Malia

The concept dates back to the late XVI Century, in a small town in southern Piedmont, where Church power had reached its peak and any violation of behaviour or established rules was seen with little tolerance. A girl of extraordinary beauty had been chosen because of her rebellious temperament, her lack of regard for public opinion, her curiosity about the world, and her self-confidence, which attracts and frightens. The purifying stake awaited her and the paradox is that the only person capable of showing any pity was her executioner, by giving her a substance that left her unconscious at the crucial moment. The fragrance of Malia, which in Italian means magic or charm, was created by Antonio Alessandria, the same Italian perfumer behind the success of Rudis (that won the Russian FIFI Awards). Following the concept, he imagined the fragrance of a modern and innocent witch, a woman who seduces with a bright smile, who pretends to be a child, but who draws strength from the earth to stun its prey. For this, he chose an unusual flower with a double nature: refreshing, but sweet; delicate, but intoxicating: the osmanthus flower. Its absolute is very used in High Perfumery because it gives very vivid nuances of apricot. When used in more commercial perfumery, it is often exploited to impart fruity nuances (apricots and plums), and sometimes its leathery facets are exploited. Malia has notes of mandarin, velvety fruity notes, pink pepper and marjoram at the output. This accord was created to result in a narcotic effect. Then, the body carries notes of osmanthus, rose, tobacco flower and black pepper. Finally, the base includes vetiver, patchouli, benzoin, oakmoss and musky notes. On the skin, the fragrance of Malia is a true spell. It had everything to be extremely feminine, but the floral and fruity side merges with the spicy peppers and the bitterness of the marjoram, resulting in something confusing and addictive. The rose was worked in the background as the link between the top and bottom of the composition. Tobacco blossom, benzoin and patchouli appear to form a sweeter, almost resinous paste, like those used for incense in the Middle East. Then, the oakmoss brings the indescribable sensation of something moist over a very prominent musk, of those who scream for cleanliness and make us think of shampoo. I have not yet learned to decipher Malia! It is like a pie, whose batter was made with the base notes, denser and darker, and the filling was made with fresh apricots, dipped in musk and seasoned with peppers for simmering over low heat, instead of the cloves we usually put in jams or jellies. It is sweet and bitter at the same time. It gives contrast to the palate, but its scent is divine! On my skin, Malia projects from yards away, leaving a ruthless trail and its lasting is incredible. Another positive point, when dealing with a niche perfumery segment, is the uniqueness. I do not remember feeling similar fragrance until the present moment. I am under a spell!

Such a weird perfume, I’ve never had anything like that! Very mystical indeed. It’s bright, spicy and fresh, and underneath all that spiciness there’s softness and sexiness. I don’t understand it at all, it’s changing all the time. It’s like you see an old witch in a black costume walking towards you. Her head is covered with a hood, you can’t see her face but you’re a bit scared. These are the spicy notes of the peppers, tobacco flower and marjoram. And then deep under that hood you can see the sparkles of her beautiful big eyes. You’re terrified but can’t look away, they’re calling you. These are the sweetness of flowers and fruits, musk and patchouli. This witch is scary yet mesmerizing. I don’t understand this perfume but I can’t stop using it.

This is absolutely my favorite perfume ever. For me, it sits somewhere between several notes that I really like: Spicy, peppery, creamy, fruity, musky, flowery, but never too much of any one thing. It's sensual and delcious, defiant and humorous. It's not like anything else. An Enigma, but not even anyone's idea of an Enigma, that's what an Enigma that it is. There's something that smells similar to hot spiced wine about it. But maybe with a little honey poured in. And drinking that wine out of a pewter mug, next to a coal fire in the cellar of a 14th Century Italian Church. At night. When it's raining outside. In the actual 14th Century.

Big love. It’s truly unique and approachable, not “strange” or hard to wear at all. It has the fruity type notes of Erba Pura/Kirke/Amber Oud Gold but toned down a bit and adds a some indolic florals. But then they cut those saccharine notes with earthy herbs and moss and bright pepper then harmonized with earthy sweet patchouli and resins. With my bottle I get much more tobacco blossom, rose, and musk then is reflected in how others rank those notes. Long lasting with mid projection, thankfully not overwhelming “beast mode” nonsense. Completely unisex despite what the reviews say.

Wow this is just gorgous!! I never thought floral could make a sweet notes! To me this is love at first sight. (Edit 13th Feb 2016) Damn it, i really loved this one, it's like the fresh floral fruits with white linen SMACKED with dusty tobacco that makes me cough a bit but the floral fruits are holding the tobacco back and winning the scene. There is truly peppers, oakmoss, oranges, and some patchouli but none is showed clearly here as the main spotlight is on the folrals, fruits, and the tobaccos. Geniusly done and superbly captivating.