Liquides Imaginaires – Tapis Volant – Sky-high garden 9/10
You know a perfume is good when you can’t keep your nose off your wrist or hand. Tapis Volant, more than any other recent release, has that effect on me. Of course, it made my top 10 niche scents of 2019, cementing a place in my mind Liquides Imaginaires is a house to watch. They have several other excellent releases worth checking out, but that’s for another time. Quentin Bisch and Nisrine Bouazzaoui Grillie with Tapis Volant have composed a compelling scent worthy of your attention.
Billed by the house as a “suspended silk garden in the clouds,” “a golden oriental carpet caressed by the sky,” Tapis Volant opens airy and earthy with a vegetal carrot seed note, hints of bergamot and a slight rush of aldehydes. The aldehydes and bergamot are more apparent on paper than on skin. The carrot seed note is the most prominent of the top notes on my skin.
Before too long, the main powdery florals of jasmine and iris come into play and begin to take over the composition. The earthy, powdery orris is the dominant note, but as I’ve worn it more, I’ve certainly picked up more jasmine and even a leather accord that weaves its way into the mix. The superb airy, floral interplay between the rooty orris and spicy, musky, green jasmine does a convincing job of conjuring up images of sky-high gardens, flying carpets and silken veils.
The dry down of Tapis Volant is silky and creamy with base notes of sandalwood and tonka. I get 10 plus hours of longevity with moderate projection for the first few hours. It wears a little heavier than a skin scent, or even a second skin, and it’s certainly more substantial than something similar like Fleur de Peau. A dreamy, airy, earthy iris, it’s one flying carpet I’m always happy to take a ride on. Brilliant work from Quentin Bisch and Nisrine Bouazzaoui Grillie.
Quick Notes:
Launch Year: 2019
Perfumers: Quentin Bisch and Nisrine Bouazzaoui Grillie
Top notes: Bergamot, Aldehydes, Carrot seeds
Heart notes: Cold spices, Iris, Jasmine
Base notes: Musk, Vetiver, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean
Longevity: 10 hours plus
Projection: Moderate for 4 plus hours.
Season: Can be worn all year round, an inoffensive scent suitable for many occasions, not least of all the office.
Price: 100ml EdP, $299 AUD
Alternatives: Diptyque Fleur de Peau, Narciso Rodriguez Pure Musc For Her, Prada Infusion d’Iris.