Esxence 2019: Mendittorosa Odori d’Anima Ithaka Review +You Are A Temple Draw

 

 Stefania Squeglia of Mendittorosa Odori d’Anima

Stefania Squeglia and Danu Seith-Fyr(r) at  Esxence 2019 for a preview of Mendittorosa Odori d’Anima Ithaka

“Keep Ithaka always in your mind.  Arriving there is what you’re destined for. But don’t hurry the journey at all.” C P Cavafy. 1911.

Camille chemardin perfumer

Perfumer Camille Chemardin via Instagram

It is an honour for to me to know Mendittorosa as a house of the utmost integrity, inspired by the highest urges to represent “Beauty”and the soul’s highest expression. Stefania Squeglia is a graceful soul of like and her perfumes reflect this. Mendittorosa Odori d’Anima Ithaka is the first incarnation of a new trilogy ‘Versi Studio’ that draws primal waters from poetry. The  perfumer is  the young Camille Chemardin.  At the reading of Ithaka by C P Cavafy (1911), I ask, why do we separate ‘travelling’ and life, for to be alive and drawing breath is travelling.

Mendittorosa Odori d’Anima Ithaka review

Luke Woodford©

Mendittorosa Odori d’Anima Ithaka speaks undeniably to travel either upon the globe itself or the internal travelling that yields to us so much. The Mythology of Antiquity breathing as an ethereal insistence. I have often shed my skin, to renew my life and have lived several lifetimes in my unfinished span. Always the time accelerates, we travel life’s curves and passages, ever more conscious of the passing moment, reminded of the sands running pace through the glass. Imperative to imbibe every sensation and moment of the path chosen, never forgetting to take the unknown trails. In the demands of the modern world, how we can forget to observe and appreciate the wonder, the minutiae in awe. The sunlit sea warmed by Mediterranean sun, the wonders of light playing on ancient stones,  or labyrinthine scents of the ages. Travel lays us bare and invites us at every crossroads and brow of the hill to sense beyond our senses.  The first sights of new locations, the hands of new love upon our skin, the hearing of church bells ringing through ancient winding streets, the discovery of unique airs that waft over a particular place scenting your pathway with an unperceived perfume, that once smelt, imprints immemorial.  The immaterial treasures that find their way under our skin. All assimilated osmotically into our substance.

Ancient Stones, Chelsea Collection

The rising anticipation that sits within you like a held breath as you travel, the vistas opening before like the unfolding of a never-ending rosebud that has ached to reveal itself.  Sharpened excitement, our visions swirling, taking form even before land is sighted.  The poetry of Constantine P Cavafy urging us to garland ourselves with the treasured pearls of existence.

“As you set out for Ithaka, hope your road is a long one,

full of adventure, full of discovery.

as long as you keep your thoughts raised high,

as long as a rare excitement

stirs your spirit and your body.” C P Cavafy.

Mendittorosa Odori d’Anima Ithaka is an entrancing composition, from its very meeting with my skin to days later, the finest gossamer reminiscences around me.  Bergamot, bright and inceptive, brings the lightness of being that I associate so fully with travelling light in any sphere, the sense of release and ease of being within yourself. Warmed hues, at the prow of a sailing boat, bathed in an aquatic Magnolia that is nothing short of sheer delight, watery and ethereal with a rich incense mantle, delicate tendrils emanating from a thousand sticks of the Temple creating a subtle body upon my form. Beckoning me to feel, to open my eyes, to extend all senses beyond their modernity dulled capacity.  Menditorrosa Odori d’Anima, Ithaka asks me to reach beyond reminding me over and over of each precious sensory experience that is now.

may you stop at Phoenician trading stations

to buy fine things,

mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,

sensual perfume of every kind—

as many sensual perfumes as you can;

Ithaka C.P. Cavafy: Collected Poems (Princeton University Press, 1975)

Best new perfumes at Esxence 2019

Pokras Lampas©

Each step upon this journey is a metaphorical evolution within, Mendittorosa Odori d’Anima Ithaka beguiles continuously.  A sublime quartet of incense, cedar, cypriol and benzoin, far flung at the beginning, like Ithaka on the horizon, insight to new possibilities, like stories read page by page. They are winds of the Zephyrs blown from the four directions, carrying aloft all manner of promised encounters.  Standing at the prow of your ship, instincts high, every second fecund and enlivened. Arriving in proximity, a polyphony encompassing labdanum and patchouli, embraced again with incense plumes. Written in Ithaka are all the places that incorporate me, scribed in skin, that gathers all the scattered pieces together and decorates my Soul in ardent garmentage. Ithaka is the distillation of exploration in each respiration, the minute observation of nanoseconds, the constant wonder and renewal of for living. The epitome of the pinnacle of each moment. Notes: Bergamot, Aqueous Magnolia, Incense, Patchouli, Labdanum, Incense Resinoid, Virginian Cedar, Cypriol, Benzoin.

