Wish Chopard 1997 Eau de Parfum

A white cashmere dress, soft, nude lipstick and this perfume. As soon as I smelled it, I knew today was going to be a particularly beautiful day. The diamond shape with blue liquid sat enthroned on the glass make-up table. I was maybe about 8 years old when I realized that this perfume would lead our family to a party where I would see my dearest cousins, dance with them or play Sailor Moon, practice songs and fall into bed tired. My mom didn't just look like one to me on those days, she smelled like one too: a goddess. An image of a woman that represented strength, elegance and passion to me. I admired the aura of the fragrance, this synthetic, it shaped my love for blackcurrant. It enveloped my mom like a cloud and myself as soon as she hugged me. The bubbly, positive and laughing mom fascinated me, yes, authenticity. I don't have to play quietly, I don't have to laugh quietly, I don't have to feel quietly. I'm allowed to realize myself as a woman, I'm allowed to be who I want to be and I'm allowed to seek out my partnerships on one level while maintaining a gentleness. Sensuality does not mean being weak and laughing out loud and expressing an opinion does not mean being strong at the same time. I am allowed to be.

When I went to my first party at 15 with a fake student ID (yes, you were allowed to go until 1 a.m.) and was allowed to take a few spritzes of perfume, this protection enveloped me like the invisible robe of Harry Potter. Donned with a ton of hairspray for my curls, a terrible outfit (because I didn't know what to wear to a party) and bronzer all over my cheeks, I went to the party, which felt like half my school was at. I felt uncomfortable, everything was too intimate and unfamiliar, I was glad to finally be able to go home.

When I got home, my mother said: "It's not bad. I didn't enjoy my first dance either" - and as a consolation she gave me her perfume (which even accompanied me through university, perfumes were super expensive!)

In the meantime, I've grown into dancing and know how much bronzer my face can take.

The perfume is pure nostalgia, 90s charm I would say. It's the mother of Alien and co. It will forever be a part of my collection and every now and then, it can be brought back to life.