Talk about hook, line and sinker.
Neha Kedia at ScentSutra.com is partly responsible for this blog post. I write about some of my favourite fragrances on the blog ( it used to be called #FragranceOfTheMonth but the monthly schedule has been erratic in 2017 – I’m going to have to think of a new name for the series because I will continue to feature perfumes but of course ) and Neha, who is one of the people who handles and runs the ScentSutra brand, proceeded to send me a box full of artisanal fragrances including the one featured here : Bracken Woman by Amouage.
After a brief phone conversation, where Neha asked me about the kind of fragrances I preferred, I decided to let her choose something exquisite from their collection and oh my goodness was I right in letting her do what she does best! I will never forget the instant I opened up the box, saw the beautiful packaging of Bracken and sprayed it on my wrist. It has the potential of being 2017’s fragrance of the year. I was in love immediately. And forever.
The moment I’d nosed the fragrance off of my wrist, I could think of : crushed flower petals under my bare feet on a cool marble floor of a temple – a bit of incense wafting in the background – a tinkle of bells – somewhere in the mountains. There’s a woody fresh, floral fragrance of the wet and cool forests. Very green and like water.
In terms of sillage and longevity, the perfume is a medium on my skin. Stays for 4-5 hours and the end notes lightly hint of a powdery musk – lingering green. I honestly don’t know how to describe the fragrance – I’m not particularly keen on saying that it’s “floral”, which it is – but it is so much more. Most reviews say herbal and aromatic, which I agree with. My nose didn’t pick any “leather” though. Bracken Woman is fresh. It is beautiful.
A rani pink chiffon dupatta gently floating in the breeze inside the said temple above. A slight fragrance of the dupatta having been taken out of storage after a while? The garment possibly having been stored with dried tobacco leaves? Maybe. Just a hint. I get a bit of Vetiver, definitely. It’s supposed to have Patchouli but it’s mixed in quite well and is not how I usually expect Patchouli to be. Officially, notes include bracken accord ( if there was anything I’d imagine to be the most beautiful smelling fern on the entire planet, this would be it ), wild berries, lily, narcissus, camomile, smoky leather, patchouli, vetiver and birch.
Wonderfully complex fragrance this. Can’t begin to imagine the kind of thought and work that must have gone into it. I wouldn’t layer this with anything because on its own, Bracken Woman is quite layered. I would, definitely, run out of the bottle pretty quick though. It’s like this need I have. Of being inebriated with this fragrance. Somehow it goes right up into my skull through my nose and nostalgia.
Credits after the photos. ScenSutra is based out of Pune – check them out if you’re looking for nice luxury fragrances in India.
Christopher Chong is the Creative Director at the Omani luxury perfume house, Amouage.
Location courtesy : the lobby of the JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa ( see #REDHUxJWMUSSOORIE for more features of and from the hotel ). Photographs by Akanksha Redhu ( post-production & editing by me ). Jacket courtesy PostFold. Dress purchased at American Apparel. Footwear, Nina Flats, courtesy Oceedee Shoes.
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Amouage Fragrances : Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa : Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
1 comment
Loved the pictures!!
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