Sample of  Mendittorosa Odori d’Anima  Ithaka kindly provided by Stefania Squeglia at Esxence 2019, opinions my own.

Danu Seith- Fyr, Senior Contributor

6. ithaka, Menditorrosa Odori d'anima Esxence 2019

Menditorrosa Odori d’Anima Ithaka Esxence 2019

Thanks to the generosity of Stefania Squeglia and Menditorrosa Odori d’Anima, we have a 100ml bottle of Ithaka for one registered reader anywhere in the world (register here if you have not already done so). Please leave a comment saying what appeals to you about Menditorrosa Odori d’Anima Ithaka based on Danu’s review and where you live. Draw closes 6/16/2019

 

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62 comments

  • Wow, what an exquisite description of this perfume. Incense based perfumes are my favorite genre, because they really do pierce to the soul, evoking unspoken words and memories. The aroma of magnolia blossoms is something I’ve always loved but never experienced in a perfume. I have heard many good things about the Menditorrosa line and about the unique compositions within their portfolio. It would be amazing to try this fragrance. Thanks so much for this generous giveaway! I’m in Oregon, USA.

  • fazalcheema says:

    I agree traveling is life. In fact, I think traveling is one of the most effective forms of learning. I did not think how we can also travel internally because we do have rich imagination, thanks to our intelligence. I have Le Mat from Mendittorosa and love it. Thanks for the generous draw of Ithaka. I am in US.

  • What a delightful review. If this perfume reminds in any way of the spiritual voyage of one’s truest core, then it must be a beauty. And a challenge. Objectively, I am curious about the mix of “light” notes and “deep” ones, as in bergamot and cedar fusioned with labdanum, benzoin, resins (amber?) I would love to experience how that settles on skin. Thanks for a lovely description and the draw! I am from the EU.

  • Doni Light says:

    Truly exquisite imagery. Journeys by boat, temples of incense and ancient stones in the Mediterranean. If the experience of Ithaka really is as sensual and poetic as Danu describes, you can count me in. Great to see young perfumers featured by the brand. Artistry transcends age! Canada.

  • I enjoyed reading about the aquatic, ethereal journey that inspired this creation and I am especially interested in the use of aqueous magnolia as a note. Thank you so the opportunity. I live in the USA.

  • It looks that Mendittorosa is one of the most artistic houses which appeared lately. I mean that their compositions are like painting on olfactory canvas using the scent notes. Also amazing bottles are complementing this impression. I’d love to try this first scent fro, the new line. Thank you for the draw. I live in Poland.

  • Harbinger says:

    Wow! Dana’s imagery is amazing! I really appreciate how she described this fragrance. USA.

  • NiceVULady says:

    An amazing review full of images. Traveling is one of the great pleasures in life if one can do it. I’m very interested in the structure of this fragrance along with the use of aqueous Magnolia( this a a new note to me). Lovely review. Thank you for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • It is a very descriptive and personal review. And based on it’s reading I’d like to win this draw. This is my first introduction to this perfume house. US

  • I had the chance to smell some samples from Mendittorosa line and i liked them very much, the quality is obvious and the scents are very particular. I would love to try Ithaka, thanks for the draw, i’m in the EU.

  • RobertNicolasB says:

    Amazing description! I love when fragrances take me to another place. That bottle design is amazing, too!!! Thanks for another great draw. – USA

  • Oh… I was always interested of this brand. But I never had a chance to try anything from those. Ithaka sounds very mysterious and unique from the base of the review and the notes. The bottle is also stunning. Thank you for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • smellslikehappiness says:

    Oooh, you had me at ‘incense’, lol. I adore Menditorrosa so I can’t wait to try the new ones! Live in the US, thanks for the draw!

  • As with all their perfumes, Mendittorosa evokes such powerful imagery and imagination. They take us to another realm for us to realise. And this is no exception. I love travelling to places I’ve never been to once a year. It’s my getaway from my everyday reality to experience a different reality. It’s when my senses are recharged, perceptions open, and soul refilled. This is what I get from Mendittorosa Odori d’Anima Ithaka and I’d love to experience her journey. I live in Singapore.

