Parfums Delrae was founded by DelRae Roth in 2000, and she has maintained her brand by collaborating with Michel Roudnitska, a son of genius perfumer Edmond Roudnitska. Michel Roudnitska, an accomplished perfumer in his own right, is the nose behind Parfums Delrae line, which as of now consists of four fragrances, Eau Illuminée, Amoureuse, Bois de Paradis, and Début.
Amoureuse, containing notes of tangerine, cardamom, French tuberose, French jasmine, Tahitian ginger lily, cedar moss, sandalwood, honey, is my favourite of the range. The first burst of sweet citrus underscored by spicy gingery scent of cardamom is reminiscent of my other favorite, Frédéric Malle Le Parfum de Thérèse, except where Le Parfum de Thérèse folds into the leather accord, Amoureuse continues to soar.
It is a fragrance that transports me to Venice every time I detect its hint of jasmine and honey on my skin. I think of crossing a small stone bridge to reach the apartment where I stayed, an ochre colored building with intricate windows, beneath which the petunias sent forth their spicy pink flames, competing with the creamy scent of white gardenias.
The early morning breeze would carry the scents of lagoon and of za’etti being baked in the pastry shop downstairs as well as the ringing of the church bells from the nearby Chiesa Dei Frari. Passing through the courtyard’s dark arch, the mossy walls of which were perpetually wet and damp, one was invariably overwhelmed by the sunlight filling the tiny campo, its scents and noises mingling together to create an intoxicating sensation. As the rich, spicy tuberose and jasmine veil of Amoureuse drapes around me, I feel that I am indeed in my Venetian apartment ready to emerge into the warm sun and salty breeze of the Adriatic.
Painting: Henri Matisse, Interior, Nice. 1919. Oil on canvas. Barnes Foundation, Lincoln University, Merion, PA, USA. abcgallery.com.
7 Comments
Robin: One of my favorite lines, and my 2nd favorite perfume from them, after Debut. July 6, 2005 at 10:45am
mreenymo: Hello, darling Victoria!
Amoureuse is my first love from this wonderful line! I think that I have almost depleted my bottle. :(:(
I had the pleasure of meeting DelRae Roth on a rainy Tuesday in February ’03 at Fred Segal Santa Monica. It was such a treat to hear her talk about how she actually created the fragrances by experimenting with essential oils, and then worked with Michel Roudnitska to realize her creations.
The only fragrance in the line that I don’t like is Eau Illuminee. Oh well, three out of four is not bad at all, and I can’t wait for her to “debut” another one. 🙂
And the names of her fragrances are just beautiful, don’t you think? “Amoureuse” simply drips off my tongue and through my lips!
Hugs! July 6, 2005 at 11:52am
Tania: Oh, I used to love that one! I tried it on after a long day and I fell in deep, instant love. Unfortunately, it was such a powerful scent that it was impossible to wear to the office, and it was such a drama queen that it was difficult to carry off on quiet weekends. So I mailed it away. I do like to visit it once in a while, though, at Aedes, just for another sniff. July 6, 2005 at 12:03pm
Michelle: This really is a standout. It put me in mind of Joy… and I wondered if this is what Joy might smell like if composed today. Rich and heady. July 6, 2005 at 4:28pm
Atreau: I really like the Parfums Delrae collection but have yet to cave on any of the bottles, maybe later this year. Fantastic description as always V and such a beautiful picture to accompany it! July 6, 2005 at 1:16pm
Michelle: Just revisited it this afternoon, and almost three hours later, it is reminding me very much of Boudoir – another favorite. July 6, 2005 at 8:32pm
Victoria: R from PA,
I must sample Debut!
R from LA,
What an exciting opportunity! I would have love to meet her. As for Amoureuse, the name indeed melts off the tongue, doesn’t it?
T, My biggest regret is parting with Chanel No.22 parfum, although it has been rectified.
S, glad you liked it! I love that particular Matisse painting very much.
M, it is a very sensual fragrance, therefore I am not surprised by your reference to Boudoir. I completely agree about Amoureuse being a modern Joy, it has the same exhiliration about it. July 14, 2005 at 4:41pm