Civet

An homage to the ingredient that gave that deliciously naughty, animalic note to the great elegant perfumes of the 30s and 40s, such as Rochas Femme and Schiaparelli Shocking, Civet is a gorgeous retro-style chypre. Civet’s zingy opening makes her seem like a modern gal, thanks to a vigorous citrus-pepper top note and herbal bite. Then, a plethora of heady floral notes swan in: heliotrope, linden, and hyacinth, creating a perfume of almost unbearable loveliness.

Civet could have stopped right there and remained breathtakingly pretty. But she has darker motives and starts to undress, revealing her voluptuousness with fleshy ylang ylang and tuberose. That animalic touch of those yesteryear beauties is there as you would expect, and gives Civet its low growl. But a slow-blooming, deep red carnation lends Civet its vintage charm. The spicy flower opens up in the middle stages, revealing a classically pretty bloom, creamy with hints of clove and green stem. When it finally stretches out on a gourmand bed of coffee, vanilla and incense, Civet purrs like a contented kitten.