Manos Gerakinis Pivoine Review + The Lovers Draw

July 21, 2019July 21, 2019

Manos Gerakinis via Manos

If I had asked you some years back what you thought were the great perfume capitals of the world, you might have simply answered “Paris, London, New York,Milan…” In the ensuing time since those dark ages of 20+ years hence, the internet has transformed everything, giving us access to extraordinary perfumers from Moscow to Manilla and beyond. Currently Manos Gerakinis is creating quite the scented splash and seems destined to bring Greece firmly onto the olfactive world stage. Manos is no stranger to high-end goods; with ten years working for luxury retailer Harrods Of London, so a natural progression would be the creation of his own range. How lucky and blessed are we that he chose scent as his preferred medium of expression. Word of Manos Gerakinis’ creations first started being whispered about in late 2016 on Facebook forums and other social media; the comments were uniformly glowing, and it was clear the something special was happening in Athens.

Manos Gerakinis Pivoine

Taking a page from the book of classic french perfume and adding an eastern sensibility Manos has created perfumes that could be classified as “From Greece to west”; perfectly composed fragrances with just a touch of unrestrained Aegean wildness. Manos Gerakinis Pivoine created in 2017 is the perfect example of the thoughtfulness and deliberate consideration that Manos brings to all his work. Corners are not cut and shortcuts are not taken in his quest to create his memorable perfumes.

Peony 3 by Thomas Darnell ©

Manos Gerakinis Pivoine opens with a slight taste of apple, but not eaten out of hand, this apple is elegant and peeled by a favorite European uncle, panama-hatted, silver engraved penknife in hand, the peel a perfect spiral. This is an apple of anticipation awaiting a first tart bite. Peony is also present from the get-go. A beautiful pink-hued rosy blushed peony whose scent is narcotic, alluring, and soporific. The addition of rose and jasmine shore up the heady peony fragrance while the carnation adds a very welcome peppery piquancy. At the base is the suede, the wild note of the greek forests and animals, adding an almost Dionysian and earthy vibe, which sets Pivoine miles ahead of other non-gender specific florals. The sillage and longevity are the stuff of legends, a perfume befitting the Olympian gods and goddesses.

Manos Gerakinis Peony perfume and the Tarot card for the Lovers by Robert H

Interestingly, each of the Manos Gerakinis parfums are given a subtle and uplifting Tarot card connection on his website. I asked Manos about this and he explained that it is his gentle way of reminding people that positive things happen to people with positive attitudes. I couldn’t agree more. The card for Manos Gerakinis Pivoine is appropriately “The Lovers”.

You can read more about another Manos Gerakinis’ creation Rose Poétique written by Despinahere.

Manos Gerakinis Perfumes are available throughout Europe and we have heard it may be comeing to the USA soon as well.

Notes: Red apple, peony, jasmine, carnation, rose, suede

Disclosure: Thanks so much to Manos Gerakinis for the sample of Pivoine. The opinions are my own.

–Robert Herrmann, Senior Editor

All photos from Manos Gerakinis unless otherwise indicated.

Thanks to the generosity of Manos Gerakinis, we have a draw for TWO 10ml travel sprays of Manos Gerakinis Pivoine for two registered readers, one in the USA or EU. There are two winners. You must register here or your comment will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what you enjoyed most about Robert’s review of Manos Gerakinis Pivoine and where you live. Draw closes 7/24/2019

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Çafleurebon and use our blog feed… or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.