Hermessence Rose Ikebana

I am generally a big fan of Elena (especially his greens), his fragrances are masterful, pleasurable, and this one especially shows what I think is one of his best abilities-- to blend very recognize-able notes in a way that balances them, produces something alltogether new, and maintains a kind of clarity and sense of control. I would never read this as ROSE at any point of the wear. In fact I am mostly so entranced by the kind of swirling zing of the other notes that encircle the rose that it becomes kind of secondary. Even before it disappears and the rose is most prominent it still shares the stage with the other ingredients— again, masterful, controlled. Control is interesting because it doesnt mean it feels uptight or strangled or forced, but rather its mastered- its balanced- so that nothing feels muddled or confused- and each note has space to be as ripe or wild or sharp or delicious as it has potential to be. The overall effect of this bright, citrusy, sweet-tea-infused fragrance is almost gourmand (but I love rose and rose tea and never read it as old or grandmother-y and I know many people have this reaction). On my skin it doesn't change a ton on dry down - which is great as I love the scent both on application and dry down. Its something I have worn to work because its so light and fresh, with minimal sillage. Like most Hermessence the term "diaphanous" applies here and the performance is rather short and fleeting. Sometimes I mix this in with other complimentary scents (although it does feel like a bit of a corruption... Im all for experimentation with layering) which have better longevity and enjoy this initial phase and then let it subtly color its partner for the rest of the wear. But sometimes the ephemerality is the beauty of it... it's delicious and bright and then this ghost of a tea-citrus rose for personal enjoyment that you can zap back into existence with a spritz or let fade away. Rose Ikebana, I love you too.

Hermessence Rose Ikebana is much more than just a rose perfume; it is a lesson in olfactory minimalism signed by the great master Jean-Claude Ellena. Launched in 2004 as part of the exclusive Hermessence collection, it perfectly embodies the aesthetics of the Parisian fashion house: whispered luxury, effortless elegance and exceptional raw materials. The art of removing: The name recalls Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. As in a Japanese bouquet, where every stem and every void has a meaning, this fragrance does not seek baroque opulence, but transparency. It is a rose stripped of its heavy, dusty or too sweet aspects. Despite being classified as Woody Spicy, the fragrance behaves on the skin like a lively and luminous watercolor. The first spray is an explosion of freshness. The grapefruit note is masterful: bitter, sparkling and realistic. You immediately perceive a sensation of "clean" and morning dew. The rose emerges not as a cut and withered flower, but as a bud still on the plant, wet from the rain. It is accompanied by a note of rhubarb which adds a tart and crunchy facet, making the composition modern and vibrant. At the bottom the fragrance warms up slightly. The spicy and woody notes are hinted at, almost imperceptible, they only serve to give structure and a very slight musky persistence on the skin. Rose Ikebana is the ideal fragrance for those looking for a rose that doesn't smell "old". It is an intellectual, serene and incredibly refined perfume. Ellena's touch: You can feel her "watercolor" signature. Don't expect a kilometre-long trail; expect a perfume that blends with the skin, giving a feeling of aristocratic freshness for a few hours.

Rose Ikebana (Store test, Central Lardpao) I buy my grocery today. Can’t resist to test out something, this time I tried Rose Ikebana. It is a great rose fragrance as it should be. Done to perfection from Elena.. It has spicy edge, right amount of fruity to create a beautiful rose, during the opening, I think of another fragrance “Eau Rose (edp)” by Diptyque. But this more dew, youth side. Scent develop as rose fragrance should be, muskier over time. Somewhat it is substantial than its catalog. Spicy with very mild fruity rose support. In the far end, the scent reduces to Rhubarb and something reminds me of green vetiver, might be Cassis. Very soft and clean the musk is not strong beautiful rose and musk. I can’t perceive another strong nose apart from Rose, Spicy, Green and Fruity. The rest of the note are dial back to support the floral. I don’t want to say this.. as each fragrance has it beauty of its own but as of current market they was an other option that can be replaced this watercolor drawing of rose fragrance. To name a few; Rose de Mai (from JCE), Rose de Taif or Eau Rose. I can say Rose Ikebana is beautiful of them all but.. consider the price, I might just can’t recommend. I believe Rose Ikebana is a blueprint to other modern rose fragrance, it is really help develop late perfumer like usage of Rhubarb in Delina, airy stucture of freen rose but it can’t hold an icon as the market now fill with something similar. I truly appreciate this but it lacks uniqueness to define this current price in the market. I will definitely buy as collector, if I ever come across the great deal.

I never knew I liked rose scents until I tried this one. It's a delightful fruity-citrus-rose elixir that tickles my nose (in a good way), with the rose note being fresh roses straight from the florist's refrigerator. The longevity is okay, I can still smell it on my skin after a day at work. I have read that some compare this scent to In Love Again by YSL (also created by JCE) and Babydoll by YSL. But make no mistake, while they resemble one another, this scent is far and away superior in terms of sheer beauty and complexity. Interestingly, the sales assistant in the Hermes boutique told me that Jean-Claude Ellena was given artistic license to use whatever raw materials he wanted for the Hermessence series, and that he spared no cost. She explained that he considers the Hermessence line his "babies" because he wasn't as constricted artistically as to how the perfumes should smell. Not sure how accurate this is, but it may help explain the high price per bottle.

I can never get enough of good rose scents, and Rose Ikebana, as can be expected from Hermès(sense), is really wonderful: a light, fresh, fruity rose that's still sophisticated and well-balanced and never gets boring. All through the development, a wonderfully airy rose takes the main spotlight. In the opening it is deliciously fruity, with lots of rhubarb and citrus, subtly tart but not at all sharp, very refreshing. A little later on, as the sweet tea accord becomes more prominent, it gets a little more powdery, which is lovely as well. And it never gets to be too much or overwhelming. It's just a very happy kind of fragrance, a real joy to wear at any time of year (except maybe in the kind of heat wave we are currently suffering). I already have so many great rose scents in my (decant) wardrobe, but it seems I'm going to have to start saving up for another one...In Rose Ikebana, I think I've found my perfect light and fruity rose.