Aftelier Parfum Prive: a siren song

Aftelier Perfumes Parfum Prive was created by Mandy Aftel for herself, but she was so pleased with the results that she felt the need to share it with the world. It's lucky for us that she did, because it's one of her most unique, memorable and stunning fragrances. As is the case with many of Mandy's perfumes, the interplay of opposites is what attracts; sharp against smooth, the creation of energy and then its release. There is also an otherworldliness here, it's your Planet Earth but better.

notes: bergamot, pink pepper CO2, orange flower absolute, osmanthus, pimento leaf, ambrette, ambergris

When I first apply Parfum Prive, the strangest thing happens: my mouth starts to water. It's not a gourmand fragrance, but some part of me wants to consume it anyway, as if inhaling its scent just isn't enough. As I breathe in, it's as if my nose, then throat, then chest expand and tingle with ecstatic anticipation. The spiciness of the pink pepper and pimento leaf are featured quite prominently, and are used to great effect in combination with the bergamot and orange flower absolute. After about 20 minutes, the spices calm down, and the essence of the sea emerges; intoxicating, salty and sweet... this, my friends, is real ambergris. It marries with osmanthus and ambrette seed so seamlessly, and then a tiny hint of coconut comes through. The scent creates vivid imagery in my mind of being shipwrecked somewhere exotic, with traces of flowers and softened, jammy fruits colliding with the breezes coming off of the water... even the sand is present with bits of seashells and pebbles that have been pummeled smooth by the moody sea.

Parfum Prive is haute perfumery at its best. It is a journey in a bottle for revelers to partake in, and also a perfect example of how artisanal excellence and a high taste level can be executed in a fragrance. It is pure, unadulterated luxury.

Consider all this; and then turn to this green, gentle and most docile earth; consider them both, the sea and the land; and do you not find a strange analogy to something in yourself?

-Herman Melville, Moby Dick

A 2ml mini bottle of Parfum Prive can be purchased from the Aftelier Perfumes website for $125, and the perfume solid version is $400 for 1/4 oz in a sterling silver container designed by Mandy herself. Samples are available in both forms for $20 each.

[Sample was sent to me for consideration by the perfumer. Product photos courtesy of Mandy Aftel]