Mane' Atelier N°7 Erika Gualtieri

The little rider's room can be found in almost every horse stable, and they have their own charm and special scent. When I started riding in the nineties, smoking was still allowed in these rooms. Some had vending machines, often you could also brew coffee, and they were usually furnished with older leather furniture. I remember wooden floors, often quite worn, and in one corner stood a tiled stove.

When a tournament visit or a group ride for a special occasion was coming up, the horses were usually prepared the night before the spectacle, cleaned particularly well, and then saddles, bridles, and leather riding boots were cleaned as well. After everything was freed from the marks of daily riding, oil or fat with beeswax extract was applied to the leather, which not only nourishes but also provides a nice shine, making both horse and rider shine during their grand appearance.

A sniff of Mane immediately catapults me into such a cozy rider's room. And saddles and boots were definitely polished and greased that day. Because besides the tiled stove, the old furniture, the worn wooden floor, and the cold smoke of cigarettes, I can clearly smell leather care balm from the equestrian supplies. The good and expensive fat that has such a lovely vanilla scent at the back end. Today, my thoughts drifted back to my riding badge exams in my younger years or the legendary New Year's Eve ride at my favorite farm from childhood. I also thought about the first tournaments. And about the many wonderful hours spent with long-time friends as well as new acquaintances who also came and went at these farms and the rider's room. I think of my former riding instructors. All of them different characters. Almost all of them were heavy smokers. But my thoughts also wander to icy fingers and toes in winter and the lovely feeling of slowly warming up by the tiled stove and feeling safe.

Mane is, for me, quite far from a classic perfume, yet it manages to activate many of my memories. A scent for sniffing, not necessarily for wearing, but still somehow beautiful. Cozy. Warm. A piece of childhood.

Since the scent is very intense, I recommend applying just a drop and letting it work its magic. Childhood romance guaranteed.

Many thanks to Susan for the opportunity to test this.