Mosaic

This ranks as one of my all-time favorite IA fragrances, right up there with Cape Heartache and The Abandoned Mansion. For me, it does what it says on the tin, doing a bizarrely brilliant job of evoking the cool-but-not-too-cool sensation of an old stone bath house. Rather than being something that I'd only want to wear when I wish I could be at the spa, though, the effect is refreshing--as though I was at the baths this morning before going to work. In that way, it's something of a Roman counterpart to Memoirs of a Trespasser, which does a fantastic job of reminding me of a Finnish sauna. I end up wearing it *a lot.* And while "performance" is never my primary criterion, for a composition of this style, I find that it wears very well, certainly through a morning or an afternoon. Here's hoping IA never discontinues this, and maybe considers offering it as a permanent part of their offered-to-everyone collection!

I love a realistic green fragrance, and this really worked for me. I reach for Mosaic in the highest heat of summer and the deepest, darkest parts of winter, and each time it drops me into a scene where I'm standing under the eaves of an ancient stone house, watching tiny rivers of rainwater form on a flagstone path before flooding stone-lined pools. Greenery is all around- the leaves are fresh and young, there's damp moss underfoot, and under it all, there's the scent of rainwater washing old stones. It's so beautifully refreshing and very photorealistic. I'm going to treasure my 10mL vial and save it for when I need a hit of cool, watery green. One of my very favorite IA fragrances for sure! I'd say longevity is about 6-7 hours and projection is moderate for the first couple hours, then closer for the rest of the wear. Oh- I'd also recommend layering it with Tiziana Terrenzi's Cassiopea. Very, very summery!

this was the first fragrance i ever sought out on a mission to find a particular scent. i was looking for that rain on pavement or after the rain feel. i found Mosaic and tom ford's grey vetiver. Both fulfilled the brief, but I much prefer Mosaic due to it's delicacy, and the sense that the shape of the world the rain reflected off of was more mysterious. Grey vetiver smells like a rumbling city of sensory overload blurred by the thrum of rain. Mosaic is different, it's an ancient weathered stone structure carved by rivulets of trickling rain, thirsty roots mirroring their patterns. Noone is there, it remains hidden, untouched by the world, draped in a misty mountain jungle. 8.7/10

Mosaic is quite light-hearted and easy to wear. I could see this being a crowd-pleaser, due to its inoffensive nature. Kind of reminds me of White Pepper Mandarin by Note Fragrances (at least in the beginning when it is still harsh). However it tones down and becomes sweet and light. I really do like this one, even if it is not one of the best in IA, as it does not feel as deep or unique. It is just an easy fragrance that is very unisex and versatile in terms of where you can wear this (dressed up or down). Best suited for spring and summer. Do check it out, I think it will surprise you in a good way.

opening minute or so is a like harsh public restroom cleaning chemicals, but it settles down to a bitter petitgrain and oakmoss with fresh bergamot that really does evoke the fragrance of wet limestone. It's a unique fresh scent in that its simultaneously minerally and not quite as sweet as freshies tend to be. Good for outdoorsy situations in warmer climes. One of my faves from the house. 8.5/10.