Prada has launched three more fragrances in their Exclusive series, which can be found at Prada boutiques and selected department stores. Reportedly the recent releases, No. 8 Opoponax, No. 9 Benjoin and No. 10 Myrrhe, will be the last in the series.
No. 8 Opoponax ~ “a soft touch of bergamot refreshes the warm blend of oppoponax in essence as well as in resinoide, cistus, santal and amber.”
No. 9 Benjoin ~ “the bitter orange tree (bigaradier) allies with the resinous sweet balsamic scent of benzoin enhanced by vanilla and musk.”
No. 10 Myrrhe ~ “a surprising combination of fresh citrussy bergamot and cedrat from Italy, with aromatic lavender, and charismatic patchouli and myrrh.”
And since I’ve never posted them, here are the descriptions of the first seven in the series:
No. 1 Iris ~ “Mysterious yet fresh, No.1 blends its focal ingredient, Iris, with neroli and musk mallow, orange, vetiver, sandalwood, myrrh, incense, coumarin, and musk.”
No. 2 Oeillet ~ “Floral with a subtle veil of spice, No.2 combines its base note, carnation, with clove, may rose absolute, iris absolute, vetiver, heliotrope, coumarin, sandalwood, patchouli, and musk.”
No. 3 Cuir Ambre ~ “Earthy and sensual, No.3 is a blend of cuir de russie, amber neroli, cilantro, cinnamon, clove, musk mallow, carnation, rose, jasmin absolute, iris absolute, sandalwood, oakmoss, heliotrope, vanilla absolute, and patchouli.”
No. 4 Fleur d’Oranger ~ “Warm but with a sparkling essence, No.4 blends orange blossom, lily of the valley, rose, jasmin sambac, tuberose absolute, sandalwood, myrrh, patchouli, vanilla, coumarin, and musk.”
No. 5 Narciso ~ “combines its key ingredient with bergamot essence, orange blossom, bee’s wax absolute, vetiver essence, and musk.”
No. 6 Tubereuse ~ “The key essence, tuberose, is made richer and more complex with the added combination of other classic ingredients, including neroli, rose/violet accord, mate absolute, and musk.”
No. 7 Violette ~ “introduces a fresh interpretation of the traditional violet scent in combination with galbanum essence, may rose absolute, cassis absolute, iris absolute, and leather accord.”
The fragrances are available now at Prada boutiques and selected department stores, including Liberty of London. I can’t remember if any US department stores carry them, if you know, please comment! (via liberty.co.uk)
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R, they're also sold in Harrods and Selfridges. I caved on Opoponax, which smells like suede to me in the drydown. The Benjoin was lighter and sweeter than the other two, with musk predominant. I was pleased to find I could now buy these without the leather case – that used to make these £130, rather than £103.
So 3 department stores in London! I could be wrong, but really don't think they are that easy to find even in NY. The Prada boutique in Soho has them, and *maybe* they're at Bergdorf Goodman, but I'll be surprised if they're anywhere else.
And adding — I tried them when there were only the 1st four, and they hadn't come up with the leather case yet. They were expensive but not outrageous. No idea what they charge here now.
Sigh. It is easier to imagine some things as simply unavailable to me.
You know, I know lots of people rave about this collection but I didn't think the first 4 were all that and a bag of chips. The iris is really nice, but even that one I didn't feel like I needed to own.
Sweet Jebus! I'll short-circuit my keyboard if I keep drooling like this…
I desperately covet these. Badly. All of them.
Yes, Bergdorf Goodman carries them. I *almost* caved on the Oeillet at Sniffa, but sleep deprivation and sensory overload got the best of me and I didn't do it. Still flogging myself over that. A friend bought the Iris, and it is exquisite… and I don't even really like iris that much.
M, thank you so much — I thought BG might have them but couldn't remember. I haven't been there in ages! I don't suppose you happen to remember what they cost?
$150, IIRC. Not ludicrous.
Are you sure they're at BG ?
At Sniffa, they only had 1-4.
They didn't know when they were getting any others…
$150.00 / oz. is the going rate for perfum, pretty much.
Not horrendous- I found the Cuir Ambre definitely worth it- and have the Oeillet and Fleur D'Oranger- though I think CA is the tops.
Plus the Prada boutique in Old Bond Street – forgot about that!
BG may not carry them all. You're right, I remember the first 4 there. Guess I presumed they would have the others at some point, but perhaps not…
I have the Oeillet, which I really like, and I'm constantly tempted by the CA. There's something about these that does well on my skin.
M & C, still, mostly was asking who had the line, since for a long time you could only get it at Prada. $150 is not bad these days, I agree.
The last time I went to the Prada boutique — probably in 2005 or 2006 — they didn't even have them on display, and when I asked to smell them, someone fetched the testers from a storage closet. LOL!
I wish I could remember Oeillet better. On the other hand, maybe best not to remember, right?
Oeillet jumps out at me because I have a serious carnation lemming lately, but thankfully, none of my cravings tempt me to drop $150 at a pop. I'll probably end up with Ava Luxe Red Carnation or Comme des Garcons. I seriously want a sample of the new Montale Aoud Oeillet d'Inde, though. I think I'll be on my way to TPC soon.
Gosh, I cannot keep up with those darn Montales — and I guess I've given up on trying. Do let me know if it's any good!
“none of my cravings tempt me to drop $150 at a pop”
You are a wise man, Joe! With as weak as the dollar is against the euro, I begin thinking $150 is not unreasonable… until I consider how many other things it could buy, like about 5 tanks of gas for my car.
How is Ava Luxe's Red Carnation? And is she selling again? The fragrance part of her Etsy shop has been closed for a couple of weeks…
Would Prada do samples of these?
Another multi-bottle launch that I won't be able to keep up with! That Iris sounds amazing. *sigh*
Robin, what do you think the number of releases in 2008 is up to already? 300? 500? I can't take it.
I seriously doubt it.
I meant to do a real count for 2007, but gave up. A reader kept a log of the new releases she knew about, and IIRC her count for 2007 was over 1200.
This spring has been REALLY busy — I can't see how the Michael Edwards “official count” isn't going to be close to 1000.
MW, I know I always talk about The Perfumed Court (and I am not affiliated with them in any way, just a happy customer), but they do ship internationally, and their shipping is not unreasonable. I would check them out for things you want to sample.
How's your weather over there?
I tried the Iris at Sniff, and now I want this so badly. It was buttery, if that makes sense. The smell of it haunts me. I have to find it!
Thank you E. will check it out then.
The weather is very sunny and then clouds drift over again, it's warm and then cooler with a few raindrops and then warm again. Too warm for a coat and then too fresh to be without a coat.
How is the weather over there where you live??
Molly: I'm trying to keep my perfume spending under $200/month, so I like to maximize what I can get… be it decants or used half-bottles or whatnot.
I had forgotten about my sample of Ava Luxe's Red Carnation until the other day and ended up wearing and liking it. She's still selling but mentioned she's taking a short break; she's so gracious about mixing up orders for previous customers upon request. I loved browsing all her offerings on her old site when she had it up. I also just got a good deal on a large decant of CdG Red Carnation, so I think I might be set for now … at least for that particular note.
Ok, you're convincing me I need to revisit…
Dang – neither the Prada boutique or the department stores here in Sydney have these.
Drat! Surprised the Prada boutique doesn't have them.