Coquillete Paris Vesevius

In his 1836 poem, La Ginestra (“Broom”), the Italian poet Giacomo Leopardi condemns human pride by highlighting a contrasting presence: a fragile broom flower growing by the scorched slopes of Mount Vesevius in the Gulf of Naples. Broom symbolizes resilience, but also humility in front of nature’s power as opposed to human arrogance.

When I discovered Vesevius by Coquillete Paris, the first thing that came to mind was this poem I had so much loved to read in school. The fragrance is inspired by Mount Vesuvius and the contrasts this volcano conjures: “friend and foe”, “beauty and destruction”, “sacred fire and thrill of fear”, as described by the brand (read here).

As I read more about Vesevius, I discovered that fragrance lovers from Naples and the Campania region described how it perfectly captures the soul and essence of those lands – its pastoral and evocative nature pays tribute to walks under the blazing sun through bushes of golden yellow broom that adorn the arid and rocky Vesuvius landscapes.

To me, it’s a personal olfactory impression of the colors, sensations, and aromas of the countryside of Rieti, the small city in Central Italy where I was born. As I get ready to go back and visit after two years of absence, I have worn, sniffed, and enjoyed this graceful and poetic fragrance more than usual.

Each time I am surprised by its multifaceted charm that evokes the quintessential Italian Mediterranean scrublands with rich spices, refreshing herbs, intoxicating florals, and deep woods.

The zesty and aromatic opening reminds me of bushes of sage, rosemary, and lavender. It also evokes the thorny shrubs of blackberries in the foothills where I loved to spend time in the late summer. I also detect a spicy touch and sweet earthiness from the saffron. The damask rose listed in the top notes isn’t obvious to my nose.

After a short time, the aroma intensifies, and I perceive hints of sweet almond blossom and balsamic pine intertwined with the honeyed aroma of broom, bringing back memories of those vivid yellow flowers that line the paths in those same foothills, close to my parents’ house.

On my skin, the fragrance sweetens further as it evolves, and the base notes are blended to create a round and velvety sensation. The oud and patchouli used both in the heart and base offer a lush and terrestrial experience; the fragrance envelopes me into a captivating embrace without a hint of being suffocating.

In its latest stages, the composition maintains its inebriating sweetness and becomes hay-like and slightly dusty, bringing to mind the scorched, mineral quality of ash.

Qui su l’arida schiena
Del formidabil monte,
Sterminator Vesevo,
la uqal null’altro allegra arbor nè fiore,
Tuoi cespi solitari intorno spargi,
Odorata ginestra,
Contenta dei deserti.

English translation:

Fragrant broom,
content with deserts:
here on the arid slope of Vesuvius,
that formidable mountain, the destroyer,
that no other tree or flower adorns,
you scatter your lonely
bushes all around.

From the poem, La Ginestra (“Broom”), by Giacomo Leopardi. Translation into English is by A.S. Kline.

Coquillete Paris is a Woman-owned fragrance brand founded in 2012. Each creation balances high quality Italian artisanship and French elegance, paying homage to strong women who choose not to settle or conform. The fragrances are composed in Italy by the line’s owner and perfumer, Rosa Vaia, using the finest raw materials.

Notes and accords are listed as they appear on the Coquillete Paris website:

Top: bergamot, grapefruit, procida lemon, broom, blackberry, saffron, damask rose, verbena, galbanum.

Heart: Amazon rainforest oud, incense, vetyver, patchouly, sage, Vesuvius broom, rosemary, lavender, myrtle, Vesuvius orchids.

Background: amber, pine needles, oak wood, oud, patchouly

Coquillete Paris Vesevius is available as Extrait de Parfum in 10 ml and 100 bottles.

Photos by Sarah, members of my family, and kindly provided by Coquillete Paris, as indicated.