Barb Stegemann was the first woman from Atlantic Canada to land a deal on Dragon's Den (The Canadian Shark Tank)© via The 7 Virtues
I imagine most of us are wishing and hoping for Peace on Earth in 2019. With that in mind, it is comforting to know that Canadian based perfumery The 7 Virtues, established in 2010 by award winning entrepreneur and author Barb Stegemann, whose vision of a perfume business was formed when her friend was wounded in Afghanistan. Barb is actively trying to make our dreams of world justice, equality and peace come true in the New Year.
The 7 Virtues "Make Perfume Not War" ©
The company mission statement "Make Perfume Not War" reflects their commitment to Peace On Earth! The 7 Virtues is dedicated to bringing Wonder, Moderation, Truth, Courage, Justice, Wisdom and Beauty to the creation, distribution and sales of perfume. In an effort to support local farmers and tribesmen The 7 Virtues uses fair trade and ethically sourced natural materials from war-torn countries around the world. In addition to their original 2010 line of fragrances, Barb Stegemann and perfumers Angela Stavrevska and Julie Pluchet have created seven new perfumes based on natural essential oils.
The 7 Virtues Peace Blend Box ©
The Peace Blend Box includes their Orange Blossom and 7 Virtues Rose Amber fragrances featuring ingredients from Afghanistan, the Vetiver Elemi perfume using materials from Haiti, Grapefruit Lime from the gardens and orchards of Israel and Iran, Patchouli Citrus from Rwanda, Jasmine Neroli from India and Vanilla Woods from Madagascar. Each perfume can be used alone or paired, layered and blended for even more possibilities. While I love and have been wearing them all, I find myself reaching for the same spray vial again and again – The 7 Virtues Rose Amber. Perhaps I am drawn to this fragrance because, as a young woman, I lived for several years in Iran, occasionally visiting nearby Afghanistan. It could be that the scent of Rose Amber revives memories of rose gardens, bazaars large and small, and of streets lined with the shops of perfume sellers. Whatever my personal reasons, there is no doubt in my mind that The 7 Virtues Rose Amber is a masterfully done contemporary take on traditional Middle Eastern roses.
The 7 Virtues Rose Amber Bottle ©
My first experience of Rose Amber truly surprised me. The perfume was not the rich, viscous oriental I had expected but rather a subtle delicate breath of rose, ethereal and fresh. This rose begins cool, like the perfume of a newly opened blossom at dawn, before the sun warms the petals. The slightly green and bitter notes of neroli and bergamot combine with the uplifting zing of pink pepper, cassis, the exquisite powdery floral qualities of orris and newly opened rosebuds, creating an impression of sunrise in the rose garden.
Barb Stegemann of the 7 Virtues
The morning progresses and the sun begins to heat up the land. The 7 Virtues Rose Amber unfolds into boozy dried fruity aromas of davana touched with cinnamon and the scent of the full-blown Rosa damascena. Damask roses have been grown in Afghanistan for hundreds of years.
Afghani farmer growing roses. Photo © 7 Seven Virtues
Recently, because of government funded projects and socially responsible companies like The 7 Virtues, rose farming is starting to outpace the cultivation of opium poppies.
Roses in the Moon – Photo collage by Gail Gross ©
After a few hours, the sun over the rose garden reaches its zenith. Soon the warm, spicy scents of afternoon roses settle into the musky sweetness of Jasmine grandiflorum, amber and sandalwood, carrying The 7 Virtues Rose Amber toward a vivid sunset. At last night falls – and over the mountains and high plateaus of Afghanistan we find our beautiful Afghani roses basking in the moonlight, charming the spirits of the evening air with wisps of warm amber, creamy vanilla and tendrils of earthy sweet vetiver.
Notes: Pink pepper, cassis, neroli, bergamot, davana, rose, cinnamon, orris, jasmine, lavender, amber, sandalwood, vanilla, vetiver and patchouli.
Disclaimer: I would like to thank The 7 Virtues and Barb Stegemann for the beautiful Peace Blend Box of fragrances. My opinions are my own.
Gail Gross – Senior Editor
Art Direction – Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief
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Thanks to the generosity of Barb Stegemann and The 7 Virtues we have one Peace Blend Box of perfumes available to one registered reader in The USA or Canada OR one rollerball of Rose Amber. Be sure to register or your comment will not count. To be eligible for the draw, tell us where you live and what appeals to you about Gail's review of The 7 Virtues Rose Amber and if you want The Peacebox or the rose amber should you win. Draw closes January 4, 2019