M. Micallef - The Art Collection Vanille:  Vanille Marine

In 2012, M. Micallef launched the special edition – The Art Collection Vanille.  The collection is comprised of 4 fragrances each pairing sweet vanilla with another specific note.  Vanille Marine (“Vanille”) pairs vanilla with the aquatic fragrance family and creates an aromatic aquatic that shows the “watery” side of vanilla.

Vanille opens with fresh, minerally, fruity floral notes paired with a delicately sweet vanilla.  The fruits are bright and sunny in feel.  The often sharp lemon is tempered with a rich juicy blackberry.  The white flowers are sweetened with a slightly boozy vanilla.  The white florals and vanilla are more present than the fruits.  There is a creaminess to the opening that exists despite the light airiness. 

As Vanille wears, there is a beachy feel to the notes.  You can almost feel the salty ocean breeze and the sun shining down.  There is not a suntan lotion vibe to this; simply a clear, crisp, breezy day at the beach.  It is more of an ocean air accord rather than a classic watery one.  At roughly 3 hours into wear I get a slightly resinous white musk.  The addition of the notes adds warmth to the fragrance and echoes the initial impression of being at the beach.  I don’t get additional development in the drydown but rather a fading away of the notes…little, less, none..until the fragrance has become memory.

Vanille Marine wears on me for roughly 6-7 hours with moderate projection.

Top note: lemon, blackcurrant

Heart notes: vanilla, white flowers

Base notes: benzoin, musk, wood

Perfumer:  Jean-Claude Astier

*Thank you to Josie Plumey of Osswald Parfumerie NYC for the sample of this fragrance.