Category Archives: Journal

Violetta de Parma

Nose: Lodovico Bosari

From http://www.hundredscents.com:
“To the common mix of violet leaf, violet flower and orris, Borsari adds heliotrope, rose and vanilla; giving us a dry, simple violet scent.”

Year: 1870

This is a very light violet compared to many others. It’s literal, pungent green quality reminds me of Coty Muguet Des Bois. Actually…I do wonder if Bosari also added lily-of-the-valley because I’m pretty sure I smell that note and it’s also very commonly added to violet, it seems.

It’s very bright. Not particularly sweet. And again, very literal. It’s slightly reminiscent of sweet tarts.

My bottle is from the 1980’s.

English Violet EDP

Notes: Fragrantica has no listed notes.

Year: 1919

This is my signature fragrance. And that will never change. Unfortunately it was discontinued. Although Floris still sells a mouthwash.

The drydown is powdery. And honestly…not all that impressive. At least in this edp, which is likely from the 1970’s or so.

But even in the drydown you can still smell faint traces of haunting violet. And possibly wafts of something akin to freshly mowed lawn.

It’s the beginning that’s VIOLET.

I’ve smelled so many violet perfumes. So many. Recent ones, historic ones. And this is the violet I love most. It’s not overly soft or sweet. It’s sharp and green and clean and beautifully articulate, if a fragrance can be articulate. There’s a bit of powder but not much, relatively speaking. It’s…floral. You don’t have to wonder if it’s a violent perfume. Actually, it’s very of its time. A lot of other fragrances from the 1910’s smell like this. Some might call them linear, but to me they’re realistic and romantic and brave. To the point. Direct. And sometimes in a world of manipulation and deceit a straightforward fragrance is refreshing.