Who goes beside you into the forest on the darkest night? In Victor Hugo’s poem, “What Two Horsemen Were Thinking in the Forest”, the narrator says: “by my side, Hermann seemed to me like a shadow.”
We all have shadows, even at night in the dark forest. You may call yours by another name: your invisible friend. Your conscience, your soul, maybe even your complementary ego. Your shadow could have a name, like Hermann. Or your shadow could be your perfume.
You can’t lose this companion – it’s your alternative self! As you move through life and contemplate its meaning, when you’re overwhelmed with uncertainties, look to your shadow. Maybe you’ll get a response. Maybe not.
NOTES
Top: Black Pepper, Galbanum, Blackcurrant
Middle: Incense, Geosmine, Rose Absolute
Base: Vetiver, Patchouli, Ambroxan
HOW IT WEARS
Opening with the sharp, savoury bite of black pepper, Hermann develops to reveal its sticky, green, resinous heart where a dark, velvety rose blooms. The incense in this fragrance is pure and warm, if not a little astringent, complemented perfectly by the green spice of vetiver and the earthiness of patchouli. With great projection, Hermann will easily last on the skin for 6-8 hours, leaving a mysterious trail (or shadow) behind you.
LORE LOVES
This fragrance is unlike any rose and incense combination we’ve seen before. We think the point of difference comes from the green galbanum resin and black pepper, which together add a peculiar sharpness to the scent that has you looking over your shoulder to figure out what smells so intriguing, before you realise… it’s just you! It’s a dark scent, but it’s not too thick, rich or heavy; like a weightless shadow following you wherever you go.
ABOUT THE BRAND
Founded by Etienne de Swardt in 2006, Etat Libre d’Orange is an ambitious, audacious perfume house. Its name meaning “Free Orange State” in French, this is a house with an emphasis on originality, audacity, authenticity and freedom of expression. Each of Etat Libre d’Orange’s offerings is uncompromisingly surprising and knows no constraints in terms of creativity nor raw materials.
A perfumer for LVMH for many years before going rogue, Etienne de Swardt founded Etat Libre d’Orange with a view to turn the commercial fragrance industry on its head. Its launch certainly made waves, not only due to the raunchy fragrance names, but for the compositions themselves.
Read any review of Etat Libre d’Orange online and you will see a wide range of opinions, from disgusted to delighted, from aroused to inspired. We are obsessed with the daring whimsy of this fragrance house and so excited to have it at Lore!
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