Velvet Iris by Dominique Ropion

Named after the winged messenger of the gods, the iris owes its name to the shape of its petals, which resemble delicate wings. But also because its scent, of extraordinary beauty, treasured since Antiquity, acts as a bridge between earth and sky.

At once powdery and woody, powerful and refined, its fragrance develops in the underground parts of the flower, the rhizomes, through an extraordinarily long process. After planting, the rhizomes must mature for three years to develop their fragrant molecules (the irones), and then age for another three years. Once dried and ground into powder, they are steam-distilled to produce a waxy, fatty material known as concrète. The resulting scent is complex: floral and powdery, with dry, woody root nuances and buttery, almost caramel-like undertones. The yield is extremely low : one ton of iris powder is needed to produce just two kilos of concrète.

A raw material so rare and precious, it is often stored in safes, waiting to be used in a perfume formula

It all begins with a breath of spicy freshness, rising like the majestic stem of the iris: pink pepper and turmeric leaf electrify buchu leaf with aromatic and herbaceous accents.

A bright opening that underlines the earthy and woody facets of the iris, the beating heart of the composition. Balanced by the crisp greenness of galbanum and lentisque, the precious iris concrete gradually warms on the skin, revealing more carnal inflections, both creamy and powdery.

Sensuality blooms ever so softly, brought to life by the drydown of Velvet Iris: a woven from the milky notes of sandalwood, the warmth of labdanum and the contemporary vibrations of SaffianoTM, an exclusive IFF molecule that combinesthe power of leather with the softness of suede.

A truly languorous experience, Velvet Iris reveals its powerful yet caressingly soft signature when worn. A hypnotic trail, elegant and infinitely carnal.