WHAT I SMELL: Domaine graces the skin with a warm buttery and creamy green opening. It’s abundantly rich and intoxicatingly lush. As the initial intoxication fades, the perfume’s development unfolds subtly and quietly and tonka discretely emerges in the base, adding depth and warmth. The lily of the valley here however is not what we think of as spring-like that’s light and airy. Instead, a touch of earthy richness binds the lily of the valley to the other notes. Here, this soliflore perfume resides like a heavenly body for eternity. Domaine is beyond beautiful.
BOTTOM LINE: Domaine is a rather quiet perfume. But this creamy lily of the valley elixir is an incredible gift from the perfume gods thanks to perfumer Fredrik Dalman.
WHAT I SMELL: Dõjima has a soft and subtle opening which quickly gives rise to a warm and milky rice and a nutty amber. The perfume is quiet and contained and it seems to possess a zen like reverence. While the miky rice note remains as it develops, the amber takes on more a floral hue. And the florals seem to float above the milkiness as if they are dancing lightly atop a ripple on a quiet pond. The remaining nutty amber seems to flicker in and out which makes the perfume lightly gourmand with hints of green tea. Dõjima is slow to transform, but being true to the serenity of the fragrance, its gentle unfolding is like a quiet journey for the soul.
The name derives from the Dōjima Rice Exchange founded by Samurai in 1697 in Osaka, Japan. Let us travel back to this moment in time, have the beauty and serenity of a single rice grain work as your seductive armor.
Dõjima turns to powder as it combines with the warmth of the skin and a cloud of rice powder surrounded by jasmin and orris radiates through the day. The soft texture of rice is lifted by a warm powdered amber speckled with dry spices and woods on a creamy musk base.
BOTTOM LINE: I am a big fan of perfumer Fredrik Dalman, his Mona di Orio debut Bohea Boheme was one of my picks for new releases of last year. Like Bohea Boheme, Dõjima quietly unfolds the mysteries of the east. There is nothing brash, nor hard about this gem, but like a jewel, its beauty sparkles with a reverent dignity.
2016 is already gone and once again I am running behind with posting. But before we head officially into 2017, I am going to give my wrap up on this past year. Now, I can’t claim I was able to experience all of the new releases this past year (actually, I don’t believe there were enough days in the year to accommodate all the industry had to offer)…but instead will cite which ones that I thought were special. So let’s get to it:
The best of 2016:
Rendezvous by DSH Perfumes – Dawn Spencer Horowitz continues to create incredibly memorable perfumes with her very distinctive signature style. With Rendezvous, she took a decaying floral and made it magnificent. These days it takes a lot to make a perfume hit me on an emotional level, but this beauty did. And I don’t think that this perfume got the love it deserves.
Stones by Atelier de Geste – When you take the green beauty of Chanel No. 19 and mix it with an earthy blend, you get the incredibly modern Stones. This limited edition perfume was a surprise to me and again I haven’t heard any buzz around it.
Mona di Orio Bohea Bohème – Bohea Bohème was perfumer Fredrik Dalman’s first creation for the house of Mona di Orio. The tea based perfume is a subtle testament to Mona’s legacy. Quiet and unassuming, Bohea Bohème is all about the quiet journey. I look forward to seeing what Fredrik creates next.
Lesquendieu le Parfum by J. Lesquendieu – 2016 saw the reemergence of the house of J. Lesquendieu. The classic line of legacy perfumes were once again available for the lucky few who can afford these beauties. Easily the best of the re-releases is Lesquendieu le Parfum. Uncomplicated, but oh so pretty, you can see why true luxury comes at a price. Smooth as silk…if only I could afford a bottle myself!
Arbolé Arbolé by Hiram Green – The release of Arbolé Arbolé came as a bit of a surprise as Hiram Green had launched Dilettante a few months prior. But I’m glad that he did release this very nostalgic velvety smooth creation. Hiram’s work is always top of the line…here he’s at his best.
Chanel No. 5 L’Eau – Light and refreshing and sparkling with modernity. This No. 5 flanker is superb even if you’re not a big fan of the original. This perfume just makes me so incredibly happy.
L’Atessa by Masque Milano – Unique is hard to come by these days…L’Atessa certainly is with its yeasty champagne fizz which gives way to a lovely powdered floral drydown. Add that to the most exquisitely redesigned signature perfume bottle, Masque Milano has hit it out of the park with this release.
The perfumes of Parfums Dusita – Perfumer Pissara Umavijani debuted 3 perfumes in 2015, but I didn’t experience them until this year…so as far as I’m concerned, they’re part of this year’s “best of.” So which one is the best? Hard to say which one I like the best, the sensual white floral, Melodie de L’Amour; the refined Ouhd Infini or the modern fougere Issara? I can’t choose because all three deserve recognition. There are two new perfumes in the line which I have yet to experience…this time I won’t wait a year to do so.
The worst of 2016:
I don’t like doing the worst because perfume is an individual taste…what you might not like, others may love. But there was one perfume this past year that just hit me incredibly wrong and that was…
Tauerville Fruitchouli Flash – This super sweet and thick concoction gave me a cavity by just smelling it. Sorry Andy.
So given all of these beauties from this past year, what did I end up wearing for the most part? I really pretty much stuck to the classics. My most worn perfume of 2016 was Mitsouko, the parfum extrait, which I just craved over and over again. The 2nd most worn perfume was Chanel Beige which is just so easy to love. Maybe 2017 will provide me with a new classic that I won’t be able to stay away from.
WHAT I SMELL: Domaine graces the skin with a warm buttery and creamy green opening. It’s abundantly rich and intoxicatingly lush. As the initial intoxication fades, the perfume’s development unfolds subtly and quietly and tonka discretely emerges in the base, adding depth and warmth. The lily of the valley here however is not what we think of as spring-like that’s light and airy. Instead, a touch of earthy richness binds the lily of the valley to the other notes. Here, this soliflore perfume resides like a heavenly body for eternity. Domaine is beyond beautiful.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A French chateau ravaged by time but which still beholds its beauty of days past.
2016 is already gone and once again I am running behind with posting. But before we head officially into 2017, I am going to give my wrap up on this past year. Now, I can’t claim I was able to experience all of the new releases this past year (actually, I don’t believe there were enough days in the year to accommodate all the industry had to offer)…but instead will cite which ones that I thought were special. So let’s get to it:
Lesquendieu le Parfum by J. Lesquendieu
The Scented Hound 