Shall we start violets a week early with Mona di Orio Violette Fumee? Yes, let’s! I hadn’t planned on doing Violette Fumee separately, but Luckyscent tucked in a couple of samples with my last order at my request, and I dabbed some on, went crazy over it, then dumped both samples into a sprayer to get the full effect, and I’ve worn nothing else (minimal clothing during menopause hot flash time – this should save on my heating bill this winter) since.
Mona di Orio Violette Fumee was created for her partner, who still guides her company, Jeroen Oude Sogtoen, as his personal scent. Notes of Lavender, Bergamot, Oakmoss, Violet flowers and leaves, Turkish Rose, Vetiver, Clary Sage, Opoponax, Myrrh, Cashmeran go into Mona di Orio Violette Fumee, but it is so much more than its notes. It opens with a rush of violet flowers, bergamot, lavender and myrrh, which is just weirdly wonderful, if you know what I mean. There are moments early on that remind me very much of her original scents, like Nuit Noire, a slight dirty aspect, that makes me think of violet-scented-lightly-used-before-getting-ripped-off underthings. The Nuit Noire carnal shadow fades into the background and the smoky vetiver and weird clary sage rolls in maybe 30 minutes in.
All that weirdness is foreplay for The Big Show – smoke, violets, incense, and fulfilled violet dreams. The vetiver starts chuffing along with the incense, creating puffs of creamy smoke. Yeah, I know, that’s a weird way to think of it, but that’s how I smell it. Mona di Orio’s website mentions pipe tobacco, but it’s not listed as a note. Doesn’t matter, they’ve got some tobacco or tobacco-like smell stuffed up in this perfume’s little pedigree. While it is smoking violets, it is so delicate, like the most ethereal smoke is sitting under the little violets and blowing up, releasing the slightly sweet violet with the smoke.
Then we go into the last stage, the most addicting, as the cashmeran and incense turn this into a silky little violet that’s a little gourmand in feel, but not really sweet, just rich. While I love everything start to finish, it is the drydown that turns this into one of my favorite violet scents. For a violet perfume lover, that’s saying a lot. Musette and I were yakking about this on the phone – she has’n’t smelled it yet – and I told her that as a violet fan, I don’t want to smell another violet soliflore. They’re pretty, but there really isn’t anything new. But creating a smoky violet? I had no idea there should be one or how much I would fall in love with it once it existed. Very unisex, and the longevity is a good 8-12 hours.
Of course we will do a giveaway! I’ll do it a little differently this time with a bigger sample. I’ll give away 2 ml sprays to two lucky commenters drawn at random. So violet, yes or no? Old fashioned, old-lady perfume? Can an old flower learn new tricks? Favorite Mona? Heck, tell me if you’re dressing up for Halloween and as what if you have no thoughts on the other questions!
Oh, my comment seems to have disappeared… But never my love for Violets.
The ability to describe scents . . . heck, the ability to SMELL these nuances! I’m not sure which is more enjoyable: the words or the perfumes.
I received this sample today. I love violet scents and the thought of a smoky violet was eagerly anticipated. I was so disapointed when I first put it on, it was just for lack of a better term “weird.” a few minutes later it dried down to an absolutely intoxicating mix of fresh violet flowers, green stems, and a smoky, powdery cashmere. I cannot stop smelling myself-this is gorgeous, sophisticated, elegant. It is definitely a fall scent. I will be getting a bottle when I am in Amsterdam next may, the boutiques have different sizes. I hope I don’t pine away longing for this beauty until then…
Violet–great big yes!
dressing up–no! (giving out candy–yes!)
Have never tried a Mona di Orio, this one along with Vanille, Musc, and Oud would be my top picks for most likely favorite. But you never know until you try…please count me in!
Thank you, Patty, for your fun and informative post! And for the opportunity to be entered in the drawing!
I have always loved violet scents, and have worn Violetta di Parma for years. It got a bit powdery for my tastes, so I’d be thrilled to get the chance to try smokey violet! Sounds fantastic!!
