Aoud Ambre Montale

My stepmother always wished for Montale fragrances during celebrations.

From her perspective, it was understandable, as she was an awe-inspiring figure - tall, always elegant, self-assured, professionally successful, and endowed with a portion of natural authority.
She was politically active and the founder of the Suffragette Club in Dortmund.

Although she had her heart in the right place, her confidence and activities intimidated me a bit.
But the straightforward, expressive fragrance suited her very well.

In heated political debates, I was always surrounded by her impressive serious aura.
Not a scent for the faint-hearted - but for individuals with convictions.

The amber adds a certain wildness - I would almost say a nonconformity - which is deepened by the oud.
However, the rose creates a sense of commitment and is pleasantly emotional.

Still, it’s not a fragrance to bring along for a relaxed café chat - the scent demands something more essential.

For me, it was too strict at the time - too demanding - but now that I have a few more years under my belt, I am slowly approaching Aoud Ambre.
Of course, my stepmother's shoes are still quite large - but now and then, I slip into them as if I wanted to "play grown-up".

And for a few moments, I feel comfortable in them - because I greatly admired my life-experienced stepmother.
Yet the fragrance feels somehow oversized for me - and I look forward to being a child again - with dreams, fantasies, utopias - which my realistic stepmother probably appreciated in me as well.
I am sure of it - even though it was never spoken.

I miss her - my impressive stepmother.