Armani Privé - Rose d'Arabie Giorgio Armani 2010

A Rose Has Blossomed - from 1001 Nights

1.
"A rose has blossomed, from a tender root.
As the ancients sang to us, from Jesse came the kind.
And has brought a little flower in the cold winter
Well to the half of the night (...)"

According to the "turquoise-colored" advertising announcements, Giorgio Armani's "Rose d'Arabie" (from 2010) is a majestic essence of the mystical Damask rose. Indeed: "Pulsating, sensual, captivating. Inspired by the famous 'Scheherazade', who, through incredible beauty and wisdom, managed to convince the king of her uniqueness with the legendary stories from 1001 Nights."

These "Damask roses", which are mainly cultivated today in Bulgaria and Turkey, originally come from Asia Minor. They were already known on the island of Samos in 1000 BC and play a role in the widely popular "Tales from 1001 Nights". In these tales, "Scheherazade" is the daughter of the vizier (in today's understanding a kind of minister) of the Persian king "Shahrayar". When this ruler discovers that his wife is cheating on him with a slave, he makes the -understandable in principle- decision never to be betrayed by a woman again. Therefore, he marries a new woman every day, whom he has killed the next morning. A solution; albeit somewhat too martial by today's standards. This was probably what "Scheherazade" thought (even back then) and she marries the king herself. On what she believes to be her last night, however, she begins to tell her newlywed husband a story, the plot of which abruptly ends the next morning. Curious about the end of the story, the king spares her life. And so it goes for 1001 nights. Look! In the end, her husband is so convinced of her loyalty that he grants her life. And if they haven't died...

2.
And surely he not only granted her life but also showered her with roses. With Damask roses. He surely would have surprised her with Giorgio Armani's "Rose d'Arabie". Contrary to the fragrance pyramid, "Scheherazade" would have noticed a certain scent progression. Although not a significant one.

Right at the beginning, she would have been greeted by a delicate -barely noticeable orange blossom-. Just a gentle hint of neroli amidst the surrounding hot desert sand. But then immediately, a stately and proud rose would have revealed its full beauty. Mysterious. Fairytale-like. Not this delicate and almost crystal-clear light pink specimen from "Lumière Noire" by Francis Kurkdjian. No, our proud and oriental rose in "Rose d'Arabie" is blood red. Dark red. Almost black. Yet: It is creamy underneath. Creamy underlined by noble saffron, which most likely found its long and arduous way through the merciless deserts of the land to the opulent royal palace via a caravan. Our noble rose is caressed by this. Yet it remains dark and mysterious. A fairytale indeed. A tale from 1001 Nights. Oud and patchouli ensure that. Everything is very, very finely tuned to each other. Yet "Scheherazade's" proud (and saffron-creamy) rose surpasses them all. Only mysteriously surrounded by its companions: The resinous oud; the smoky patchouli.

And this exotic rose would have accompanied "Scheherazade" for many hours. But not only "Scheherazade". Also her husband, the king. Because our rose is not (delicately) feminine. Therefore, it is also a beautiful rose scent for us men. To feel like a king from a tale of 1001 Nights. At least for a few hours. Because then this wonderful scent fades away with a light hint of vanilla, slightly sweet.

3.
"Rose d'Arabie" is a wonderful and mysterious rose scent. A fairytale from 1001 Nights. A scent for queens and for kings. For kings who do not have their newlywed wives killed right after the wedding night...