I’d love to try this – not just because it sounds fabulous, but because I’ve never experienced a violet scent! (Or anything by Mona di Orio, for that matter.)
Erm, that puts me out of the running for commenting knowledgeably on the topic, doesn’t it… 😉
Halloween! No plans for this year, sadly, but last year I wore a gorilla mask that had little 3D cutouts of Fay Wray sproinging out of the top.
This is one of the only releases in a few years that I am DYING to try . My favorite Mona is Carnation , which she sprayed on my arm in NYC while she described it to me in broken English . 12 hours later it was still fabulous . Thanks for the draw Patty !
THIS I want! As a child I would pick greedy bouquets,not as greedy now but still a thrlll. Was jealous of neighbors with violet lawns. I’ve tried a few times to create my own fragrance. I now leave this to professionals.
Here is what Mark Twain (yes,Mark Twain) had to say about violets: “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that crushed it.”
Wow this scent sounds amazing! Id love to try it.
the mention that it includes Incense too, with the Smoke & Violet, is what is grabbing me, plus the weird clary sage part, sounds like something I want to sniff!
I love violet by means of Balenciagia Paris, YSL Paris, Violet Blonde, Shalimar Initial…need I say more? This new one sounds captivating. I would love to try it.
I’ve never been drawn to violets but your description has me curious to try this. If I’m not too late, I’d love to be in the draw. Thanks for the opportunity!
I had never been drawn to violets before I recently smelled Exultat by Maria Candida Gentile. Then I fell very hard. Your description of this smoky leathery violet has me drooling. If I am not too late, I would love to enter in the draw!
I like violet scents, but I am wild about smokey scents….sounds fascinating, and I have never tried Mons diO perfumes (yet)
Violets YES ! Who cares if they’re old fashioned? My favorite
Since it is going to be Halloween, I picture Edgar Allan Poe getting misty eyed if a woman came into his orbit wearing this! His mother was known to wear orris root and, of course, died young. Something about the smoke and violet screams 19th century, doomed but loving young stage actress and mother to the young Edgar.
This sounds fabulous!
My mother had wallpaper patterned with violets in her bedroom, and a metallic lavender-colored Oldsmobile in the 60’s. (Yes, they really had that color one year so she had to have it.) As a guy I’m intrigued by this fragrance created with a man in mind.
What a great review. I love violet & some of my all time favs is YSL Paris and Après L’Ondee and anxious to try this one by Mona Di Oro – I have not tried any of hers yet. Besides, I will soon have my new custom made perfume cabinet and it would have a good home. I can’t wait to try a “smokey ” violet.
Violet + (anything) is always worth a try. I love Lolita Lempicka for the violet + licorice. Smoke-n-violets (smokin’ violets!?) sounds hot! I’ve never tried Mona di Orio but would love to. Not sure if it’s available in Australia, so three cheers for online shopping.
I love violet too. Old-lady? Of course not–what was once old is new again. Like when my parents didn’t like my choice of baby names because ‘Sophie’ was an old lady name!
I love violets in real life, but nothing I’ve smelled does it for me. I’m intrigued, & can’t wait to try it!
I have to smell this…I like Violet, but had dismissed it because it seems a bit old fashioned to me. But with smoke and incense? I have to smell this…
I love violet done right! A favorite is Stephen Jones. And Mona di Orio has some beauties: love the discontinued Lux and hope it may be re-released! Thanks for the draw!
I do not think of violet as an “old lady scent!” I love violet, and oh, my, have I been wanting to sample Mona D’Orio’s take on it. Sounds divine!!! I love SL Bois du Violette, CB I Hate Perfume’s Violet Empire, and I really adore mixing his two accords, smoky tobacco and wild violet, together. That is my fave, so I presume I will LOVE the D’Orio!! Thanks for the great draw!
When I was little and looking at perfume counters, the “classics” like Chanel were all behind elegant but quite intimidating glass doors and you had to ask the assistants if you wanted to try them. Yardley’s lavender and Devon Violets were on the shelf where everyone could treat themselves and the scent of them makes me think of women of my mother and grandmother’s generation in good feminine form! Great that Mona di Orio has mixed this up a little and left this smoky, violet legacy that you describe so well….
