Au Lac

I obtained a sample of this about a year ago and was so disappointed that although I loved the sample, there was no where to purchase this so had to file it away with the other unobtainable fragrances that I had sampled. But I was absolutely delighted to discover that escentual.com stock this and will ship to NZ! So I ordered it and anxiously awaited it's arrival, hoping it was as beautiful as I remembered. Alberto Morillas is one of my favourite perfumers and he has not disappointed with this. It is an ethereal floral aquatic with such clarity, you can almost pinpoint every note individually yet they combine to create a beautiful harmony. It does remind me of L'eau d'issey but is done 100 times better. If I could go back and remarry my sweetheart I would be sure to wear this. I also have to mention the exquisite design of the bottle, the picture just does not do it justice, the bottle is stunning to see and to hold. I am so happy to have this in my collection and although I wouldn't normally purchase a 100ml size I feel that it won't be enough!

AU LAC by Eau d’Italie Exquisitely beautiful aquatic floral. This is Monet’s “Waterlilies” come to life with all dewy diaphanous pastel splendor. An Undine is singing a siren’s song and combing her hair in an enchanted freshwater lake surrounded by richly fragrant night-blooming waterlilies in the summer moonlight. Refined scents of delicately spicy osmanthus, night blossoming jasmine, and climbing summer rose vines are woven through the perfumed trails of the waterlilies and leafy papyrus plants. A grove of ripe fig and a flowering bitter orange trees surround this magical lake in a delicately scented herbal embrace. A touch of soft amber and quietly subdued cedarwood gently grounds the whole composition. I derive absolute pristine freshness without acridity or any trace of sour imbalance on my skin. No sweetness beyond that which is present in the natural plant aromas exist to sully the perfect clarity and elegance of this blend. This is a fairy tale masterpiece of enchanting beauty. Bravo and thank you Maestro Morillas.

Au Lac was my first niche fragrance. It had to be. I felt I had no choice but to own it. I HAD to capture its essence somehow. It's so expressive, poetic really. A bottle filled not just with the most beautiful water lilies in perfumery, but with white swans, a small garden of osmanthus and a precious few jasmine. It's a bottle filled with with Victorian sensibilities and romance, endless, endless romance. It's a fragrance of nature, but also with an air of refinement. Some days it's fleeting on my skin, some days it's with me for hours. Some days it's more aquatic, some delicately but decidedly floral. I use to wonder if I had simply fallen victim to the name, By the Lake, or the press, a fragrance inspired by a passionate love story between a princess and a painter. Is it real? I've chosen to think so. I don't just love Au Lac, I need it. It speaks to me. Makes promises. Offers peace and serenity. Tells me love stories I want to hear.

At first, I smelled nothing. And 10 minutes later, I was in paradise. Au Lac within few minutes from literally nothing becomes one of the most wonderful fragrances out there, a journey to the past, a delicate memory of an enchanted garden. The top notes were not what really grabbed by attention, although water lily has a strong presence here, but the subtle combination of rose and osmanthus surprised me and drew me in. It's a simple fragrance, but by no means simplistic! The woody base is also a faint accent, all to emphasise on the lovely flowers, fresh, sweet, delicate, very feminine. If fairies smelled of a perfume, they would smell of Au Lac, I am quite sure. I also find this scent somehow familiar, although I can't quite remember what does it remind me of. Perhaps a glimpse of a memory from my past life?

This is so delicate...but with good sillage. Like if the word "perfection" had a smell. A fairy tale wedding day scent...fresh, clean, enchanted flower garden. The feel of colors of the lightest pastel hues surrounded by glorious white clouds. Breathtakingly Lovely. So beautiful I can only 'sigh' in appreciation. Love, Love...Love.