  • i am in love with the vacationy feel that this fragrance inspires. being able to travel through the mere breaths that we take gives me the sense that this fragrance makes a great impression upon the wearer, almost taking them to a new dimension. (Commenting from FL, USA)

  • I felt as though Danu took me on a spiritual journey. I would love to meditate wearing Ithaka. Thanks for the opportunity! USA

  • AlwaysWater says:

    I love perfumes inspired by places, as well as incense. I don’t travel as much as I’d like to, so to get to go on a sensory journey by spraying on something interesting, and to do reflective inner work, are ways I treat myself in the meantime. -usa

  • carlos_lager says:

    Wow… I really loved this review. Very descriptive. I never heard of the brand, but really want to try this one after reading your review. Greetings from Austria (EU)

  • Anna Egeria says:

    Danu’s review is exquisite. The name Odori d’Anima Ithaka is derived from one of my favorite poems so I am intrigued to know it. I want to wear it as I find my own Ithakas in the future. I’m in the US and thank you for the lovely draw.

  • Very interested in trying this fragrance, what speaks to me most is the Bergamot on the one hand and incense and deeper chord on the other. Menditorrosa Odori d’Anima, Ithaka is definitely one I would wear while traveling through life. [Netherlands, Europe]

  • What appeals to me most is the contrast between the top notes and the base. I’d love to get to know this perfume. Thank you very much for the review and the draw! I live in EU.

  • This sounds exquisite. I adore incense fragrances. What an evocative description – it captures the allure of scent in general. I live in the US.

  • this: >>A sublime quartet of incense, cedar, cypriol and benzoin …<<

    who *wouldn't* want to smell this?

    i do 🙂

    and also: the bottle!!!

    i'm in the US.

  • Ithaka means to me finally returning to one’s origins, no matter what. I suppose the design of the bottle represent bounded Odysseus.
    I love all the notes of this perfume, especially incense, but I wonder what is the combination of Camille Chemardin.
    The review is so good, so stimulating, a pleasure to read. Thank you all for this draw, for the opportunity to remember Cavafy and the jurney of Odysseus (or Ulise, as I call him in Romanian :))

  • I am extremely curious about the scent for which Ihaka and mentioned poem were inspirations. It must be something primordial and out of this world. I wish I could experience this. Poland.

  • sanvean79 says:

    The bottle is again a masterpiece, and I love the idea of marrying poetry and fragrance. Magnolia and incense sounds delightful. Thanks for the chance to participate in the draw. Greetings from rainy London, UK

  • patrick_348 says:

    I love the description of a “watery magnolia” which makes me want to smell what Danu is talking about. I like how this sounds mysterious and seems to combine warmth and coolness, freshness and maturity. I would love to try it. I am in the USA.

  • redwheelbarrow says:

    What a beautiful review. I have not yet tried anything from this house but am intrigued. Also, the bottles are works of art. The imagery of travel, inner and outer, are interesting concepts and you have beautifully tied this imagery with the notes described in this fragrance. I am very curious as to how these notes play together as they seem from fairly different spectrum. Thank you for the generous draw. I am in the US.

  • IvanVelikov says:

    I have to say i really like the backstory behind Ithaka . Also combination of bergamot , incense , cedar and benzoin sounds really nice for the autumn . I love patchouli so i hope i’ll get more on me , if i happen to be the winner.
    Unique bottle design – i like it.
    Nice job Danu , and thanks for the draw.
    USA based , but i’ll be in France for ~3 weeks at the end of the month.

  • DuftHochZwei says:

    Another breathless review by Danu, one hardly knows where the personal feeling vs. official marketing starts and ends because of the figurative language. Which I mean in a good way!
    We have Alfa and Archetipo on our shelves and would love to add this beauty. Happy to win this to Germany, thanks for the draw.

  • I’m not familiar with Ithaka , or any other Mendittorosa fragrance. I also do not know C. P. Cavafy , but just read his poem “Ithaka” – the inspiration behind the fragrance with the same name. I admit i do like it , but i have to say my brother owns a house in Zakynthos , i’ve been there dozens of times , and i’ve been to Ithaka too.
    All the notes in Ithaka are pleasing to my nose , and i expect a nice balsamic , resinous and incensy fragrance , but that’s not how i imagine a fragrance inspired by Ionian Islands region .would smell like.
    Each to their own i guess. I’ll check Ithaka out of curiosity.Not because of the poem , but because of the notes.
    Thanks for the opportunity
    Back and forth between USA and Scotland (EU/UK) . 1 week in US -> 1 week in Scotland , and so on.Basically both USA and EU/UK at the same time.

