Eau de Protection

Rossy de Palma

Etat Libre d'Orange 2007

It's 2016. I work as a nurse in a psychiatric hospital. "My" ward is located in an old house, a few hundred meters away from the main building. It has its own charm and little hospital character, which most of the staff and patients find very pleasant. However, there is a strong draught through the windows and doors, which makes for cold feet for some people in winter I walk down the corridor and think "Phew, Mrs. XY meant it a bit too well with the drizzle". She pulls a scent tail behind her, which is not from bad parents. The scent seems distant, greenish-spicy-fresh. I can't really tell if I like it or not. In any case, it is striking. However, the overdose bothers me here and I find it a wee bit annoying. My colleague obviously doesn't, because he asks me if I've smelled this insanely great perfume from Mrs. XY (how could I have over-smelled it?). I reply "Sure, the whole hallway smells like it." He proudly tells me that he asked her the name of the fragrance and she revealed to him that it was called "Rossy di Parma". My colleague keeps repeating the name of the fragrance and reports that he is thinking of buying it for his future partner. Currently, there is no one there, which is hard on him. But that's another story.

A few years later, I discover my fondness for Etat Libre d'Orange and test and buy some fragrances of this brand. Browsing on Parfumo, the name "Rossy di Parma" comes back to mind and I enter it into the Parfumo search bar, which of course doesn't yield a hit. I don't know why I remembered it for so long, but this conversation with the colleague somehow stuck in my mind.
With "Rossy" entered alone, I find what I'm looking for and am shown "Rossy de Palma". "That must be him," I think. Reviews and statements read, pyramid studied, prices compared and ordered. Is this a blind buy? Kind of, no. At most, a little.

Sprayed and felt quite different than in the hallway of my former workplace. Still, I recognize the scent immediately. I am inflamed. Feel the appeal of the new and at the same time a familiarity.
At the beginning it blows me slightly citrusy and rosy, with a bit of a sour note that seems green. A bit like plant stems when you break them open. After five minutes, the sour impression disappears. The rose blossoms and darkens. A certain coolness resonates. Patchouli is also evident, I think. Gradually, balsamic-earthy-spicy and minimally sweet-powdery sprinkles emerge and become more intense. The scent becomes warmer and more loving. The rose does not let itself down and remains the queen and very well perceptible.

From the first spray, I feel that the fragrance belongs to me. Its development feels harmonious and right: at first cool, even a little distant. But when you know and trust each other better, it warms and embraces you, gives security and affection. A bit like meeting someone with whom a trusting relationship develops after initial distance.

I can't relate to the blood associations at all.
But Eau de Protection is probably not everybody's darling and that's fine. Although I personally find it irresistible and beautiful.