Happy Mother's Day!
When I think of my mother, I immediately think of Diorissimo. My first memory of her is associated with the crystalline and radiant scent of this amazing perfume. As I once wrote about these early childhood memories, "She worked at the chemical engineering research institute, which was an organization with a very vague purpose. Or perhaps, it is just my confused memory, because what I recall of the institute had little to do with either chemistry or engineering. Yet, imagining my glamorous mother trailing a scent of Edmond Roudnitska’s legendary creation down the halls of that dingy grey building never fails to amuse me. She would drop me off at the pre-school and then leave, yet the scent of her would remain."
It has been years since my mother wore Diorissimo. When I asked her about it one day as she applied her current favourite Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist, my mother smiled and said, "Oh, it reminds me too much of old times, which is both good and bad. One does not remain the same as years go by, so why should one be loyal to the same perfume?" Now, I wear Diorissimo, and it is my fragrance of choice today.
How funny. I smelled Diorissimo for the first time just yesterday (hard as that is to believe) as I poked around at Saks. A lovely LOTV on me -- is that what it's supposed to be?
Your mother sounds like a very wise woman.
Posted by: Style Spy | May 13, 2007 01:45 PM
Dear Victoria,
I was a bit worried when I saw the title - until I remembered that here in the UK Mothers'Day is in March... I really enjoyed reading your story: my mother always wore 4711 cologne because she felt clean and fresh when dabbing some on her hanky! I know we can still buy this but it would make me sad if I were to sniff it again. As for Diorissimo, I reread your review and am now convinced it is going to be my "late spring" fragance!
Warmest wishes,
Linda
Posted by: Linda | May 13, 2007 03:28 PM
Dear Victoria,
I was a bit worried when I saw the title - until I remembered that here in the UK Mothers'Day is in March... I really enjoyed reading your story: my mother always wore 4711 cologne because she felt clean and fresh when dabbing some on her hanky! I know we can still buy this but it would make me sad if I were to sniff it again. As for Diorissimo, I reread your review and am now convinced it is going to be my "late spring" fragance!
Warmest wishes,
Linda
Posted by: Linda | May 13, 2007 03:29 PM
What a wise woman your mother is.
She shares that with her daughter, no doubt.
Enjoy your day, and your lovely memories...
Posted by: chayaruchama | May 13, 2007 05:36 PM
Style Spy, it is exactly right--crystalline and vivid lily of the valley. Isn't it magical?
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | May 13, 2007 10:28 PM
Linda, it took me ages to find the right Diorissimo. The current version is different from what I remember (lovely, but different), so I could not be satisfied for a long time. The memory is an amazing thing. So, I completely know what you mean.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | May 13, 2007 10:31 PM
Chaya, happy mother's day to you! I hope that it was wonderful.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | May 13, 2007 10:32 PM
Wow! Your mom is a very wise person. And, ISM is a gorgeous fragrance!
Hugs and love!
Posted by: violetnoir | May 14, 2007 12:57 PM