For me, the 1980s evoke images of bold fashion, big shoulder pads, mullets, catchy synth music and neon-hued interiors. This era exuded intense energy, confidence and relentless optimism, inspiring me to create Ultra.
At the heart of Ultra, the narcissus shines. Its rich, radiant character captures the vibrant spirit of the decade. However, the flower's name and its narcotic and intoxicating aroma also hint at something darker, recalling the Greek myth of Narcissus — a cautionary tale that was most likely lost on the hedonists of the decade.
Narcissus Absolute has a rich, intoxicating scent, with crisp green top notes and accents of tobacco and hay. Narcissus absolute is very powerful and long-lasting. A little goes a long way. It is produced from flowers harvested in Lozère, France. It is extracted using a 100% bio-sourced, biodegradable solvent. It is a first of its kind.
Ylang ylang oil has an exotic, floral scent with delicate fruity nuances. The ylang ylang tree is native to the Philippines, but it is mainly cultivated in Madagascar. The ylang ylang used in Ultra comes from the Comoros Islands, where the flowers are harvested and transformed into essential oil under ethical and sustainable conditions, with strict traceability.
Labdanum resinoid is an amber note that is both balsamic and resinous with slightly smoky, leathery and animalic facets. It adds warmth and richness, and is a fantastic natural fixative. Labdanum is a shrub that grows wild in many parts of the Mediterranean basin. Nowadays, most labdanum is harvested in southern Spain. During the summer months, the shrub secretes a gum to protect itself from the intense heat. This gum is further distilled into the resinoid.
Did you know?
Absolutes are generally extracted using synthetic solvents. However, the narcissus absolute in Ultra is extracted using a 100% bio-sourced and biodegradable solvent. This is the first of its kind. There are so far very few absolutes extracted using this method. In any case no solvent remains in the finished material. Narcissus absolute is very costly. The current price of the narcissus absolute used in Ultra is €15000/kg. Because of the high cost, it is not common for perfumes to contain real narcissus absolute.
