Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.
The scent of iris is one of the most complex and elusive, weaving in metallic violets and snow covered roots. It is a melancholy fragrance by its nature, and it is fascinating to explore the possibilities it offers.
Divine is a small French perfume house located in Dinard on the northern coast of Brittany. Founded by Yvon Mouchel, its line includes three feminine and three masculine fragrances, out of which L’Homme de Coeur and L’Homme Sage are composed by a young perfumer Yann Vasnier. L’Homme de Coeur is an interesting interpretation of iris that exploits its crisp coolness more than its powderiness redolent of violets.
The iris leitmotif that is about to persist like a gentle melody throughout the entire composition is evident upon the first inhale. Tinged by sparkling juniper, iris steps in the background and allows cypress to dominate. The sheer scent of cypress, reminiscent of fresh pinecones and dry needles is a wonderful counterpoint to the metallic glow of iris. The spicy fruit scent of angelica lends an unexpectedly vibrant note that provides a perfect segue into the voluptuous iris heart. As the fragrance dries down, it warms up with sweet winey mustiness of ambergris. Yet, iris that provided a cool breeze leaves its mark, especially when its earthy and icy qualities are heightened by vetiver. As a woman, I feel perfectly comfortable wearing L’Homme de Coeur, however on a man, it is just ravishing.
Photo: Claude Monet. Monet’s Garden, the Irises. 1900. Oil on canvas. Musée d’Orsay, Paris. abcgallery.com
12 Comments
parislondres: Dear V! I like L’ame Soeur very much as you know. Also like Divine and L’Infante. I have tried L’Homme de Coeur but not leisurely. I will test this soon. Fab review as always.
xoxo August 11, 2005 at 3:10am
Laura: Victoria, I remember liking l’Infante and Divine when I first tried them a couple of years ago and was intrigued by the fact of where they are made. I’ll definitely check out the new ones you mention (when you come back, heh heh.)
L August 11, 2005 at 5:50am
Campaspe: Sounds wonderful, though vetiver always shrieks “man!” to me. I will definitely try it. August 11, 2005 at 9:12am
Marina: My skin reacted to L’Homme de Coeur in the strangest ways. All I got was the smell of dill pickles. And while that is the smell I absolutely love, it is not something I want to wear 🙂
I loved Divine scent a lot though. August 11, 2005 at 1:41pm
Tara: Franco at Luckyscent actually does have L’Homme de Coeur and L’Homme Sage in stock, he just hasn’t put them on the web page yet. I already bought the Homme de Coeur from him so I know. 🙂
A lovely scent! August 11, 2005 at 4:54pm
Diane: I love all of the facets of iris for just the reason you state: its melancholy nature. I’m inherently a blue sort so it speaks to my inner voice. I have the Divine samples, thus will burrow through the sample mountain and test it soon.
Hugs and kisses! August 11, 2005 at 7:41pm
Victoria: N, dear, thank you! Please let me know what you think about it. I tested it after talking to you 🙂
L, I will make sure you will get to try them. Always a pleasure to hear your thoughts!
F, I think that you may find it too masculine, but still try it. Iris is very beautifully done.
M, I can understand your reference to dill. I love the smell of angelica, but something about it being used with juniper may be slightly redolent of dill. I did not mind it though. I am, as you might have guessed, an iris fiend. 🙂
T, thank you! I will update the information. Considering this scent for my collection at the moment, and your piece of information is just what I needed.
D, me too! Please test and share your thoughts. I am so curious about your reactions.
xoxo to all August 11, 2005 at 10:08pm
Atreau: Oh V, I just adore your descriptions and the pictures you choose to accompany them! Can’t wait to try this line! August 11, 2005 at 11:15pm
BoisdeJasmin: And I cannot wait to hear what you think, S! Your descriptions tend to be so spot on. August 12, 2005 at 12:34am
yann: thanks for your great review! l`Homme de coeur is my personal favorite, the only fragrance i wear, fresh, clean non overpowering orris, so subtle and refined you have to get close to the skin August 24, 2005 at 9:52pm
BoisdeJasmin: Yann, thank you for a beautiful fragrance! I really like the fragrances you have done for Divine, as well as Keiko Mecheri Gourmandises and Red Series for Comme de Garçons, Rose and Palisander. Your compositions blend the notes into the seamless radiant tapestry, and I find them very alluring and elegant. I only hope to have a chance of experiencing more of them.
Victoria August 24, 2005 at 10:27pm
Memoryofscent.wordpress.com: I finally managed to write about this on my blog. One of my favourite iris scents. A big “thank you” to Yann Vasnier for giving us this one. August 17, 2011 at 4:36pm