  • drewactor says:

    Deep review. I love traveling as well, probably because my grandfather was in the foreign service and my Mom lived in so many places. That value got instilled in me at a young age. I really appreciate bergamot and the combination with the other notes sounds intriguing with the light and dark. Thanks for the giveaway. In VA USA.

  • Awesome review by Danu as the fragrance is describe as a journey. This incense fragrances sounds so ethereal. The bottle design is so cool. I love Mendittorosa Odori d’Anima notes of incense, cedar, cypriol and benzoin. I live in CA, USA.

  • The name Ithaka inevitably brings to mind the home of Odysseus and the idea of a long journey. Danu speaks of it as well, which is not at all surprising: Mendittorosa perfumes are half scents, half impressions of seasons, places and dreams. Perfume-wise, anything with incense and labdanum is a must-try for me.
    Russia

  • A perfume that is able to convey the joys and emotions of traveling in a land of the old myths simply must appeal to me as an historian!

    Living in Germany, EU

  • bigscoundrel says:

    Ithaka has a beautiful presentation, and I’m very intrigued by a fragrance that leaves impressions that last days after first contact with skin. I’m in the USA.

  • I am a poet and love poetry. Even my horse is named Idyll. So, that appealed to me a lot. I also love incense. LOVE. In USa.

  • “A sublime quartet of incense, cedar, cypriol and benzoin, far flung at the beginning”
    +
    “Arriving in proximity, a polyphony encompassing labdanum and patchouli, embraced again with incense plumes”

    So basically we have high class balsamic, spicy woody and incensy fragrance inspired by a Greek poem , with unique presentation. Interesting. I do admit I like the presentation a lot. Someone did a fine job out there.
    Thank you Danu for the review, and Menditorrosa for the draw.
    USA most of the year, and Germany from time to time

  • First of all, the bottle is gorgeous! Meditorrosa Odori d’Amina sounds like it is made for an incense lover. I am one, of course. 🙂 I would love to win this. In the USA.

  • From looking at the notes, I believe that this would be a fragrance that I would like very much. Also, it comes from a house that I love. Thank you for this opportunity. I live in Canada. Yay Raptors.

  • I love to travel, haven’t done much lately, and the notes sound yummy, I love neroli and summer winds are always welcome. I have not heard of this house, and would love to try this scent, (and the bottle looks really cool!) thank you for the draw! In the us.

  • DulciusExAsperis says:

    Well first of all that bottle is gorgeous. And this sentence really got me: “Ithaka is the distillation of exploration in each respiration, the minute observation of nanoseconds, the constant wonder and renewal of for living. ” Sounds like a glorious experience and I adore incense, cedar and labdanum. I live in the USA.

  • A very poetic and vivid description. Really makes you wanting to test the fragrance to feel all she said about it.

    I am from EU. Thanks!

  • The imagery is haunting. And I love the quote “The rising anticipation that sits within you like a held breath as you travel, the vistas opening before like the unfolding of a never-ending rosebud that has ached to reveal itself”
    The fragrance sounds sublime. I love incense and patchouli.
    I live in the US.

  • WaltherP99 says:

    I have smelled all Mendittorosa fragrances except the new Ithaka , and my favorite BY FAR is Rituale . What a gem – money well spent. I had to have it . Gorgeous fragrance .
    They also have a different a bit more expensive line called Talismans worth checking out.
    About Ithaka i presume the inspiration came not only from the poem , but from how the island smelles during winter , because non on Ionian islands smells balsamic , woody and smoky right now.
    Enjoyed the review , and thanks for the giveaway.
    Virginia USA , or London UK at least 97/100 times.

  • Uncle1979 says:

    I’ve been in Greece dozens of times, and if we’re talking Ionian Islands I’ve been to Corfu and Lefkada . Nice food, good service-I will go back. Never been to Ithaka , but the fragrance with churchy resinous and balsamic nuances I’d like to try.
    Appreciate the giveaway campaign
    USA almost all the time

  • Usually I’m not into abstract reviews like this one , but I do admit I like what Danu did here.
    All the notes I like, especially the incense , but “incense plum” line picked up my interest.
    Oh’ I’ll never stand at the prow of my ship, because I’m sea sick every time I’m on a boat , or a ship Lol
    Thank you
    USA

  • Dorian Fischer says:

    Great review! The bottle design looks amazing and I like the story how this fragrance was inspired. Never heard of this house before but I am definitely interested now. Greetings from Austria

  • Thanks for the review! I’m glad to know more about this house and the scents they produce. I enjoyed the vivid description of how the scent evolves. Thank you for the draw. I’m based in the U.S.

