Basenotes Member's Wardrobes: #1 - Mimi Gardenia

In a new series, we feature the Perfume Wardrobes of Basenotes Members. Who better to begin with than Mimi Gardenia? Mimi has been a member since 2008 and has the rare distinction of having her own Mimi Gardenia Appreciation Page. She is based in the US.

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Without giving away your identity, tell us a bit about yourself - what area do you work in, what kind of life do you have?

My passion is yoga and yoga dance. I have a very international life it always feels like Im packing to go away again.

How often do you wear perfume? Why is fragrance important to you?

I think anyone who reads Basenotes regularly knows I change my perfumes sometimes up to three times a day ! Mostly, if I do, I choose scents that layer well together or scents that will not dominate for the entire day. Suffice to say, I am never without some kind of fragrance!

That second question is loaded! I cannot think of anything else I can carry with me throughout the day, on my person, that is so close, personal and speaks so much about myself or how I feel - without revealing everything! Fragrance for me can be a mood setter, a mood booster, time travel to memories and a way to express yourself, project yourself, your personality, in a subtle way. Fragrance for me is sensuality and art in a bottle.

Looking at your Wardrobe Collection, I'd say you're quite a fan of the classics, would that be correct?

Yes, the classics are the foundations of modern perfumery, to me. The classics came from a Golden Age. The connotations of the classics are quite different from the modern, in my opinion. The classics say things differently, speak of different eras, thoughts and yet are still available to us today in the form of an aroma. Fragrant portraits from the past that are relevant today. Thats cool.

What are your favourite recent releases?

• Serge Lutens Vitriol dOeillet (I simply love the clovey carnation)
• Diane by Diane von Furstenberg
• Bottega Veneta
• Amber Oud by Kilian
• Oud Eau de Parfum Intense by Mona di Orio (This one blew my mind)
• Caron Accord 119

Tell us about your penchant for Shalimar - you've got the EDT, EDP, Vintage and new Extrait. (Is there a similar thing developing with Mitsouko....?)

I have a huge love for many of the Guerlain heavyweights - LHeure Bleue, Mitsouko , Shalimar, Vol de Nuit. They enchant me as they are all fragrances that seem to be personifications. Each has a character, a history, a story and a personality. Even within the different concentrations and versions of each perfume, they are a little different and yet the same. Its fascinating. For example, to truly know Mitsouko, you should seek all concentrations and if possible smell the vintages or older formulae.

Interestingly, in the case of modern day Mitsouko, I find that the Eau de Parfum is a truer representation of Mitsoukos character than the new Edouard Flechier parfum extrait. I think if you are deeply passionate about a scent, it drives you to discover all of it. Its a way to make the scent alive for me and learn of all the facets of one treasured scent.

I have different concentrations of other perfumes too. Most of the time they are not radically different, but its most definitely worth playing around with several concentrations to see which you love the best and which suits you (Especially with the Houses of Guerlain and Chanel eg. Chanel No.5, Bois des Iles )

Pure perfume extrait is usually the most accurate character of a fragrance, that the perfumer is trying to present to the wearer-it is the original scent which is why I often go for extrait. (As well as the one's I've mentioned already, Caron extraits are simply divine). Parfum extrait seems to be out of favor with many modern perfume houses and that saddens me.

You're known for helping newbies, what advice would you give to somone starting out on their perfume journey?

Dont stop being a fragrant newbie its the only way to learn. After several years of fragrance immersion, I am still a newbie - we never stop learning and we cannot know everything. Im just a newbie whos just been learning/smelling a little longer, thats all.
Immerse yourself in smelling everything you can classics, niche, natural perfumes, oil. Its so exciting when one is a complete newbie - a whole Disney like world opens up! Challenge your nose with sampling. Buy samples first and decants before you commit to a full bottle. Try not to blind buy full bottles and if you have to, get the smallest size!

Read the excellent perfume blogs and perfume reviews out there eg. Helgs Perfume Shrine, Denyse Beaulieu s Grain de Musc and Victorias Bois de Jasmin.

Engage other members of Basenotes for help and advice.

Keep an open mind about what you are sampling.

Your taste in perfume may change in the future - something you despised may become a favorite later !

The Kick you may find yourself attracted and obsessed with particular notes youre on a kick .

If we were to send you to a desert island (you are allowed to choose which one!), which three perfumes would you take with you?

Bora Bora- send me there! Only three perfumes for survival one needs at least 10! This is the skeleton crew I would take

• Vol de Nuit in parfum extrait
• Mitsouko - cant decide between extrait and EDP ..
• Chanel No .5 in extrait.
• (I really want to take Joy and Bois des Iles parfum extrait too )

With thanks to Mimi Gardenia! If you would like your entry in MY WARDROBE featured. Please message Lila Das Gupta.You can see Mimi's Wardrobe here