Roses are back, baby!

The symbolism of the rose is famous throughout many ages and cultures, just as it's importance within the fragrance world. A main stay of the perfume world. this ancient middle-verging on base note has been found on the pulse points of it-girls since ancient Egypt (hello, Cleopatra) who reportedly incorporated rose oils and petals into her daily luxury rituals like the queen she was.   

For the centuries that followed, roses were in vogue. Shakespeare was banging on about whether another name would be so sweet and the mad queen in Alice in Wonderland was forcing everyone to paint them. And the fragrance world was right there with them. But then, and perhaps due to the obscure ingredient phase of the 2010's roses seem not to be getting as much press as they used to. 

I understand the sentiment all too well as I developed our upcoming scent Ana. I developed the scent alongside an Amsterdam girlie with impeccable taste who pointed me into the direction of roses. At first, I was hesitant, conjuring a more mature scent in my mind. However, as we developed the scent through samples it became clear to me that roses have been long overlooked dare I say neglected by the fragrance world in the way the Academy looks over our queen Kirsten Dunst. 

It seems I am not the only one who feels this way, with Vogue confirming this week that roses indeed deserve a shout out for this coming fall so long as she is paired with the right companion. As stated by Berg and Jelk, "... those classic roses can be beautiful, of course, but if they are treated too literally, they can feel old or dated.” As I discovered while creating Ana, a rose is only as good as it's counterpart. 

For Ana, her namesake and the girlie who helped me develop the scent, she envisioned an Italian garden at the end of summer. Citrus rotting on the ground and roses wilting in the breeze. The idea of returning to the earth, when an ingredient is at its most pungent, was captivating to both of us. So we added Grapefruit and Tangerine to represent a Milanese orchard. Vetiver, Rosewood and Frankincense to represent the pungent earth and then some Chilli and Prickly Pear for good measure. And of course, rose rose rose.

All good things take time and Ana is not exception. Watch this space. Until then flirt with her lighter cousin Casey if you want who is of the citrus and jasmine persuasion.