  • doveskylark says:

    Danu’s review touched me deeply. I have long felt my entire life is traveling, a journey. This is why I don’t mind the bumps in the road. I’m just glad to still be on the road, open to all possibilities, all wonders. I love anything magnolia, having stumbled upon many magnolia trees on my travels.
    I live in the USA.

  • Once again, I must thank you all, for firstly and most importantly enjoying the beautiful fragrance that is ‘Ithaka’ through my interpretive words and secondly for feeling what I write, it means so much to me.

  • Dubaiscents says:

    “Beckoning me to feel, to open my eyes, to extend all senses beyond their modernity dulled capacity.” So often new releases are just repeats of things done before but this review by Dana makes me believe Mendittorosa has pushed the limits with this one and I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for the chance. I am in the US.

  • Truly a exquisite and one of my favorites. The name is so unique and I love bergamot.
    I live in USA.

  • This is a beautifully written review. Well done! I love incense in Perfume and have never had one with magnolia in it. So I’m very curious about this one, not to mention that beautiful bottle! I live in the USA thank you for this generous giveaway!

  • First of all, I must confess I`m in love with Menditorrosa`s bottles, they are really special. This perfume is even special due to the mythology. And I am in the time of my life with big changes, traveling is one of them. This presentation in really delightful, I can dream with my eyes open 🙂 I`m from EU (Romania)

  • I love the bottle and the pictures. The description of the fragrance was above my head I am afraid to say. I like a more straight review where I can imagine what it smells like. I do own Le Mat which is really good. I live in the UK.

  • Such a beautiful composition of notes. It’s the drydown that really draws my attention. Benzoin, patchouli and incense are some of my favorite notes in a perfume.
    I live in the US.

  • I like when Danu writes that Ithaka invites us to travel “either upon the globe itself or the internal travelling” and “to feel, to open eyes, to extend all senses”, “to observe and appreciate the wonder, the minutiae in awe”. I like incense in perfumes and think that Ithaka may be a wonderful sensory experience and spiritual journey. Thanks for the draw. I live in the EU.

  • An excellent review by Danu and this fragrance sounds exquisite! Danu really took me on a journey with this one and the imagery is quite amazing. My favorite line was: “Mendittorosa Odori d’Anima Ithaka is an entrancing composition, from its very meeting with my skin to days later, the finest gossamer reminiscences around me.” I know this one is a must try. Thanks for the giveaway and I live in the US!

  • Geoffrey Rickly says:

    As a traveling musician, this review speaks to me. Sometimes we travel so light that all we have is our own skin. But that does not mean we have nothing. We bring life with us. The impression of all our experience stays on our skin, like the wisps of incense you experienced days later from this scent. Mendittorosa is a beautiful house. I love the slight tangy note that place in the heart of their best compositions, giving the sweetness a complexity that keeps them interesting, wear after wear. In Le Mat, I always think of the Immortel note, long after I have showered. And so I must wear it again! I would love to bring this bottle on my travels. Be well!

  • Geoff Rickly says:

    I almost forgot to add that I live in the US.

    As a traveling musician, this review speaks to me. Sometimes we travel so light that all we have is our own skin. But that does not mean we have nothing. We bring life with us. The impression of all our experience stays on our skin, like the wisps of incense you experienced days later from this scent. Mendittorosa is a beautiful house. I love the slight tangy note that place in the heart of their best compositions, giving the sweetness a complexity that keeps them interesting, wear after wear. In Le Mat, I always think of the Immortel note, long after I have showered. And so I must wear it again! I would love to bring this bottle on my travels. Be well!

  • Thank-You Danu and Stefania Squeglea for the review and the bottle of Ithaka. Such a Dreamy description Danu of the Bergamot, Magnolia and Rich Incense and the base notes mixture it moves with the poetry and sounds long lasting. I’ve only been lucky enough to experience Omega fr this house which I Love I’ve had a few on my long list. The bottles are so sexy I would be honored to win this Jewel. USA