Hey there Posse. Roxana Villa, Posse Tom and I spent a day together in the Roxana Illuminated Perfumes perfume creation centre (in her home) way back in 2013. It was the loveliest day. We had matcha tea, talked, sniffed, laughed, looked at art, smelled art, and had one of those days that stand out in memory. Recently I bought one of Greg Spalenka‘s 15 minute charcoal masterpieces. This is important in that Roxana is his wife. We are friends. My beautiful drawing arrived inside a tube. There was also a little package inside from Roxana with her latest fragrance. TinaG just happened to be over the day the pack arrived. We both tried some of The Green Knight and swooned.
The Green Knight by Roxana Illuminated Perfume
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Woody Notes, Resins, Juniper, Eucalyptus, Mastic/Lentisque, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Tansy, Violet Leaf, Calamus, Orris, Vetiver, Oakmoss, Labdanum, Pine Tree Needles, Pine Tree, Rose, Galbanum
As always. Roxana delivers something truly special.
Green, moss, wood both fresh hewn and rotting, resins and grasses. I know, it’s a long list for a first whiff. The Green Knight smells like the stories I love of enchanted woods, tree people, fairies and of course the borderline good/evil elfin rulers. Surprisingly there is a fun Coca Cola whiff hiding beneath the opening greenery. It’s so delightfully incongruous and put a big smile on my face.
There is a full story and evolution through the life of The Green Knight. The heart warms through and becomes more tropical jungle floor. The humidity rises, warm humus decomposing rapidly with the help of the insects and bacteria. Lichen and funguses. There is even the dander rich pelt of forest creatures, hunter and prey. The fluffy powderiness of birds and the scaly slither of reptiles. Further on suddenly the fragrance takes flight, wet are still in the forest but the notes become less dense and there is a cool breeze blowing through the warmth. As we reach dry down the scent becomes closer to my own, still humus rich but more full of humanity. This soft whisper of green over my skin lasts for hours. Interestingly I don’t become anosmic to it in the way I do with other fragrances.
The Green Knight is all of the forests. A reminder of what we are destroying infinitely faster than it can replace itself. The fragrance smells like a reminder that we are so dependent on what we consume, so at this rate we may end up with nothing to consume.
Has Roxana captured the primal heave of spring? Maybe The Green Knight is telling us it’s not too late?
Totally unisex. Sillage and longevity are moderate. I’m reviewing the EdP but The Green Knight also comes in a solid form.
Is The Green Knight for you? Can you imagine yourself being transported on the wings of The Green Knight?
Portia xx
thanks buddy
this helped me to choose some good perfumes
Keep sharing your expertise and passion for perfume. Keep up the great work.
I’m so happy to be living in Santa Fe and be able to visit Roxana’s magical studio regularly. It’s no surprise that truly special things come out of there.
Lucky you Matt, please blow Roxana kisses from me next time you’re in the store,
Portia x
I will definitely stroll by her perfumery studio next time I’m in Santa Fe. And I’ve been browsing the Illuminated Perfume website and discovery sets. Thank you for the wonderful review and introduction to Roxana’s botanical perfumes! xoxo
Hey there Kathleen,
How lucky you are to just pop into Santa Fe, do you live near?
Welcome, I hope you find something that floats your boat.
Portia xx
A beautifully poetic review from the glorious Portia! How I miss you. Thank you for the sweet accolades you placed on my art / heart. You have truly captured the quality of this perfume in words… “Green Knight smells like the stories I love of enchanted woods, tree people, fairies and of course the borderline good/evil elfin rulers.” It is magical in that way.
When I transformed the perfume into a visual piece of art, I wanted to capture the qualities of being rooted to the vital dark earth, yet growing into and becoming a lush green bouquet. The scent and art remind us, like the Green Knight of lore, that we are protectors of the environment, and also to be true to the authentic nature within ourselves.
GREG! Super cool to see you here at Perfume Posse my friend!
Your aim was fully realised in The Green Knight art. So beautifully.
HUGPortia xx
I had to share this article with The Posse. It’s written by James Beard award winning queer food and culture writer, John Birdsall. I think it goes with what Roxana captures with her scents.
https://johnbirdsall.substack.com/p/the-odor-becomes-you
Thanks MizChris.
Portia x
How well I remember that day- it was fun. I had that big old Cadillac at the time. It barely fit up her driveway. I’m sad that she and Greg decamped but I know they’re very happy where they are.
