Rie Rasmussen, Vogue UK December 2005, photographed by Norbert Schroeder via |
Pichola was inspired by Lake Pichola in India, since the canon of Neela Vermeire Creations draw inspiration from the peninsula. But fear not, ye armchair traveler of little faith in your abilities of envisioning vast expanses of water with flowing flowers. Much as Pichola draws elements from the impressive scenery it is not a carte postale style of fragrance for Americans in need of issuing a passport. As Carson McCullers put it "We are torn between a nostalgia for the familiar and an urge for the foreign and strange. As often as not, we are homesick most of the places we have never known..."
Pichola is not a travel "selfie". This shape shifter of a fragrance has backbone, finesse and above all the charm that makes a fragrance go beyond the mere pretty into addictive.
It impressed me in that I have tried the scent three times and Pichola performed differently on ALL three occasions, which hasn't really happened before. You can blame it on Rio, I guess, but I did find that the temperature of my skin brought to the surface different elements. The first time Pichola by Neela Vermeire projected as an intensely white floral with a cleaned up jasmine and orange blossom, plus a budding gardenia note. It gave me a nod of Pure Poison, to be honest, which was impressive since that one is a very loud (albeit beautiful perfume) and not Bertrand Duchaufour's "style" (who is more subdued and much less obvious).
On the second testing Pichola was much milkier white floral and had a green-husks velvety touch floating about, like coconut and fig leaf (stemone, massoia lactone, something along those two lines) which did remind me of Duchaufour and his masterful translation of earthy tones and woody notes, such as in L'Artisan's Timbuktu. Third time it was distinctly orange blossom and lush, scrumptious but not really indolic tuberose, plus a sandalwood milkiness chased by a huge clean musk note.
This creature purred...and I purred with delight over it.
Fragrance Notes for Neela Vermeire Creations Pichola:
Top Notes
Neroli, Clementine, Bergamot, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Saffron, Juniper, Magnolia
Heart Notes
Orange blossom, Rose, Tuberose, Jasmine sambac, Ylang ylang
Base notes
Haitian vetiver, Benzoin, Sandalwood , Driftwood
Related reading on Perfume Shrine:
Neela Vermeire Fragrance Reviews & News: Trayee, Mohur, Bombay Bling
"Creamy" fragrances: scents of rich clotted cream
Indolic vs. Non Indolic: White Florals of Passion
The Jasmine Series: Perfumes highlighting the King of Flowers
I tried this in Milan recently, it was absolutely lovely, perhaps my favorite from Neela so far, but then again I have always a soft spot for white florals. On me it was very tuberosy.
ReplyDeleteDearest L!!
DeleteSo you were in Milan? Did you catch my Orto Botanico di Brera presentation as well by any chance? (Posted about it a bit, though time synchronization would have been hard.)
To the chase: Yes, this is absolutely lovely! I loved it as well (tie with Mohur), though it didn't have that familiar evergreen/camphor top note that hardcore tuberose frags emit. But it DOES contain a huge proportion of tuberose. Top notch, as usual with NVC.
mmmmm, sounds just lovely. i'd love to try this---seems like a perfect summer perfume option.
ReplyDeleteHighly recommend that you do. It's a magnificent summer option because it projects juuuuuuust right!!
DeleteIt sounds lovely - I have enjoyed others from NV, so...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful...a chakra chant of tuberose and neroli whites brings light to my wintered heart, whose pulse strengthens with the reassurance of the vetiver drone.
ReplyDelete