I was comparing Hermes Caleche Fleurs de Mediterranee with Hermes Kelly Caleche.
The sign of a good SA is knowing what to say. She said, “Let me smell them both on you.” She did, taking time to savor the notes of each as she pondered. She agreed that she liked them both on me (normally I would stay away from tea rose that is in Kelly Caleche, but honestly it could be that now I can wear notes I couldn’t wear before — it is expanding my range, because I can still wear what I’ve always liked) but, she said, “Caleche Fleurs de Mediterranee is more complex on you.”
Those were the magic words. It is more complex than Kelly Caleche. Yes, it is. KC is more of a one-note tea rose, but it is tempered with enough other notes so as not to knock me over with rose.
So it depends, do I want complex (normally yes, as it is more fun to wear) or simple (which works nicely when one just wants to relax with a perfume, ’stead of keeping on one’s toes.)
And, of course, there is a huge price break between the two with Caleche Fleurs de Mediterranee weighing in at a hefty $150.
Anybody notice that those prices just keep going up and up and up — through the roof? And it doesn’t take much to justify them.
Available only at Nieman-Marcus as part of their 100th anniversary celebration, this limited edition fragrance has a run of only 2500 bottles. My fairly local store reports that they sold all of their first bottles and had to get bottles from a bigger store that still had some.
How exclusive is it really? It was originally created in 2003 by Jean-Claude Ellena, though there is some question as to whether it is the same fragrance or not. I can’t say, as I didn’t smell the earlier one. Is it possible they would re-issue it again for another exclusive event? For those who love this fragrance, that would be a bit of good news. Maybe it has to have a tie-in to another event for it to get the promotion it deserves. Or possibly, the next time out it will be more expensive. Ouch.
Osmoz reports the 2003 notes as:
Top note : feuille de violette, jasmin d’Egypte
Middle note : rose de Turquie, absolue de mimosa
Base note : héliotrope, cire d’abeille
Elsewhere listed: Moroccan mimosa, Turkish rosa damascena, Egyptian jasmine, with the additional notes of beeswax and heliotrope. No mention of violet in any form.
I like Un Jardin en Méditerranée by Hermes, also 2003, with notes of Fig Woods and Leaves, Orange Blossom, Bergamot, White Oleander. Caleche Fleurs de Mediterranee reminds of this, but richer and fuller.
I can tell you that it transports me back to Mediterranean gardens, with a sea scent on the breeze. I am ready to go back! There is a luminous quality to it that reminds me of the light that is unique to the Mediterranean. Have you ever noticed that the quality of light is different in different areas? While there are no notes of sea in it, there is a quality of airiness. I think that is what I’m catching.
It is one I’m reaching for more often than others. It’s not too sweet. It’s just right.
And I’m not generally a floral person, except as it applies to real flowers that I made a commitment to have around the house this year.
How about you, do you like this fragrance? If you do, you might consider bottle splitting when there are still bottles to be had. I wonder how many are left? The store local to me had about 5 on their shelves, but this was their second go.
Karin
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