She is a genius perfumer and if I had looto winnings I would buy her stuff by the quart.
Thank you Tom, fun times indeed! I miss you soooo much, intending I get out west, or even better, you come to Santa Fe xo
Yeah, that was a really fun holiday Tom. If I won Lotto we’d be back in the USA to visit you all.
Portia xx
This sounds delightful to me. I happen to be wearing Malle Synthetic Jungle right now, a big green, galbanum-rich, tree filled scent, so The Green Knight sounds like an adventure.
I absolutely LOVE SynthJungle…so maybe this one would be a winner on me!
xoxo
Hey DinaC,
Malle Synthetic Jungle is gorgeous. I bet you are smelling super yum.
The Green Knight feels like it might be the next step into the forest.
Portia xx
Well! I’m not sure I’m swooning over the perfume (forest-y scents are hit or miss on me) but I am definitely swooning over your gorgeous review!!!
Roxana and Greg sound like very intriguing people. Hope to meet them someday – perhaps in Santa Fe!
xoxoxo
GO GO GO GO GO!!
Take pics.
Portia xx
This sounds fantastic, lucky you! Man I wish my nose was working better … she’s here in Santa Fe now, as far as I know, I’d pay her a visit.
March, Roxana and Greg are amazing people, perfume or no perfume you should definitely get in touch and see them. They have a beautiful serenity around them. I thought it may have been the comfort of knowing how excellent they are in their chosen fields. In California they also had two bee hives in their yard, bee people are good people (in my experience).
Portia xx
You should definitely seek them out. They are great fun and so talented. Santa Fe’s gain is LA’s loss.
Roxana makes incense as well as bath salts, March. Who knows-if you visit, you might discover other unadvertised delights, too. If I recall, her husband is an artist so there’s that to explore as well. : )
Have never heard of Roxana, but I love ”forest” perfumes. When I was younger, with better knees, I used to ski and my favorite places were the glades where you could smell the trees as you made your way down the hill. Good memories whenever I get a whiff of a piney scent.
MMKinPA,
Then I think that Roxana will really hit that spot for you.
Portia xx
@MMKinPA me too!!! I’m from Argentina, so every summer I would go on a big ski trip with my family (cousins, uncles, aunts, etc.) to the Andes. I love the feel of the cool air scented with conifers. It’s such a great scent memory, which I keep in my pocket to conjure whenever cold, brisk air hits my face.
I’ve never heard of Roxana Illuminated Perfume before. I’m guessing US based? Sadly, that means I’m unlikely to get my nose on them but won’t stop me found some reading
Hey Alityke,
Yes, she’s now based in Santa Fe. Solid perfume can be sent worldwide.
Portia xx
Hi Portia
I’ve checked out the Etsy store but sadly the solid fragrances do not ship to UK
This sounds so interesting. The kitchen sink notes list is sort of funny. Makes you think about which ones you like and really don’t. Years ago, I got a sample of her Green Witch. The sample is gone now but I still think about the weird witchy seaweed smell. Maybe I need samples of both of these.
Hey Cinnamon,
Roxana has a way with natural that smells so immediate and earthy, without being that swampy thing that many naturals smell like. If Green Witch was your jam then this will probably blow your skirt too.
Portia xx
Hmmm…. that’s interesting, P; that is what I was hemming and hawing about – that swampy thing. Hmmm…
Well, it’s not like I won’t be in SFe again…
xoxo
Take March with you Musette
Yes, come visit Santa Fe and the perfumery! I have it set up like an old apothecary, and I will take you(s) up to my lab to see (and smell) all my potions, and Greg’s artwork is hanging throughout. Enchantment all around.
I will. Promise!
xoxo
Hello Portia! Thank you for re-kindling that wonderful memory from your and Toms visit in 2013, a cherished moment for sure. Auspiciously we were hanging with Matt today, the model in that wonderful sketch that you purchased from Greg. Wafting big love and gratitude your way for taking the time to share your thoughts on the scent for the community here at Perfume Posse. Did you know that J. R. R. Tolkien considered Sir Gawain and the Green Knight one of the greatest works of medieval English literature? May we, like Sir Gawain, navigate the temptations that are put before us and remain true to our virtues as we migrate through our lives. xoxo
Hey there Roxana,
So lovely to have you drop in to the Posse.
Please thank Matt, and Greg. That charcoal is so fabulous.
I did not, will look that story up.
LOVED The Green Knight, congratulations.
Hug
Portia xxx