Indie perfume house Dawn Spencer Hurwitz has launched Je Suis La Lune, Paper White, Rain, Maui, Taj Garden, Summer Cologne, Lis Oriental, Figue Interdite, Eau Cerise and Bakul Medjool. (Also new for 2018 is Shimotsuki, which Jessica has already reviewed).*

Je Suis La Lune {I am the Moon ; a jasmine perfume} ~ "Je Suis La Lune is our Nocturne no.1; an ode to the Moon, and it’s glorious, celestial beauty. The Moon has inspired artists, musicians, poets, and philosophers for centuries…and for me, it’s luminous glow, like a silvery pearl in the night sky has been ever fascinating. The Celtic festival, Imbolc, celebrating the first renewal of the earth in Spring has for it’s symbols, sheeps milk, and jasmine. These influences found their way into the design of Je Suis La Lune, with it’s milky loveliness."

Paper • White {a paper narcissus perfume} ~ "A wonderfully talented *perfume friend began creating paper flowers so lovely that they could take your breathe away. It was then I saw it: the paper narcissus. The Paper White. This fragrance is a bit of a play on words as the colloquial name for narcissus papyraceus is Paper White. I love the scent of narcissus. I love the smell of high quality paper. It seemed like the perfect symmetry of players… so fun, whimsical, and yes, modern. So, here you have it: a modern spring floral chypre with a fascinating paper note and a focus on narcissus flower."

Rain ~ "Rain: one of the all time classic scents from the underground oil revolution that took place in the early 1970’s… it’s still a favorite today. Our rendition created for Dawn Perfumes leans a bit more etheric, a touch softer and fresher than the original design {which is more musky}. It’s still just as pretty and wearable as ever. {We can see why you’ve come to love this scent so}."

Maui {a tropical coconut/sandalwood scent – the retrograde files} ~ "Here is the most perfect candidate for the retrograde files yet: a creamy coconut scent just in time for Summer! But here’s what makes this more than just a relaunch: it’s a re-imagining of the fragrance as seen through the lens of magical new materials that weren’t available when the first design was released in 2001. Maui was always delicious, but now it is in every way worthy of it’s namesake island. We’ve added glorious Hawaiian sandalwood as well as an utterly exotic natural coconut pulp co2 to make Maui stupendously creamy while giving it a sheer, breezy, tropical feel that is like lying in a hammock listening to the ocean waves. A soft, blond wood accord in the base keeps Maui from going “pina colada” sweet, making it the perfect summer scent for both men and women alike."

Taj Garden ~ "The lush Indian warmth and humidity are juxtapose cool green accents, along with the undeniably happy fragrance of ripe mandarin. “This garden, filled with flowers, fruits, birds, leaves, symmetry, and delicacy, served many functions along with portraying strong symbolic or abstract meanings about paradise….”*, true luxury, beauty, and grace. Our Taj Garden fragrance brings this glorious beauty to you in scented form. Far from being so grand in its design that it feels out of reach; Taj Garden is one of the most welcoming, uplifting, and friendly perfumes we’ve ever created. It is a bit of paradise to take with you and adorn yourself with every day."

Summer Cologne {a green tomato perfume} ~ "Just in time for the dog days of Summer: an all-botanical eau fraiche style fragrance picked fresh from my garden. Summer Cologne is more than just a light scent to wear when it’s hot… It’s refreshing, true, with bright citrus notes mixed with green tomato leaves. But the heart of sultry flowers and base of mineral earth gives an elegant impression both slightly bitter melded with sweet; piquant with fresh, and savory. For me, it’s the perfect garden delight."

Lis Oriental {Eastern Lily} ~ "Somewhere between the Stargazer and the pure white lilies, Madonna Lily and Casablanca, you will find my fantasy, “Lis Oriental”. I’ve dreamt for many years about designing a true lily perfume using only botanical materials but I had been able to assemble the perfect materials to construct it until now. It’s truly exciting present something so new, but so known and beloved, too; a rare spiced lily that exists in a gloriously fragrant jungle. The humidity brings out the lush sensuality in the bloom but it never crosses over into the land of the cloying and chokingly sweet as some lilies can. The greenness of the surrounding foliage is apparent as the fragrance opens and is the perfect counterbalance to spice, and the pure lily trumpet. Finally you rest upon the palm fronds and soft woods of the jungle floor. No decay, just a sweet and mellow pillow to rest your head and continue dreaming."

Figue Interdite :: Les Fruits Défendus vol.1 ~ "There are wonderful textural delights to be had as well as gloriously original aromas when cozying up to a fig tree; a slightly rough but fuzzy skin to the bark, leaves, and even the fruit that is vaguely reminiscent of skin juxtapose a silky sweet and milky caress found in the supple fruit and sap. The prodigious fruit, with that characteristic shape, adds to the reflections on sex and reproduction; as well as sustenance, fulfillment, and pleasure. The challenge to create an all-botanical fig fragrance that encapsulates the concepts inherent in “The Forbidden Fruit” series was great… and delightful. With Figue Interdite, I felt I wanted everything present: the tree, the leaves, and the glorious fruit, filled with sensuous beauty and a rare exoticism. For me it’s an elixir that’s sexy, vibrant, and ever whispering the secrets of the Ancients."

Eau Cerise :: Les Fruits Défendus vol.1 ~ "When I first began designing perfume I came to conclusion very early on that there was one perfume I would not make, and that was a cherry perfume. To me it was not perfume… it was completely too sweet and syrupy in the worst way, and I refused. But things change, and materials arrive that can change your mind, too. Then I began delving into the concept of “Les Fruits Defendus”, and exploring the idea of ‘cherry’ came right to the fore in terms of inspiration. From the Garden of Eden onward, it seems, cherries have been associated with youth (and virginity), and the loss of innocence. Sex and indulgence came up again and again while I was researching the lore and mythology of cherries. Oh what symbolism: this I had to create. (And I have to admit, that I just love fresh, ripe cherries! There’s nothing quite like the sensation and scent of black cherries in summer). What developed was a wonderfully rich and sensual, but not at all childish, true cherry floriental. I have to admit it that its just so pretty. I never dreamed that I could love a cherry perfume this much!"

Bakul Medjool :: Les Fruits Défendus vol.1 ~ "The challenge that presented itself when considering how to present a date-centric botanical perfume was what to pair it with to keep it from getting too sweet to bear and to make it more interesting than just a sweet fruit scent. Incense seemed natural, and then I found Bakul attar (from India) which added the right amount of exoticism and richness to make the whole design work. What became Bakul Medjool is sweet, smoky, rich and sensual with just a bit of the scandalous."

Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Je Suis La Lune, Paper White, Rain, Maui, Taj Garden, Summer Cologne, Lis Oriental, Figue Interdite, Eau Cerise and Bakul Medjool are available in a variety of sizes and formats, for more information see the website.

(via dshperfumes)

* Please note that she did not release these all at once, I am just behind.

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