Violet Ida by Miller Harris

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