We are blessed in the UK with a plethora of amazing fragrances within our reach, and yet of course we always hanker after more – particularly some of the ultra-cool niche brands we see being raved about across the pond on various blogs and fragrance forums. One of the main showcases for such houses is the Pitti Fragranze trade fair, held annually in Florence.
We were lucky enough to attend this year’s scented extravaganza, and while frantically visiting the stands (over 400 of them!) one often bumps into colleagues and fragrance friends who are bursting to tell you all about their latest discovery, one such acquaintance pushing a vial of Mendittorosa‘s Le Mat perfume into our eager hands. Having been swooned over on various forums and blogs, we were anxious to have a sniff ourselves, and were pleased to discover it was worth the wait.
Mendittorosa say: ‘Le Mat is the “odour” of bravery, gumption and change. With a mantle of nutmeg and black pepper that protects its heart of geranium and rose, the scent unleashes whiffs of patchouli and cashmere wood. A blend of celestial and earthy aromas that instils a sensation of freedom.’
We’re unsure what the ‘odour of bravery’ would actually smell like, but this is a spice-laden sink into boozy rum-laden fruitiness that mellows as it dries down to a suede-like skin softness with a musky trail. The problem we have is that it can take aeons (if ever) for some of the more unsual niches to arrive on our shores; but luckily Le Mat has recently launched in the UK, currently exclusively being stocked in Selfridges. And the unique artisanal packaging is very eye-catching too (the wooden ‘crate’ looks it has washed up as hidden treasure on a remote beach).
Mendittorosa Le Mat £138 for 100ml extrait de parfum
At Selfridges
Written by Suzy Nightingale
