A rose by another name and yet it calls with a scent so sweet. To fall into a color, it’s warmth like a dip into the sea.
I need perfume in my life, in all of its forms. Admittedly, it is my olfactory coffee or glass of wine, seeing me through from morning until night. But those liquid elixirs that we dab and spritz–or walk through in a cloud à la française–what magic they make. I have been thinking about this since yesterday, after reading yet another fine post by Lanier Smith at Sents Memory. While Lanier usually writes an exquisite short story inspired by a certain perfume before reviewing it, yesterday’s discussion fell to the House of Guerlain, one of my favorites as their long-standing use of quality ingredients endears their products to my fickle red-head skin.
Different scents for different lives within lives or even lives within a day. It is a tool of the least utilitarian sort possible, to cajole or coax or proclaim certain aspects of who we are or wish to be. When I was acting, I would always choose a perfume for my character (my favorite match being Fendi’s “Theorema” for the role of Cleopatra) and a quick inhale at the wrist backstage would always cement me in the circumstances. These days with my memory as wobbly as a child in her mother’s heels, I can reach back in time via certain perfumes as directly as Proust biting into that spongy madeleine.
A bag made of red voile is tucked in the back of my medecine cabinet, one that previously held a welcomed gift of Rouge Hermes from my sweetheart but now is a retirement home for nearly empty bottles of deeply loved scents. I pulled it down gingerly, knowing that I had something from Guerlain in there. Ah yes, Jicky. Created in 1889, it was something of a revolution, being one of the very first to use a mix of essential oils and synthetic molecules and the first to be designated by the word perfume. Take that, Coco Chanel.
I annointed myself with the tiniest bit and inhaled. It smelled differently somehow! Had it turned? No. Had I changed? Yes and no but that wasn’t it. But oh, it felt wonderful to be wearing it again, to be wrapped in something so…familiar…Later in the day that nagging feeling hadn’t left me. A quick search on the internet gave me the answer–Jicky’s olfactory notes? Lavender, rosemary, bergamot, rose. Yes! La Provence! How hadn’t I thought of it sooner?
In this context, it evokes something else entirely than when I wore it roaming the steely corridors of Manhattan. I no longer need a ticket to escape but can take in the blossoming roses all around me. A rose by another name and yet still as sweet.
I am wearing it now…
–Act Two, Scene Two. “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare
Yes, a signature scent is something very special indeed. One left behind like a memento or a calling-card. I still haven't found mine yet but will. As for the use of synthetics (sigh), I know but there are some houses that use a mix of real and synthetic that keeps the prices accessible…but oh was I disappointed to learn that the major houses in Grasse use synthetics today!!!
Not to mention your own exquisite perfumes of history, dear G.
Deborah, I know that I am positively beginning to sound like I work for Guerlain but I know that I have seen the scent that you love in the French Sephora. I can't imagine what it would cost to have it shipped to Melbourne though…!! As always, thanks for your kind words and encouragement.
Angel! That is a very go-get 'em scent. Very va-va-va voom. Glad to have you back, Helen and I hope that your travels were wonderful…
Oooh my Mademoiselle days are long over!!! But thank you…
And I don't think of Jicky as being expensive for what it is. In my local Marionnaud, it is selling for 71€ for a big bottle of the EDT but as Guerlain uses a mix of "real" essences and synthetics, that works just fine. And look! According to Sephora, Shalimar EDP can be yours for 53€! http://www.sephora.fr/Parfum/Parfum-Femme/Shalimar/P2296 I do believe you are worth it… 🙂
I love that idea, Janey! Olfactory travel–and it is free the second time around.;)
Merci, Mr. Laoch.
I agree that a certain scent can put you in a different character and first of all it makes you feel individual. When I smell a special scent it always reminds me to a person I was very close and if you have found your special one you can leave something to your posterity even you are not together anymore .That's the secret of genuine perfum which are unfortunately very expensive because they don't contain synthetics.
I read Lanier Smith's post this morning and now I have your lovely words and photos this evening. I feel as though I have been wrapped in exquisite fragrances all day long. Gallivanta
Wonderful musings. I enjoyed being transported, thank you! And your images today. You have such an eye for detail. You spot design detail and colour changes in everyday surroundings, where others would walk past and not stop to notice.
Its strange how our olfactory senses are so powerful. Smelling a whiff of an aroma, can instantly transport us back to a forgotten memory, sometimes to childhood. Aah that's familiar, I remember when…
Guerlain sometimes produce short runs of their springtime scents which they put under the name of Aqua Allegoria ….They had one which I absolutely loved as a summer scent which was clean light crisp and fruity, called Mandarine Basilic. For a hot day, when you don't want a heavy cloying perfume, it was just gorgeous. But it ain't no more!
I loved the idea of a perfume matched to the personality of the role to put you into character! What a novel, but obvious idea! I would never have thought of that! I'm sure it also helped your fellow actors, remove Heather and only see the character.
Thanks also for finishing with that verse from Shakespeare. It was just perfect!
Well, I have enjoyed reading this over my morning coffee, and had better stop rabbiting on and get on with some work! Thanks Heather!
Cheers,
Deborah from Melbourne.