Hello Perfume Posse. Naja was released April last year in Milan at the big Esxence perfume fair. Fortunately I got to spend some time with Vero. Though we didn’t chat much about Naja itself we did talk about her dedication to being new and innovative. Her desire to create fragrances unparalleled in the world of fragrance that is currently obsessed with copycatting and derivation is brave. Also her search for quality. It was interesting hearing Neela chat with her at dinner, the first time they had real time to meet each other. They are both obsessed with making the best perfumes they know how. They strive to push as far forward fragrantly as they can. To give the buyer a piece of art that is multidimensional and beautiful.
Naja by Vero Kern for Vero Profumo 2017
Parfumo gives these featured accords:
Osmanthus absolute, Melon, Linden blossom, Tobacco
Acid green is one of my favourite colours. Vero has chosen it to represent Naja yet the bottle is black. Acid green and black, such a witches brew of colour. There has been much talk of snakes and cigarettes, Tabac Blond and Habanita being the inspiration for the fragrance and I can smell each reference but to me Naja is all about magic and the witches that brew it. (this could definitely have something to do with my current addiction to TVs GRIMM)
Naja opens ferociously green, like Granny Smith apples and honeydew melon fruit salad. As soon as you get your head around its acidic sweetness a leathery linden and thick pollen wash like a wave over the top engulfing and then slowly receding. We are caught in this briny fantasy for a while and it both glorious and weird, skirting the edges of too much but never quite pushing over the edge. The newness of Spring with underlays of bilge, flowers, leather, over ripe melon and also the cool wash of fresh sea water.
PDI
Vero has created something that smell quite different up close and at arms length. Under my norse the whole fragrance is a little overwhelming. Like a painting though should you give yourself half an arms length suddenly it becomes a wander through a linden grove by the sea shore of some fantasy island. A island of mystery and magic.
Further reading: Now Smell This and Megan In St Maxime
LuckyScent has $260/50ml
Have you dipped your toe in the Vero Profumo pool of fragrances?
Portia xx
Portia also writes for Australian Perfume Junkies.
Perhaps I shouldn’t write off this one. I love a number of bold, green scents. So if the tobacco note is not too strong I should at least test it.
What’s the worst thing that could happen if you buy a sample? You’ll hate it Ingeborg? I reckon it’s worth taking the chance for something this wonderful.
Portia xx
Yeah, you are right. Aus Liebe zum Duft has this one now, so unlike September/October last year this is now easily available for me to sample.
Wow, I’ve been dying to try this one, but this description makes me certain it’s not for me. I loathe Habanita, and am not fond of green fragrances. Nope, everyone else can have it; I’ll sit this one out.
As always Koyel,
Your mileage may vary.
Portia xx
That sounds wonderfully weird! I am intrigued.
Good place to be intrigued Mim.
Portia xx
I have tried all Vero’s perfumes only in the EdP concentrations and I like them being weird but wearable. By weird I mean different in a good way. They share the same DNA which is great because they carry Vero’s signature. I think you either like all of them or you don’t care for them. Rozy is really pretty but I like Rubj most of all because of its strange elegance and people always comment on it.
I’m aware that I must try the Extrait versions and of course I’m very curious about Naja. Will sample it asap.
Hi there Neva,
Yes, I think you’re right. Polarising fragrances. The signature you smell is Vero’s love to create beauty in fragrance. Not all beauty is easy.
Portia x
I am basically a vero fangirl, with Rozy EDP being one of my desert island scents. I own Mito, Rozy, Rubj and a decant of Naja.
Coincidentally, I am wearing Naja right now.
Portia – perhaps we are sharing a mental link ( be afraid !! )
TFK31,
If we are sharing a mental link then I’m pretty sure that I’m not the one who needs to be afraid. I’ve lived in this mind and it still manages to astound and freak me in equal measure.
Portia xx
this sounds amazing! I like a big’un, so it might be right up my alley! xoxo
Nope. Trust me on this one. ?
CQ, you know I’mo have to at least TRY, if only so I can say omg. Cookie Queen WARNED me – and I. Did. Not. Listen.
xoxoxo your hard-headed Musette 😉
Forsooth.
Beautifully written, Portia. Naja is my favourite Vero. I think Val’s idea to spray at a distance is a good one. It’s very dense otherwise.
The difference is astounding. It needs to breathe. Too much, too close, is not good. Too much, if you must, sprayed from a distance, is better. 🙂
Tara!
Thank you. When you like my writing I know I’ve done well.
I’m going to try this weird idea of underspritzing and see what happens.
Portia xx
I love and own full bottles of Rozy and Mito VDE, and Rubj EDP. Haven’t tried this one yet, but it sounds fascinating!
Fascinating is an excellent adjective for Naja Bastet,
It is.
Portia xx
My favorite Is Rozy, I’ve gone through several samples and a full bottle is on my wishlist. I’ve read an interview with Vero and she sounds like a wonderful lady and perfumer. You’re fortunate to have spent time with her. I need to sniff Naja!
Thank you for keeping me up to date with wonderful fragrances!
Kathleen,
Vero is unbelievably cool. So together and focused. I love spending time with her.
The fragrances reflect her singleness of purpose to create art.
Portia xx
Let me add a public service announcement here. NAJA is basically an extrait strength. Far be it from me to tell anyone how to spray it, but I strongly suggest from a distance and not too much. It makes a world of difference. Decant and dab is good too. ?
Ahh, Good advice Val.
Spray and walk through?
You know how I wear my extracts though, he he he.
Portia x
GO BIG OR GO HOME, BABY! right? xoxo
I have and love Onda, Rubj and Kiki extraits. I also own Naja (blind buy because I was in Canada when it was released and was afraid it would sell out before I got back to the US in the fall) but am not sure it’s me. I find it quite powdery and the linden is quite strong. Need to try it again, I love the bottle and concept but it’s difficult for me.
Hey TaraC,
Yeah, Vero loves to play with us through fragrance. It’s a challenging wear.
Portia xx
Tara,
If you decide it is not for you, please keep your fellow Canucks in mind?
I’d be happy to buy this off you.
Tena