For the perfume world it was in 1993 when Miyake, an exceptional Japanese personality, who title himself as an artist not a designer, what he i.a. actually is, launched this fresh-flowery fragrance, which was so different as everything else untill then. It became a classic and won several awards since then.
For me it was somewhen in the late 90ies, when I discovered L'Eau d'Issey. Actually I do not remember exactly when it was, the important thing for me is, its beauty and importance is still the same as back then.
Even now when I am writing about it, I have the smell in my nose! Or is it my head? Where do we memorize scents? I have read so many times that it is not possible to memorize smells and here I disagree completetly, at least for myself.
Top Notes: Lotus, Freesia, Cyclamen, Rose Water
Heart Notes: Carnation, White Lilies, Fresh Peonies
Base Notes: Musk, Amberseed, Tuberose, Osmanthos, Sandlewood, Cedarwood
Obviously it is a very complex fragrance and so it is full of contrast as well. On one hand it is an aquatic scent, on the other flowery. It is completely fresh but also woody. But woody as nothing else comparable, because all the warmth of the woods is cooling given to the aquatic dominance.
I have read many reviews on L'Eau d'Issey and it is amazing how different the impressions are. The descriptions are going from finding it from too powerfull to almost too weak, oriental?, too aquatic even reminding of funeral wreath?. The funeral wreath as a description made me confused, it sounds so sad and I disagree, but have to admit there is something melancholic about this scent. But melancholie doesn't have to be sad necessarily?!
Considering that this is a scent which depends on skin chemistry like no other, not everyone has the luck to get the gorgeousness of it.
For myself L'Eau d'Issey activates several feelings and pictures. There is this natural beauteosness reminding me of beautifull, exotic watterfalls, then also there is the melancholy I mentioned but also a very powerfull feeling reminding me on the splashs while exercising during my swim practice.
Since today is the first really warm and sunny day here and a starting signal for my favorite season it is a good occasion to take a spray of L'Eau d'Issey, pack my picknick-blanket and go for some daydreaming of waterfalls and lotus flowers in the green countryside ;-)
Which perfume is your all-time love or activate special feelings?