Volnay is a French perfume house created in 1919 by Rene Duval. Thanks to the descendants of Germaine Madeline Duval, the wife of Rene Duval, this brand continues to exist and to create the exquisite perfumes. Today I review Brume d’Hiver Volnay Parfums.
Germaine Madeline Duval and Rene Duval
Germaine Madeline Duval was an extraordinary and adventurous woman, and the first female passenger to fly over the Andes. She has met her second husband, Rene Duval, on a ship bound for New York.
He worked for Francois Coty, one of the most famous perfumers of the 20th century, while she was a model for not less famous designer Lanvin.
They both were fond of beauty, elegance, and sophistication and it has led to the appearance of Volnay Parfums. Germaine Madeline Duval had a great sense of excellence and prestige combined with the understanding of the marketing process.
Very quickly, the perfume house Volnay became famous far beyond France, and their perfumes were called the most luxurious in Paris and in the most beautiful flacons in the world.
Volnay Parfums Nowadays
Today, already the great-grandchildren of Germaine Madeline Duval are bringing back to life refined Volnay perfumes. Muriel and Madeline Olivier reinterpret the original essences, which were carefully preserved at the International Conservatory of Perfumes, the Osmothèque in Versailles.
The old formulas of 4 Volnay perfumes (Yapana, Brume d’Hiver, Etoile d’Or, Perlerette) have been entrusted to the perfumer Amelie Bourgeois, who has kept the refinement of these fragrances of yesteryear while sublimating them with delicacy and subtlety.
These formulas show the beauty of forgotten raw materials and inspire the perfumer to create new fragrances. The most modern perfume Object Celeste was inspired by the old Etoile d’Or fragrance.
Modern flacons of Volnay perfumes. Photo is the courtesy of Volnay Parfums
All Volnay perfumes have the same base which Rene Duval called as a single number 4092. This base is represented by the powdery notes, rose, vanilla, and clove. It is a valuable sign of recognition and personality and the affirmation of a unique identity.
Using this base, Volnay Parfums give us a chance to enjoy the beauty of fragrances widely used in the twenties. And that is why all Volnay fragrances have a very impressive and beautiful vintage sound.
The flacons of Volnay perfumes are also inspired by Art Deco and renew the stylistic codes of that epoch.
Perfume Review of Brume d’Hiver Volnay Parfums
Brume d’Hiver ( «winter mist» or «winter fog» from French) opens with the refreshing but at the same time balsamic accord.
Bergamot gives this perfume its bright and fresh citrus aroma, while the note of Elemi adds to this composition its unique balsamic scent with spicy, woody and lemon accents. The note of juniper berries gives this fragrance the piquant and fresh sound.
The heart of Brume d’Hiver is represented by the alluring floral bouquet. Jasmine gives this perfume its exquisite and tender aroma, while the note of rose brings to Brume d’Hiver the opulent and rich scent with almost invisible sweetness.
As all Volnay perfumes, Brume d’Hiver includes the traditional base 4092, that consists of powdery notes, rose, vanilla and clove. This base makes Brume d’Hiver warm and very attractive and gives this perfume the powdery and a little vintage character.
In this perfume, the base 4092 is complemented by other expressive notes. Violet makes the powdery sound of Brume d’Hiver brighter, while the note of heliotrope gives this fragrance its impressive floral-fruity scent with delightful sweet nuances.
Henry Gervex, Five Hours at Paquin’s, 1906
The base of Brume d’Hiver perfume also consists of the strong woody accord including Oud wood, Rosewood, and Vetiver. This accord brings to Brume d’Hiver the evocative and powerful character, that becomes more obvious in the last phase of the opening of this fragrance.
Labdanum gives this perfume its deep, enveloping and ambery scent, that is complemented by the sensual and vibrant note of musk. The exotic note of cypriol (papyrus) brings to Brume d’Hiver the warm and a little spicy scent.
Brume d’Hiver Volnay Parfums is the beautiful and sophisticated perfume. It is the fragrance of contrasts, where the tenderness of flowers meets the expressiveness of woods, where the vintage powdery accord acquires the modern character.
Despite the name and the freshness of top notes, this perfume is not cold.
Instead, Brume d’Hiver will envelop you with the most tender cloud and will warm you during the coldest winter day.
This perfume has something that will never go out of fashion among people who are always in the search for elegance and timeless beauty.
Notes: Bergamot, Elemi, Juniper Berries, Jasmine, Rose, Oud Wood, Incense, Violet, Heliotrope, Musk, Vetiver, Labdanum, Rosewood, Cypriol, Base 4092.
If it were a place, it would be a beautiful apartment with a vintage furnishing.
If it were a color, it would be soft violet with gray.
If it were one word, it would be exquisite.
It was my perfume review of Brume d’Hiver Volnay Parfums, and I hope you enjoyed it.
If you want to compliment my work, you can Buy Me a Coffee. I appreciate your support.
You can also find and follow me on Instagram and Pinterest.
