Since 1901, Bergdorf Goodman has been providing the utmost in quality, service and luxury to New York City on the corner of 5th Avenue and 58th Street.  To celebrate this New York landmark, Master Perfumer Roja Dove was asked to create two exclusive perfumes that embody this legendary institution.  Back in September, I reviewed Goodman’s, Roja Dove’s creation named for the Bergdorf Goodman men’s store.  And now, Roja Dove has launched Goodman’s female counterpart, Bergdorf.  Together, they were both created to personify Bergdorf Goodman, the pinnacle of style, service and inspiration for over a century.

WHAT I SMELL:  Bergdorf’s opening is comprised of airy florals which dance around a bright bergamot.  The florals are lightly sugared and candied making the opening so incredibly bright and cheerful that it feels like you’re running through a summer field of delicate wild flowers in a warm and sunny afternoon.  The florals are hard to distinguish as they’re flawlessly blended, but the violet pops out as a cheery leader of the bunch.  The fragrance is grounded by a hazy base of sandalwood which warms the fragrance as it moves from the shiny and carefree opening, to more of a refined, graceful and full-bodied floral that is wrapped around the edges with pink pepper.  After around 15 minutes, Bergdorf turns into a ball gown.  The fragrance dances,  moves and twirls under a shimmering light.   It’s pretty, lush and full of gaiety.  As more time passes, the fragrance quiets as if the dancing slows and the party retreats to quieter and contained refinement.  The florals then become deeper and they’re met with this lush and comforting warmth that is very secure in its majestic self.  As beauty is not always what it seems, there is just a bit of dirty (I think it’s the castoreum) that brings a bit of realness to the florals as if to say, “all that glitters is not gold.”  My favorite part of the fragrance arrives after around an hour when Bergdorf’s becomes smooth as golden silk covering the windows to the garden outside, which at this point, the now lightly creamy florals are hauntingly and beautifully restrained.

Bergdorf Notes:

Top – Bergamot

Heart – May Flower, Orange Blossom, Heliotrope, Rose, Jasmine, Gardenia, Tuberose, Violet, Pink Pepper

Base –  Patchouli, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Storax, Oakmoss, Vanilla, Benzoin, Musk, Frankincense, Castoreum

“Bergdorf Goodman, in my mind, has always embodied the refinement, glamour, and polish that is the very best of Manhattan.

With Bergdorf, I wanted to create an incredibly feminine scent that was unapologetically refined, elegant and sensual. A rich bouquet, with notes of Gardenia and May Flower, nestling on a base of Oakmoss and Vanilla”.

Roja Dove, Master Perfumer

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  The life of Marie Antoinette, starting with her carefree youth as an Archduchess of Austria through her infamous and larger than life reign as Queen of France.  It’s charming innocence in the beginning and grand, refined and strikingly beautiful throughout the end even when her world became oh so real.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE BERGDORF:  refined, graceful, stately

BOTTOM LINE:  The problem with reviewing a Roja Parfum creation is that the development is so seamless and pulling apart notes is next to impossible.  But what a great problem to have.  It’s just testament to the talent of Roja Dove.  I have to admit that at first, I was going to give Bergdorf’s a rating of 4 bones, but each time I wear this, my love grows stronger.  So in the end, I have to up the ante.  Bergdorf is a legendary perfume for a legendary store.

For those of you lucky to in be in NYC on Thursday December 4th, Roja Dove will be appearing at Bergdorf Goodman’s from 5 to 6pm.  This is your opportunity to have Roja Dove himself, sign your exclusive bottles of Bergdorf and Goodman’s!

• Bone Rating: 4.5 out of possible 5 bones
• Scent: Floral
• Nose:  Roja Dove
• Classification: Feminine
• Expense: $545 for 50ml parfum, exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman via Roja Parfums’ Bergdorf Goodman Representative, Tom Crutchfield, 212-872-2768.

Sample courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman.