Brief reviews of two 2013 fragrances: Penhaligon’s Vaara and Givenchy Dahlia Noir L’Eau.
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Penhaligon’s Vaara
Penhaligon’s new Vaara has a great backstory: it was a private commission by His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh II for his granddaughter Vaara. Perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour reportedly traveled through India looking for the perfect ingredients “to create a scent fit for royalty”. Of course, he’s already done much the same — albeit probably without leaving home — for the four India-inspired fragrances he created for Neela Vermeire Créations (Trayee, Mohur, Bombay Bling and Ashoka), but Vaara stays squarely in what I think of as Penhaligon’s territory…