical plantings, complete with the smell of dry and dusty earth”

    “It feels quite soporific, like settling into a woven grass hammock at night, while the jungle rustles and comes alive as you slowly drift off into a very deep sleep”

    “Izwe is a dream of the African savannah, replete with dry parched soil, tall grasses brown and green and a touch of wild animal, musty, furry and slightly fecal”

    I loved all of these evocative descriptions!

    I live in the US and would love to win the discovery set, as they all sound so interesting.

  • Each place, each fragrances seems better than the last. Robert’s review is so evocative. It makes me want to try everything. I would LOVE to try the Discovery set. Trying to decide between these without sampling them would be so difficult. Thanks so much for the draw. I live in the USA

  • Elaine Richard says:

    Since I have visited Madagascar and stayed for a week on Martinique, it’s definitely Tzingy that appeals to me. It’s like living in a tropical dream with sultry breezes, swaying palms and sweet frangipani, Nosy Be ylang, ginger, tonka with grassy vetiver holding it all together. My Paradise Ideal!

  • Well, first I like that they contribute some profits to the forest restoration project. So Important. I like the idea of using indigenous ingredients. The patchouli based perfume sounds super good but I think that I would go for the discovery set if I won. Robert has made them all sound so interesting, can’t pick just one! I am in USA. Thank you for the draw.

  • Thank you for the article. I am most curious about this “stunning tribute to patchouli” with nuclear sillage power, so I would choose Kashi. I live in the EU, thanks!

  • I love the romantic portrayals in Michaels review. Words that pair with nuance, memory, sight and smell. Nature at its very best. Tzingy appeals to me a lot although both descriptions are gripping me, you did say choose one! So be it!
    I’m in NZ and registered. 🙂 Thanks for the generous worldwide draw.

  • I have to admit that all of my fragrances come from the UK, France, US, Switzerland or Italy. I should truly branch out more, these sound amazing. The Buccho plant sounds fascinating. Maybe the Izwe fragrance would smell great as well as keeping the bugs away. Thanks for the draw, I would choose the sampler. I live in the U.S.

  • A nuclear patchouli? Then I’d like to try Kashi, although each of them has something that is worth trying. But in the end I’d chose a bottle of Kashi. I live in Europe.

  • I love reviews that take me on a journey, much like the creators of the fragrances I’m sure hope to do. I love reading the ingredient list of natural perfumes–like a botany lesson.
    I would choose the 30ml of Izwe because my dream has always been to go on a safari.
    i live in the USA.

  • Tsingy please! I love the name of “The Princess Who Walks On Tiptoes” and I would love to visit Madagascar one day! the notes sound beautiful, especially ylang-ylang.
    I live in Europe. Thank you for the draw.

  • What a great article. After reading the three reviews I am sure they are all interesting and unique. I would choose Izwe because I am intrigued by Bucchu plant which I have never heard of before. Thank you for the chance – I’m in EU.

  • Thank you for so colorful and vivid journey to these beautiful places. I wish I could visit them all and enjoy their beauty. My favorite part is that about Izwe: “Izwe is a dream of the African savannah, replete with dry parched soil, tall grasses brown and green and a touch of wild animal, musty, furry and slightly fecal. There’s a slight hot breeze which carries with it the smell of a campfire in the distance, bitter and balsamic.” Sounds wonderful!

    My choice would be a bottle of Izwe. Thanks for the draw and greetings from Norway!

  • Patchouli is one of the most mysterious notes, sometimes I love it and sometimes I can’t stand it. I’m very curious about patchouli with nuclear sillage. I live in the EU and I choose a 30ml bottle of Kashi. Thank you for the draw.

  • cinnamon tree says:

    Of the three, “The Princess who walks on tiptoes” won my heart. I feel that ylang ylang and frangipani combination really has the power to bring some joy to this dull winter.
    So – my choice is Tsingy. Thank you so much for the opportunity, I live in Europe.

  • “Paradise found”?! I am so there, it is snowing where I live today! I was drawn into the reviews by the images and colorful descriptions, and am interested in learning more about the scents. If selected, I would choose the discovery set. I live in the US. Thank you!

  • I love the sound of Tashi ,they all sound beautiful I am housebound and can explore the World by smell.

  • Izwe, the secret land of the Zulu, a tribute to Africa and to the Bucchu plant, the citrus-related shrub that is endemic to the mountains of the Cape Provence, with an aroma that is minty, fragrant, and citrus-sharp, all these and more the writing remarks of Robert’s review:
    ¨What a wonderful and compelling perfume this is, both modern and vintage, perfectly representing a country and region where cultures clash and mix. Izwe is a dream of the African savannah, replete with dry parched soil, tall grasses brown and green and a touch of wild animal, musty, furry and slightly fecal. There’s a slight hot breeze which carries with it the smell of a campfire in the distance, bitter and balsamic. I suspect lovers of perfumes from the classical era of the bigger houses will love this one as I do. It perfectly marries the old-fashioned high couture scents with the contemporary zeitgeist of a country changing and growing.¨
    In case I win I would love to experience the sampler set.
    I am a registered reader living in EU. Thank you for the lovely review and draw.

  • Thanks for the second review of this beautiful project – seems that we have a contrasting and fascinating mix of perfumes in this project.

    Greetings from Switzerland. If I were to win, I’d risk to choose Izwe, which sounds to me like the most daring, distant and exotic scent.

  • Amazing read and review on this house. I haven’t heard of them before. I would love to try Izwe! I’m in Canada and thanks for the draw