Olympia by Histoires de Parfums

Orange, Bergamot, Lemon, Mandarin, Pink Berries, Black Pepper, Saffron, Rose, Freesia, Lilac, Peony, Blond Wood, Patchouli, Frankincense, Styrax, Suede, Vanilla, Chocolate, Licorice, White Musk.

Olympia "Music Hall" is a rather easy concept to grasp. Gerald Ghislain envisions the aromas wafting around the legendary Parisian venue L'Olympia. The attempt to capture the musicality of smell emanating from skin and-or environment is not such an easy task. I believe that, more than mimicking memories of a "place", Ghislain endeavors to duplicate the flow of seamless, musical phrases. What my skin informs me is that this particular music is mellow, rich and without seam or ripple. I know not if Ghislain succeeded in putting the genie in the bottle, but Olympia certainly is very suitable to don in such a scenario.

The citric opening of Olympia is akin to a musical score beginning at volume 3 and then slowly rising to 5 to coincide with the chiming in of peppery berries. To underscore the spicy, citric fruit is a placid rendition of incense. It's not your normal smoky version, but evident enough to augment an already balanced accord.

The floral heart is a chorus of stealth. Seamless, it arrives with no fanfare like a well placed harmony. What realizes on me is a duo of soft, dry Rose and Freesia. The opening is still ongoing, making room for the floral addition. The totality of volume never rises, but Olympia becomes more expansive as the life of the scent marches on. The Pink Berries, Pepper and Freesia are appointed as well mannered sopranos during the heart and base, cutting through the mix just enough to be heard above the subtle smokiness and slowly rising balsam. These smooth stages of transition lean smack in the middle of the gender line.

The base and drydown of Olympia is more understated than the beginning and middle. There's a gradual sensuality coming to life during the outro. A suggestion of soft leather, coupled with an even milder confection quality merges with sheer musk. The balsam is still in the mix, as is the fading floral-berry.

Sillage is spot on and longevity is approximately 5 hours on my skin. Olympia remains ( at least on me ) a shared scent worthy to be sampled. Thumbs up from Aromi for Olympia by Histoires de Parfums.