NEST Fragrances Midnight Fleur Eau de Parfum

NEST Fine Fragrance Collection was inspired by 18th century artist Mary Delany (1700-1788), who at the age of 72, created a new art form: mixed media collage. I have to admit that I previously knew nothing about this artist, but was really quite enchanted when I saw what Mrs. Delany did-- for art and for botanical posterity.

So far, I have only tried Midnight Fleur out of the three that are available. The other fragrances in the collection are Passiflora and Amazon Lily, both created by Christophe Laudamiel. Midnight Fleur was created by Jerome Epinette.

You will hardly need me to point out that the packaging is sublime. The large EDP bottle is flask-shaped, powder-coated black glass with gorgeous artwork on one side and attractive minimalist lettering on the other. The housing for the body cream is a heavy jar with similar decoration. I will be shocked if this collection does not turn out to be massively popular for Holiday gifts. There is also an 8.5ml rollerball available in each scent, which is really wonderful (I wish more companies would offer small purse-sizes).

[left to right: Amazon Lily, Passiflora, Midnight Fleur]

Midnight Fleur EDP is a long-lingering, slightly sweet and powdery concoction of amber, lactonic woods, a touch of patchouli and musk. Vanilla orchid and night-blooming jasmine bring a soft roundness to the composition. I'm going to be leaning heavily on this perfume to help get me through cold winter nights ahead. A milky, ambery blanket covers all in this blend, and is accented by an acidic, floral zing that lasts until the final phase of wear. Midnight Fleur is an ideal warm and cozy fragrance that is particularly delightful when layered over the body cream. The cream is obscenely rich and decadent and the jar is just as gorgeous and substantially heavy as the flask bottles.

I am content to say that this scent is not edgy, it doesn't push boundaries or have crazy ad copy that leaves me incredulous. History is not being re-written here by people whose grasp of said history is tenuous at best. Midnight Fleur has the integrity of clearly and faithfully executed inspiration: that of the botanical renderings of Mrs Mary. Delany. The whole of this fragrance, including the bottle and packaging, defies the passage of time. It is something lovely to behold. sensual to experience wearing, and I find that my mind wants to linger on the theme. All the flowers and plants that make us fragrance-lovers so happy deserve to be immortalized in such a beautiful way.

NEST Fine Fragrances are available at Neiman Marcus in-store and online, Bergdorf Goodman in store and online, as well as select specialty boutiques nationwide. $115 for 3.3 oz bottle EDP, 8.5ml rollerball perfume is $30, and the luxury body cream is $50 for a 6.7 oz jar.

[samples provided by company for my consideration]