Another day, another 60s green chypre. Where do I stop? Well, if I stop where the variant of this genre consists of a fermented peach and banana oil ylang-ylang, then Vivara is my coup de grâce. This is a unique take on a style we find in such hallowed favorites as Azuree, Fidji, and Miss Balmain. Beyond the aldehydes and green bite, there is this humidity and herbaceousness to the florals that are imbued with pepper and spices in the heart.
The latter half of the development is far earthier and more leathery, almost rubber-like, with a fondant of moss. Most salient however is the costus—ooh la la. It's what makes Vivara feel more carnal than its contemporaries. The way it blooms on a rainy spring day such as today as I wear it: chef's kiss. Bring your bumbershoot, put on your wellies, don some Vivara on your pulse points, and you are ready to face the world in style.