I’ve been really wanting to try this. I was waiting for some reviews before I purchased a sample. After yours I’ve got to get my hands on one. I like Mona’s Carnation & am looking forward to being able to get a bottle of that & possibly Lux next year (I think they’re both scheduled for re-release).
SMOKY VIOLETS – ohhhhh, however did you know that is what I wanted? *I* didn’t even know! Perfect! As it happens, I am at this moment wearing my favorite violet, SL Bois de Violette. Mmmmm, so delicious. I have samples of Attrape Coeur and Apres l’Ondee, but on me they are a bit insipid 🙁 so I am hoping to find this one suits my skin better. Thanks for the great review and the draw!
I’ve been looking for the right violet fragrance for a while. So many veer into candied violets, which tends to give me a headache. This one sounds right up my alley–I love almost anything with vetiver and/or incense!
My favorite floral note is violet. I started with Violetta di Parma, and it is very nice but a little simple. I’ve read good things about Paco Rabanne Ultraviolet- that its affordable but kind of complex and good for everyday but not shy. Recently, I read a book series that takes place in a steampunk 1800s London, and every main female character had a specific fragrance. The main character used cinnamon, another, a mechanic, smelled like vanilla and motor oil. I imagined I’d like something along the lines of lilac or another purple flower and smoke, but I’ve never smelled anything like it in real life. Maybe now I can!
I discovered that I actually like violet, vetiver, and bergamot notes in my pe. rfume. I love Dior Homme so much. I wonder if this one smells similar to it
I love violets, and I’m dying to try this now!
Wow! Now I really want to smell smoky violets!
LOVE violets, period!! All flowers are timeless in my books! Bosari, Devon, Toulous `s are classics for little mula 🙂 in those Victorian bottles!! We are lucky to get half a dozen treaters here – all go to the mall!!
Sounds luscious! Count me in for the giveaway!
Looooooooooooooove, Violets
I do like Balenciaga very much. For Halloween my department at work is dressing as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. I’m Dopey!
Have not explored violet as a note, but am excited about anything described as smoky!
I love the sound of this one; hope to experience it
Sounds magical! I grew up smelling violet on my mother (who was French), and I too and im love with violet. This one is a must try … sounds very special.
I recently fell deeply in love with alll things violet, candies, perfume and the flower herself. I’m not an old lady, so it must not be old-ladyish. Can’t wait to try this scent! TFS
Ooh, this sounds amazing! I wore a lot of violets in the 80s as a teenager but I’d quite like to sample a more modern take on violets. I can’t get enough incense, so Violette Fumee sounds like a winner.
Violet lover here, too! Most recently, I’ve become smitten with the violet note in Orchidee Vanille. This MdO sounds amazing!
Very intriguing – I am a fan of violet – one of the reasons I’m drawn to such scents as Lolita Lempicka. There is something sweet but mysterious about it and well yes seductive. I recently bought some items from L’Occitane en Provence’s new shea butter scents – of course violet – lip balm and hand cream and they are positively addictive – I find myself just wanting to smell my hands and lick my lips.
This sounds so good! I have mixed feelings about violet perfumes (love some, hate some!) but would love to try this. Thanks for the giveaway!
One of the sexiest scents I know is a violet – Lipstick Rose.
Violet–yes! Smoke? Yes! So yes to both together. I have always loved violet and feel it is a much under-appreciated scent. So, so very tired of that “old lady” cliche. A favorite violet perfume is Jolie Madame; violet and leather.
How “old” is old lady? Because of this review I now have a strong desire to add this perfume to my scent memory. I hope I get that carrot, I mean Mona di Orio Violette Fumee.
Not really a violet person, but if there is incense in it…ahhhh. Every permutation of incense intrigues me. I love smelling like I just walked out of high mass.
If violet is an “old lady” scent, then I suppose I will be scented like an old lady at Holy Cross m
Oh that even sounds good!
Never thought I would hear of a violet scent that I would want to try!