From BDK Parfums’ Collection Matières, where each creation turns the spotlight on a particular raw material, whether natural or derived from synthetic molecules. The Collection Matières focuses on connecting the raw materials to their origins, to let them create their own narratives, which is why notions of travel and discovery are at the core of this collection.
Tonka bean is a note that contains many contrasts – sometimes reminiscent of a leathery vanilla, sometimes of almonds, sometimes even revealing chocolatey facets. On the skin, Velvet Tonka is like a delicacy dusted with icing sugar. The balmy tonka bean is adorned with almonds and rose petals for a velvety touch, and with a hint of tobacco absolute to give it a honeyed feel. In the base, addictive notes of milky amyris wood unfurl, enhanced by ambroxan and vanilla absolute for unparalleled softness and sensuality. Velvet Tonka is a tribute to the Moroccan origins of founder David Benedek, and to the iconography associated with the region through its flavours, colours and landscapes. Like a sweet, indulgent breeze coming straight from the Atlas Mountains.
NOTES
Top: Almond, Orange Blossom
Middle: Rose Absolute, Balkan Tobacco Absolute
Base: Tonka Bean Absolute, Madagascan Vanilla Absolute, Amyris Wood Essence, Amber Woods
PERFUMER
Alexandra Carlin
HOW IT WEARS
This fragrance opens with powdery, almost bitter almond which is warmed and sweetened slightly by orange blossom. Soft rose petals and sweet, almost smoky tobacco appear, then give way to the star of the show, the tonka bean. Enrichened by vanilla and soft, smooth woods on the base, this scent will last a good 6-8 hours on the skin.
LORE LOVES
Velvet Tonka is true to its name for sure. It’s soft and smooth, almost milky/lactonic. While powdery, it doesn’t feel dated, probably due to the tobacco and woody notes which lend the fragrance earthy depth. This almond note in this scent is prominent, so is a must-try for any lovers of nutty scents!
ABOUT THE BRAND
BDK Parfums is an independent perfume house founded by David Benedek. Specialising in unique, creative fragrances made up of high-quality raw materials, each scent has its own narrative, its own tale to tell.
One of the youngest designers and house founders in the industry, David was born in 1989 to a Moroccan/Algerian mother and a Romanian father. Fragrance runs in his family – his grandparents opened a perfume boutique in Paris shortly after arriving there from Transylvania in the 60s.
Each BDK fragrance works around a particular raw material, giving it a life and a story of its own. The house is in a perpetual search for flawless raw materials, which is why most concentrates they use are from the Grasse region in France. The creative process is never rushed; new scents are complete when the perfect equilibrium between notes is found, the alchemy perfect.
David wants people to choose their fragrance as they choose a book in a library – by wearing one of BDK’s scents, a person can experience the story of the perfume, and find the link between fragrance and imagination.
BDK Parfums is based in the heart of Paris, Palais-Royal, so the lids of the BDK bottles have been designed to pay homage to the dome of the iconic Grand Palais. The monument holds many French treasures and is perfectly representative of French savoir-faire – of liberté, égalité, and fraternité – perfect for this proudly French house.
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