Wit and West La Valse courtesy of Wit and West
Valse is the French word for waltz.
The French composer Maurice Ravel was intrigued by the disintegration of the waltz form and envisioned La Valse set in the Imperial Court of Vienna in 1855. He called La Valse “a choreographic poem…a sort of apotheosis of the Viennese waltz…the mad whirl of some fantastic and fateful carousel.” (From the George Balanchine Trust.)
La Valse was intended to be the waltz to end all waltzes. La Valse seems to be a rose fragrance to end all rose fragrances.
Whitney Swales courtesy of the brand
Whitney Swales, ballroom dancer and natural perfumer for Wit and West describes the story behind La Valse as a dance of grace and elegance transporting you to a different time. The waltz was scandalized and beloved due to its extravagant turns and close embrace. The very nature of the waltz allowed for affection, conversation, and perfume to be shared only with one’s partner.
Wit and West La Valse courtesy of Wit and West
Wit and West La Valse opens with a sharp, spicy, yet sweet pepper that is balanced to perfection so as not to be overwhelming with too much of a bite. Then, gliding with delicate steps, it wisps and dips me into the roses: Rose Bourbon, with its warmth and vibrancy and rose absolute with its honied and heady with a touch of spice are brilliant flowing partners.
La Valse bronze by Camille Claudel via wikiart
After the lovely and elegant rise of the pepper and rose, I then drift into the finale with the last movements of this perfume. Whitney’s artisanal vanilla tincture adds sweetness and its close embrace is supported by longevity, endurance which is intriguing in a natural perfume.
Photo istock
La Valse deserves a deep, and graceful bow.
Notes: Black Pepper, Bourbon Rose, Rose Absolute, Vanilla Bean Tincture, Patchouli, Benzoin.
Disclosure: based on a sample generously sent to me by Wit and West when I purchased a bottle of Violetear.
Opinions are my own.
Sandi Lundberg, Contributor
Sample set of the Reserve Collection
Thanks to the largesse of Wit and West Perfumes, we have a draw for The Reserve Collection Sample Set (includes 3 x1.5 ml samples of the Reserve Perfumes: Gardenia ‘Ono, La Valse and The Violetear for one registered reader in the U.S. (contiguous 48 states) only. You must register. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what strikes you about La Valse based on Sandi’s review. Giveaway closes 1/9/2023
All photos belong to Wit and West Perfumes unless otherwise noted.
Whitney Swales was the 163rd American Perfumer in our ÇaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery Series
Wit and West The Violetear was reviewed by Rachel and received two best of scent awards from Sandi and Rachel
Please read Rachel’s review of Wit and West’s Brumaire Woods
Wit and West was featured in Steven’s video 3 American Indie Brands You Should Know
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