Velvet IrisPowdery Floral Eau de Parfum

Velvet Iris by Essential Parfums is a niche floral, powdery, leathery eau de parfum, unisex, created by Dominique Ropion.

The perfumer takes center stage

Essential Parfums is a Parisian house founded in 2018 by Géraldine Archambault, which turns the usual logic on its head: the perfumer's name is on the bottle, and the creation takes precedence over the packaging. Its approach can be summed up in one sentence: "simplicity as the ultimate luxury". For every nose, the house provides the same brief: create a unisex fragrance around an inspiring natural raw material, with complete creative freedom — here, iris. By limiting packaging and marketing expenses, the house reinvests in the raw materials: its formulas contain between 86 and 93% ingredients of natural origin and are vegan. Refillable 100 ml bottle.

An opening of tamarindo, agathosma and pink pepper

Tamarindo opens with a tart, candied note, while agathosma — South African buchu — brings a green and sulfurous facet. Pink pepper brightens the opening.

A heart of iris, iris root and lentisk

Iris unfolds as a green and fresh flower, while iris root brings its buttery powder. Gum ferrule and lentisk establish a green resin.

A base of Saffiano leather, rockrose and sandalwood

Saffiano leather — named after the Italian grained leather — brings its tanned warmth, rockrose its amber resin, and sandalwood its creaminess.

The house's signature

Iris is used TWICE: the flower and the root. These are two different scents — the flower is green and fresh, the root buttery and powdery after years of drying. Bringing them together is what gives the perfume its depth, and it is the most literal interpretation of the house's brief: one raw material, explored in all its forms. The Saffiano leather in the base brings a warmth that contradicts the coolness of the heart. An iris that lasts, which is rare.

For whom, for what occasions?

Floral, powdery, and leathery, this eau de parfum is for those who love iris or want to discover it in a wearable version. It is at its best from autumn to winter, both in the evening and at the office. It is also available as a 150 ml refill.

With Velvet Iris Essential Parfums, the same plant is explored as both flower and root.