Hey Posse. I spoke a few weeks ago about getting a large decant order from Surrender To Chance. A whole bunch of stuff that was either brand new to me or revisiting some things I’d tried and loved but never purchased. A couple I’m sure I loved but don’t want to lay down money for a full bottle till I’ve drained the decant. So, for about the price of a moderate niche bottle I have almost 20 decants to be going on with. I’ll let you know if any are ringing the bell. Today I thought we could start with one that caught my eye when it was released but as we have no Miller Harris retailer that I know of in Oz it was forgotten. When STC had Violet Ida as a recommendation it reminded me, so I pounced.
Violet Ida is such a good name. Truth be told though, it was that divine lilac bottle that had me from the get go. The company gives this blurb: “Violet Ida takes Ida Arnold as it’s muse, the big hearted heroine of Graham Greene’s Brighton Rock, who wears violets in her hair. Ida represents goodness, tenacity and morality in a world of desperate cruelty.” I think the world needs more Idas.
Violet Ida by Miller Harris 2019
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Carrot Seeds Bergamot
Heart: Iris Heliotrope
Base: Vanilla Liquidambar
OOOHHHH! Cool, rooty, carrot seed and iris open and are gone in the blink of an eye. WHY doesn’t this amazing entrée last a minute (or an hour) longer? It’s heavenly. Sadly we move on and the citrus becomes focus note for a short while. Then, creeping back in like a whipped dog I smell iris wrapped up in a musky, slightly sweetened pillow. It’s so pretty, and calm, and sleepy. A perfect representation of the lilac bottle. The heart keeps circling marshmallow but never quite gets there. The sweetness more nougat than sugar puff but it does do amazing things to the iris. Somehow it removes all bready, rooty, earthy coolness and while still retaining iris becomes this other cuddlesome, flannelette sheet-ish thing filled with the warm breath of humanity.
I’m not a HUGE iris fan and most of mine are on the cool side. Violet Ida is different. Not warm, and not terribly sweet but enough of both to make it poles apart from Iris Silver Mist, Impossible Iris or my all time favourite iris: Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc by L’Occitane. Sadly I sold my backup of it, went through my original bottle and by then it was gone.
So Violet Ida continues to warm and the iris fades. I’m left with a pretty, vanilla woods wash till fade.
Unisex, longevity is moderate and projection low.
Tom loves Fleurs de Seo from Miller Harris too.
So, have you or would you wear Violet Ida?
Portia xx
Late to the party to say this sounds really nice, and I love the bottle! I think it would be wonderful in fall or winter when I want a little pillow-y warmth…
Heya March,
Yes, though I think it could work for spring or cooler summer nights (I know you’re not having ANY of those this year)
Portia xx
Yes, sounds like my cup of tea. Le Labo Iris 39 is a carroty iris. But it doesn’t have the violet, or vanilla notes as far as I remember, just a whomping load of patch. Carroty iris is nice, kind of zesty and earthy. Thanks, Portia.
Yes, zesty and earthy! Good descriptors DinaC.
Portia xx
It sounds pleasant but a bit weak? Love the bottle. I’ll stick with Amouage Lilac Love for my purple bottle fix since this one has such limited distribution in the US.
Not weak exactly, a little shy maybe TaraC. No entrance making diva for sure.
Portia xx
In 2019 Samantha from I Scent you a day reviewed Violet Ida and gave the heads up that you could buy 3 sample bottles from their Range for £5 and free postage. Needless to say that I bought Violet Ida, Scherzo and Powdered Veil. Bargain. The sample bottles were just the same as the full bottles…lovely colours and boxes.
O M G!
That’s amazing. what an incredible deal.
Portia xx
I’ve never found a Miller Harris scent I enjoy. DH liked Fleurs de Sel, I gifted him a bottle but after 2 years he had never worn it. Off it went to eBay & hopefully to someone who wore it!
Peau Santal sounded promising but didn’t live up to it’s billing. Now I don’t bother trying them.
Bummer about Fleurs de Sel Alityke. Partners are fickle things.
Portia xx
Love your description of the musty dog pillow thing. I find the idea of MH scents interesting but the only one that has worked on my is l’Air du Rien. I guess I find them sort of … watery? It’s a great name though and back story.
Interesting Cinnamon,
I do see what you’re saying though. Did you ever try their Geranium Bourbon? So bloody fabulous.
Portia xx
That was another one I really loved and isn’t there anymore..
Yeah, it’s a bummer but it can’t have been selling well, or maybe it was IFRA-ed away
The carrot seed and iris part reads really interesting. The rest?
It’s really too bed that Miller Harris seems to UK only again. They went from being a featured brand at Sam’s to Bloomingdale’s and then gone. I loved Fleurs de Sel and L’Air de Rien (and others) but I think some aren’t even in the UK anymore.
Hey Tom,
I think the world changed radically as C19 started. Hopefully it will open back up again.
Portia xx