A new perfume arrival from Neela Vermeire Creations (NVC) is highly anticipated and for good reason. Neela’s  fragrances are  evocative, touching and let’s not forget they scream quality. There are now  seven perfumes in the line including Trayee, Mohur, Mohur Extrait and Ashoka.  Plus there’s Bombay Bling, with that hit of juicy mango. It’s pure, radiant joy and happiness in a bottle and never fails to make me feel good and lifts the spirits when a little hit of something extra is required. I really never want to be without this jewel of a fragrance. There’s also Pichola, a lush white floral and one of my fragrance picks in 2015.  Neela’s perfumes are inspired by India and each offers a unique take on an era or place. So what have Neela and perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour conjured this time around for the magnificent seventh?

I met Neela at Pitti Fragranze in September and she revealed that a French influence makes an appearance in new perfume  Rahele (traveller) via a tale of travel and exploration for its inspiration. In the 17th century three Frenchmen travelled to India and wrote about their experiences. Jean – Baptiste Tavernier (Les six voyages), François Bernier (Travels in the Mughal Empire, AD 1656-1668)  and Jean Thévenot (The travels of Monsieur Thévanot into the Levant) were the three travellers. Apparently Les six voyages is still  an important work and all three are considered social historians of their time.

Rahele EDP : Neela Vermeire Creations : Nose : Bertrand Duchaufour : 2016 : Category :  Notes : Osmanthus, woody notes, floral notes, herbal notes, Indian spices, leather, oak moss (according to Fragrantica)

Neela said that Rahele  would offer something a little different for her range. After spending some time with this new fragrance I believe she’s correct in that assessment. Rahele is one of those fragrances that takes a while to get to know  especially if you’re on more than good terms with the other perfumes in the NVC range. This is because it stands slightly apart from the previous scents. Rahele is a little softer, less spiced and feels more gentle.  The French connection is also more pronounced in this creation than the Indian, with less reliance on spice and the big bang oriental factor.

The more I wear Rahele,  I’ve come to enjoy the nuances as they unfold. The osmanthus that unfurls is fresh, sweetly pretty and deepens quite quickly. It warms and builds in texture as other florals enter the fray, including a whiff of rose. There’s a touch of fruit too with an apricot like infusion, more jam like than fruit. Sometimes it has a semblance of plum too. Soon after, a lightly layered leathered effect is apparent. Don’t think hardcore leather here, it’s much gentler, more like a slightly roughed up suede but still with a lovely floralcy. There’s also a delicate touch of spice, that I wager could  be saffron and cinnamon. As Rahele floats on, there’s more than a hint of oakmoss and sandalwood providing a slightly dusty base that feels just right for autumn’s cooler days.

Above all Rahele is an elegant perfume with a smoothness that I enjoy, with no nasty bumps or chemical scratches. This is for those who love to wear classic perfumes that tell a story. It also has a quality that marks it out as an accessible entry point to the line.  With an ease of sophistication and a French sleekness that sings at a quieter level than what we may be used to from NVC, Rahele  is a perfume of unexpected pleasures, that sneak up on you when you’re least expecting. Take Rahele with you and enjoy, like songs from the road.

The Low Down : A smoothly elegant and refined osmanthus rich perfume with leather and oak moss for the road. 

Read more about Rahele on :  Chemist In A Bottle and  Australian Perfume Junkies.

For where to purchase : This perfume is not yet available but will launch worldwide in January 2017, although it may be available in some boutiques before then. Please see the Neela Vermeire Creations  website for further details. It will be priced at 205 Euro for 60ml and will not be available in the Take Two format on release. 

Notes : Images : Featured Image by Mario Testino in Vogue Paris, November 2016 : Rahele promotion shot by Neela Vermeire : NVC at Pitti Fragranze and sample of Rahele by Megan In Sainte Maxime.

Disclaimer : Sample gratefully received from Neela Vermeire at Pitti Fragranze. Opinions my own.