DC Comics Superpower Shrinking Violet
Perhaps no other flower used in perfumery has been so maligned. Violets? Maybe your first thought is of a ‘shrinking violet’; someone who ducks for cover, tongue twisted and shy. Violet flowers are often hidden between their leaves, but no one is quite certain when this phrase became part of our vernacular. According to most contemporary meanings of flowers, violets are symbols of modesty and chastity. They are also the birthflower of February and the favorite scent of Marie Antoinette (who literally lost her head)
Let’s take a look at some facts about this enigmatic blossom whose natural essence is so difficult to distill that it is often substituted or reinforced with synthetics.
Violets are actually robust survivors
Violets are the aristocrats of plants
The Ancient Greeks considered the Violet a symbol of fertility and love, and was used in love potions…nothing innocent there
Shrinking Violet, (the comic book character from DC Comics) holds her own with the big boys battling nasty villains
Michelyn’s Picks
Actress Kirsten Dunn in Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette Violette
Simply the best violet fragrance I have ever spritzed is Marie Antoinette Violette. Violet flowers and leaves are blended with myrrh, frankincense and amber. What sounds like a dichotomous blend is truly swoon worthy. If you think you don’t like violets, this will change your mind. It changed mine. The scent is one of the many rare and private reserve fragrances that can be found at The Perfume House in Portland, Oregon. Kirsten Dunn would have lost her head for this one. For more information , email cttsefalas@theperfumehouse.com
Tom Ford Black Violet
Tom Ford’s darkling Black Violet is more pulpy and woody than sweet violet. Yet, the odd combination of citrus and violet makes this my favorite in the Tom Ford Private Blend line. It’s not sugary, in fact it’s raw and bold, making this a perfect scent for 'a walk on the wild side' of violet.
John William Goddard- With Violets Wreathed and Saffron Hue
Robert Piguet Visa
Although Marie Antoinette Violette was a lovely surprise, violet is not my favorite note. For those whose favorite notes and accords include rose, vetiver, benzoin, amber, and leather accords, this one’s for you. Visa was reformulated from the original, last year by the new owners of Piguet’s classic, vintage scents. The updated Visa is thoroughly luscious and I think more rounded than the original; opening with notes of white peach, pear, violet leaves, bergamot and yellow mandarin essences. Heart notes include rich ylang essence mingled with rose, immortelle and orange flower absolutes. Sandalwood, vetiver, moss, vanilla beans, benzoin and a gourmand leathery accord compose the drydown. The violet is barely there, but lends distinctiveness to the composition silky glamour in a bottle. www.robertpiguetparfums.com
Ava Luxe Midnight Violet.
If I could only chose one violet scent, this would very well be it,(which is really not a good choice since it´s no longer in production and all I´ve got left of it is a tiny vial with some drops in it). Every time I get a newsletter from Ava Luxe I cross my fingers and hope that Serena will announce that Midnight Violet is back in production. It has pretty much everything I look for in a fragrance. It´s dark, a little sweet, a most sensual and seductive violet. The 'violets' in Midnight Violet are anything but pale blue, they are deepest purple – black magic. Smells divine on men as well. (Editor's Note: Unfortunately this fragrance was discontinued due to difficulty in finding the ingredients)
Stephen Jones Fragrance and Hat
Comme des Garcons Stephen Jones
As far from Midnight Violet (actually as far from any other violet scent I can think of) as possible you find the eccentric creation of Stephen Jones (he is a Mad Hatter after all). Violets grown on another planet, violets grown in a petri dish in a lab, some fizzy mineral water with a pinch of salt. There isn´t anything soft, sweet or retiring about the violets in Stephen Jones, they are cold as ice, distant, alien and still easy to like and enjoy. When wearing this I feel like my space ship is wauting just around the corner. Suitable for men as well and a must try especially for folks not usually into violet.
Shahrad Palace Perfumes, Violet
This is a violet soliflores that has been stored for at least 50 years. Still, it smells like if it was made of the most beautiful violets picked yesterday. It´s a violet soliflores but somehow it smells like it has been blended with a drizzle of warm and caressing sunshine. Usually I find violet fragrances to have a powdery and sweet yet cold presence, this violet is the opposite. If there are any golden violets, they are for sure blended in this perfume…
John Sargent Singer -Violet
Calé Fragranze d'Autore, Brezza di Seta.
This violet fragrance is not sold in the USA and is a lovely, green, spicy violet. Its complex in composition and yet, easy to wear. When wearing this you are transported to the Victorian Era. A delicate piece for a true romantic, yet with a surprisingly spicy, woody and full bodied dry down. Vetiver makes all the difference in this scent and add a personal and unexpected twist to the to otherwise feminine scent.
-Contributor Annelie Hoeglid and Editor-in-Chief Michelyn Camen
Claude Monet- Bouquet of Violets
Our draw is for 5 winners as follows:
One sample vial of Annalies’s Shahrad Palace Perfumes, Violet which she will send
2 winners will receive a sample vial of Stephen Jones (courtesy of www.luckyscent.com)
2 winners will receive a sample vial of Calé Fragranze d'Autore, Brezza di Seta (courtesy of Dr. Silvio Levi, President of www.esxence.com)
Draw ends February 25, 2011. please comment on your favorite violet scent, Marie Antoinette -the doomed Queen, the movie, the book) and of course why you want to win the draw. Is Michael Buble your favorite version of Fever?
Don't forget to read Part I of Spring Fever by Claudia Kroyer here.