Last week I was invited to a virtual event for the launch of the latest by Issey Miyake, A Drop d’Issey Eau de Parfum, where I got to learn firsthand what drove the creation behind this new scent from both the perfumer behind the fragrance, as well as the bottle’s designer. What I never expected, however, was exactly how much I’d fall in love with this scent … and no lie, but I’ve literally been wearing it every single day.
Follow @ommorphia YouTube ♦ Instagram ♦ Facebook ♦ Twitter ♦ Pinterest ♦ Bloglovin’
The lovely bouquet that arrived with the fragrance, made for the perfect backdrop, no?
Issey Miyake A Drop d’Issey Eau de Parfum (CAN $114.00/50 ml, 1.6 fl oz) | Created by perfumer Ane Ayo, this is a a soft milky-floral fragrance that comes nearly 30 years after the brand released L’Eau d’Issey. Inspired by the ‘perfect imperfection’ of a droplet of water, American designer Todd Bracher was given the task of capturing this essence in bottle form, his vision being to create a drop of water in a single piece; to that end the bottle is made with just enough glass (nothing is wasted), including 5% post-consumer recycled glass. The built in soft-touch cap releases scent with no more than a gentle press, emitting an ultra-fine mist and truly making this an all-in-one bottle. Finally, the back of the bottle has a dip where you can rest your thumb (a drop within a drop, if you will), making it easy to grasp. This shape is also symbolic, reflecting the effect of a magnifying glass the way a true water droplet can, as though through the prism of the bottle you can almost ‘see life in a whole new way’ — I absolutely love that.
Also available in 30 and 90 ml sizes
Some flowers remain “silent”, refusing to yield their scent via traditional extraction methods such as distillation and enfleurage. Lilac — the floral inspiration Ane Ayo selected for this fragrance — is one such flower. So how to reinvent nature? With a carefully curated group of both natural and synthetic ingredients, that’s how. Having mastered the art of reconstitution (or recreating a note found in nature by other means) in the exclusive circles of Grasse, the perfume capitol of the world, Ane found a unique way to unveil this illusive scent. Notes include:
- Top: Almond Milk
- Heart: Damask Rose, Jasmine, Star Anise, Orange Blossom
- Base: Musk, Biovanillin, Ambroxan, Atlas Cedar
The Naturals:
- the Orange Blossom Absolute and Damask Rose are both sourced as part of a program to develop a fair-trade partnership between Firmenich (the lab) and growers, with the aim of improving working conditions during the harvest
- the Cedarwood is recovered from North American wood pulp through one of the most sustainable supply chains for aromatic woods.
The Synthetics:
- Firbest Lilac contributes to the reconstitution of the scent of lilac, which is impossible to obtain naturally using traditional methods
- RC Vanillin, richer and more complex than regular Vanillin, is obtained using 100% renewable carbon methods
- the Ambrox®Super is a note close to Ambergris, obtained through biotechnology
I am incredibly selective with fragrance, as certain notes can trigger an instant migraine. I’ve also never been a floral person per se, although I do find non-traditional floral scents very intriguing. A Drop d’Issey definitely falls into the latter category, and yet it’s still unlike anything I’ve ever tried before. Holding the bottle is truly a sensorial experience, and I don’t even mind that it doesn’t stand upright but needs to lay flat. The incredibly fine mist it emits also contributes to this experience: imagine feeling the spray from a waterfall as if from a distance, and you’ll get what I mean. The opening spritz is so redolent of lilac, that you’ll swear the flower is nearby. Within minutes the creaminess of the Almond Milk kicks in, as if you’ve tasted rather than smelled it. Both the citrus and woody notes temper the sweetness of the floral ones and add a fresh crispness, while also feeling somewhat nostalgic. Finally, the dry down is absolutely delicious, leaving just a memory of the lilac against warm skin … and making you want to spritz on some more to start the imagery all over again.
As a fragrance lover, I’ve always opted for scents that lean more on the vanilla, woody, smoky side — along with anything that reminds me of the beach. Florals have never been my first choice, but A Drop d’Issey is so unexpected and unlike traditional florals, that it’s completely blown me away. As far as I’m concerned, I can say with full confidence that I’ve found my summer scent. Or at the very least, one that I’ll be reaching for over & over again …
Available at The Bay and select retailers nationwide
Kindly provided by the Issey Miyake team for my unbiased consideration
