What was the one fragrance that started your journey? Maybe it’s the first one you picked up as a youngster? Or maybe something you smelled on your father uncle or grandfather when you were younger? Something you sampled in a department store perhaps that stood out more than anything you’ve ever smelled? For me it was Prada Paradigme. I was working in the press box of my local independent league baseball team. One of our celebrity co-owners came in for an in game interview on the TV/Radio broadcast and MY GOODNESS as soon as he stepped in the room filled with an aromatic aura of elegance! I never got to find out what his fragrance was as he was in and out very quickly and I was swamped with work. But that experience peaked my interest in finding something that I can use to help me smell good and feel good. Not long after, I found myself at Nordstroms sampling everything I could before I experienced nose fatigue, hoping I can find what it was he was wearing that night. I never did find what it was but I did take note of many other fragrances I tried that tickled my fancy. Prada Paradigme was at the top of that list so I saved up the little extra money I had and bought a 100ml bottle as soon as I could. Since then I wanted so many more as I watched a lot of fragrance content and learned about the olifacfory pyramid, different notes and accords, and communities like this one. One thing I’m very thankful I found was the world of clones/dupes/inspired by’s. As someone who is on the lower end of the income spectrum, all the fragrances I wanted seemed so out of reach until I learned about these. Now I feel like I can match a fragrance with my budget and have a well rounded collection I am very happy with and that continues to evolve with my taste and knowledge on the subject. What was your “Gateway Fragrance”?

Merakái Bliss is my introduction to the well-regarded niche house of Patek Maison and one of its (allegedly) best fragrances. It plays on the same field as Roja Elysium with better longevity: opens with the almost obligatory citruses with vetiver, lavender, cedarwood and vanilla at the mid and base. This is a gorgeous fragrance with quality ingredients that could be a year-round signature scent.