WHAT I SMELL: Violette Fumee opens with the most beautiful lavender and bergamot combination; it’s herbal and refreshing in a creamy comforting way. After a few minutes, the fragrance starts to warm and become deeper as a beefy oakmoss emerges from the bottom that envelopes and seems to fold over the lavender. After about 10 minutes or so, the violet seems to make an appearance from the edge of the fragrance. I know this is going to sound strange, but it’s appearance is like prairie dogs popping their head out of the ground. What I mean is that the violet doesn’t come out at once, but seems to pop in and out until eventually you feel like you are surrounded by violets tinged with rose. Violette Fumee at this point still retains its creaminess but it becomes slightly brighter without becoming sheer. What I love about this is that the herbal aspects of the fragrance keep this from becoming too floral and pretty which allow Violette Fumee to retain a substantive elegance. After some time, the myrrh and opoponax emerge from below and a slight suede provides for a beautiful finish to this multi-faceted fragrance.
Violette Fumee Notes:
Top notes: Mediterranean Lavender, Bergamot from Calabria, Oakmoss from the Balkans
Heart notes: Violet flowers and leaves from Egypt, Turkish Rose, Veitver from Haiti, Clary Sage
Base notes; Opoponax and Myrrh from Somalis, Cashmeran
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A page from a 19th century botanical illustrative leather bound book.
THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE VIOLETTE FUMEE: transformative, calming, elegant
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT VIOLETTE FUMEE: Cafleurebon
BOTTOM LINE: Violet fragrances have not been my friend in the past as I find that they are typically too feminine for my taste. Violette Fumee breaks that mold. The violet doesn’t completely dominate and take over in a sweet and simplistic fashion. The first time I wore this, I really liked it, but the 2nd time I have to say that I loved it. Voilette Fumee is an elegant and substantial fragrance, that holds layers upon layers of wonderful surprises.
- Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
- Scent: Oriental Fougere
- Classification: Unisex
- Expense: EdP Intense to be launched in September 2013
Promotional sample provided by Mona Di Orio Parfums.
The Scented Hound 
July 26, 2013 at 12:24 pm
You bought me with lavender and oakmoss. I need to try this new Mona di Orio scent. I still haven’t found a one in the line up that I would love…
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July 27, 2013 at 6:51 am
To be honest Lucas, I’m not real familiar with the line, just having tested the Cuir, but I have heard that they are really powerful fragrances. This has lasting power and is clearly quality, but it’s not overpowering to me. That said though, my application was from a rollerball vs. spray which can make a difference. And the opening is so incredibly beautiful…do check it out.
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July 26, 2013 at 1:02 pm
Sounds very intriguing, though I have to confess that I’m not a huge fan of lavender. Still, lovely review, my dear Mr. Hound. They always are. 🙂
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July 27, 2013 at 6:54 am
The opening is very herbal and the fragrance overall remains in that state, but I really don’t think of this as a lavender scent. Actually, I am finding that I enjoy lavender if it’s not Yardley Soap lavender.
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July 26, 2013 at 5:14 pm
I agree that violet can be a bit much at times. Your description of this sounds promising.
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July 27, 2013 at 6:55 am
Definitely a violet fragrance for non-violet people. It’s good for Poodles too 🙂
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July 27, 2013 at 3:14 am
I’m with Lucas on it: I want to try it because of lavender and the closest to “love” with MdO brand I came is their Vanille perfume that I really enjoy wearing from timeto time.
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July 27, 2013 at 6:56 am
This makes me want to try more of their line. We do need to have a talk with them though about getting a 30ml or 50ml option along with the 100ml!
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July 27, 2013 at 3:53 pm
At their price point 15 ml (or even 5 but not as a part of the set) might also make sense 🙂
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July 27, 2013 at 9:09 pm
That sounds terrific. I like almost everything from Mona di Orio so I bet I would like this too. Thanks for the great review!
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July 28, 2013 at 6:25 pm
Thanks my dear… I really want to check out much more of the line now. This was a dream.
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July 27, 2013 at 10:01 pm
Hee, I guessed right with 4 out of 5 bones. This sounds nice and will be added to my Must Try list.
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July 28, 2013 at 6:25 pm
I need to write a post about something that doesn’t rate high for me. I’m going to make you spend too much money!
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July 28, 2013 at 11:54 am
This sounds like an interesting effect. I’ll have to smell it just to experience that, even though none of these are favorite notes with me.
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July 28, 2013 at 6:26 pm
To me this is a journey fragrance, which means that it takes it’s time to get where its going and along the way there are many surprises. I love it when a fragrance unfolds…this does that beautifully.
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September 30, 2013 at 6:02 pm
WHAT?! Hahaha. Houndy I hadn’t even heard of this (just followed the link from you Rose review). Seriously, what?!?! Anyway – this actually sounds real nice, providing her signature base doesn’t make me wanna tear my nose off with my bare hands and eat it.
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October 1, 2013 at 4:56 pm
This is very nice and subtle Freddie… unlike many of the other Mona fragrances which can sometimes hold no prisoners. It’s a very nice calming and sophisticated scent.
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