Indie natural line Aftelier has launched Memento Mori, a new unisex fragrance.
A memento mori is designed to “remind the viewer [or wearer] of their mortality and the shortness and fragility of human life” (Tate Museum). Memento mori jewelry was known for its intimate workmanship, beautiful delicacy and close associations with eternal love and remembrance. Mourning jewelry was a way for the bereaved to hold on to the memory of a loved one who had passed away: a way of saying “gone but not lost” or “sacred to memory.” It brought comfort and consolation and was not morbid or ghoulish, but touching and loving.
This was a deeply personal perfume for me to create. Memento Mori is about the tender memories of the skin and body of someone with whom you have been intimate, and the ways that you treasure and long for that which you remember when they are lost to you. We want to hold the vanished beauty close even as we experience the piercing quality of memory.
I wanted to capture the musk-like smell of skin, using all naturals, which was quite a challenge. The wearer has the experience of the perfume changing on their skin, much as time changes memory. The carrier for the perfume is a blend of fractionated coconut oil and organic alcohol: to combine the lift of the alcohol with the tenderness of the oil. Butter, orris and beta-ionone with their skin-like flat but subtly floral aroma was the perfect entry into the perfume. Phyenylacetic acid combines the animalic with the floral. The rose notes are a soft and intimate bridge to the skin-like tones of the wood violet -- beta ionone -- and the rich but transparent patchouli isolate -- patchoulyl acetate. The luminescent texture of ambreine, civet and ambergris lends warm and sheer notes of musk that linger.
Aftelier Memento Mori is available in 30 ml Eau de Parfum ($180), or in 2 ml mini Parfum ($50), 1/4 oz Parfum ($180). Samples are also sold.
(via press release)
My excitement about Memento Mori is such that I ordered a sample almost immediately after getting an email about it last night. In my singular focus, I *even* managed not to order $100 worth of Chef’s Essences at the same time. Here’s hoping I finally find my smells-like-skin scent!
Good luck!
This sounds amazing…..I may need to get a sample of this myself.
I am looking forward to it.
The story behind this is just beautiful. She one perfumer I really look forward to seeing what she’ll put out next.
I don’t have a good association between mortality (death) and perfume. In fact, my early aversion to floral perfumes was due to being overwhelmed by a profusion of flowers at my paternal grandmother’s wake. As much as I admire Mandy’s genius, will proceed cautiously with this one.
I am so with you on this. I thought I didn’t like perfume for years because of the proximity of certain big white florals and the profusion of headache-engendering lilies at various close family members’ funerals.
Hajusuuri,
I grew up in a family funeral business. It taught me a lot about family dynamics at a tender age. it also taught me to steer clear of carnations, gladiolus, chrysanthemums, baby’s breath……oh the list goes on. Hence my love of incense, smoke, leather, tobacco.
My mother will be 95 and she has forbidden flowers at her own funeral!
I’m imagining you in a Six Feet Under series – I loved that series!