Monsoon

MONSOON: the season during which the southwest monsoon blows, commonly marked by heavy rains; rainy season. If you have ever lived in the southwest desert in the US, you will be very familiar with monsoon season. The clouds will suddenly cover the entire sky and atmosphere in darkness. Sudden tempest will gush throughout. Torrential rains will pound. Smell of the fresh rain cooling the entire earth that has been burning from the scorching sun. The monsoon is a powerful storm and tremendous in all its glory. This perfume is all that and more. Its the scent of the desert after being cooled by the rains. The wet creosote bush in all its earthy beauty after the storm. DAME Monsoon is a masterpiece and quietly beautiful. My skin blooms (my favorite) iris flower and orris root. It is brightened with water lily and the signature pretty jasmine used in other DAME perfumes. There is a soft gentle drydown of cedar with just enough creosote smell to keep it earthy and natural. If you enjoy Prada Infusion D'iris and Chanel No 19 Poudré, I highly recommend this beauty. To me DAME Monsoon is more gorgeous and wearable. Easily loved by a woman and superb for a man comfortable in his own skin. DAME Earth Mother has been my signature scent. But I will honestly say that Monsoon might just become my Spring/Summer signature perfume. I look forward to hopefully one day soon owning the larger size bottle. The artwork is immaculate and fits in perfectly with the other DAME artist collection bottles.

Dame flexes his artistic muscles a little bit with this release. This fragrance goes through three distinct phases: dusty/earthy (orris), powdery floral (iris), and watery/floral (lily). While these three notes aren't the only things detectable, they definite the distinct phases of this scent. Monsoon is also full of juxtapositions: wet and dry, earthy and clean, warm and cool, masculine and feminine, real and ethereal. And yet, Jeffery manages all of this in a very accessible, well priced fragrance. However, as with anything as dynamic and unique as this, it certainly isn't for everyone. When I first smelled this, it was in the middle phase, it reminded me of Prada Infusion d'Iris Cedre, but more beautiful and relaxed. If it smelled like that the entire time I would wear it all the time. In the dry down, the lily really comes out. It certainly smells beautiful, but it isn't something that I really want to smell like. I could also see some people having a little difficulty with the opening, but I enjoy it. This is a true work of art from a wonderful perfumer (with great customer service), and I think this is one that everyone should test. It's interesting and beautiful, just not for everyone.

I love how I can smell the desert in Dame Perfumery's Monsoon! I got to visit Arizona when I was young―one of the best weeks of my life. I did not get to experience a monsoon, but one day the air was heavy with the threat of a thunderstorm. The dust in the air that day is accurately (though somewhat stylistically) represented in this beautiful perfume. The water lily and lily of the valley lend a salty and wet mood, though it retains a dry and dusty character. I love the creosote/orris/iris combination, too. Very unique and evocative. In addition to my family's vacation, this nostalgic perfume also smells identical to an old wooden desk my grandma had. As strange as it may sound, the first whiff I ever had of this perfume shot me straight back to memories of smelling that desk and the rubber bands she stored in its top drawer.

I maintain that dame is the best indie House in North America. The guy just does it right. He has well planned marketing strategy to back up very nice smelling products. I received a sample of monsoon in the mail yesterday - and in many ways, it’s a perfect fragrance. Monsoon is a great name for this - as it reminds you of the rampant growth you’d find after a period of heavy rain. The orris and iris play a major role in this earthy composition. While I thoroughly enjoy the smell, it does strike me as feminine. Mainly because it smells just like my girlfriend’s condo. At any rate - if you haven’t tried dame perfumery and you live within the United States, you’re really selling yourself short. Great work as usual! 7/10

Sometime in my ancient history (1978ish?), I visited Tucson, Arizona during the monsoon season. The trip was life changing, but what really stayed with me was the smell of the foot hills after a rain storm had swept through. The scent was exotic and holy - it reminded me of church after high holy days combined with a trip to a Pier One Imports store (eucalyptus maybe?). I've been doing research about this smell, and I have learned that it is the creosote that is the main note. Hmph! Try to find that note anywhere! You won't, but Jeffrey Dame has made it happen. Hats off to a master perfumer!