Above The Waves EDP 100ml

Discover Above the Waves, the first tea-inspired fragrance by Etat libre d’Orange.

The ritual of tea is more than a gesture – it is a way of reconnecting with movement, with breath, with life itself.

In honor of Mazu, the Chinese goddess who protects sailors, the spirit of movement, and the promise of elevation, this timeless ritual is translated into fragrance. A blend of two unique tea varieties, aromatic and fresh. It is a perfume that protects and uplifts, reminding us to take a step back, to rise above, to see the larger picture. Beyond the waves, beyond the elements, this is not just a fragrance, it is a companion for life’s journey.

NOTES
Top: Bergamot, Cardamom, Incense
Middle: Green Maté, Ceylan Tea, Rose
Base: Tonka Bean, Cedar, Vetiver

PERFUMER
Undisclosed

HOW IT WEARS
Beginning with the green piquancy of cardamom, as well as warm, lemony incense and bright, juicy bergamot, Above The Waves starts off smelling exactly like you’ve just opened a fresh packet of loose leaf tea – vibrant and complex. As it settles, you begin to pick up the earthy (but not bitter) tanins of the tea notes. Maté provides a sort of toasted greenery (perfectly complemented by vetiver) and the Ceylon tea is spicy, even a little floral, which is enhanced by just a little bit of rose. In the dry-down, crisp cedar grounds the fragrance without overwhelming it, and tonka bean rounds out any of the sharpness from the other notes. A perfect, tranquil tea scent that actually has fantastic longevity!

LORE LOVES
We are OBSESSED with Above The Waves at Lore. It’s everything you want from a tea scent – it’s complex, it’s earthy; but still has this airy, uplifting quality to it that makes it super wearable. To us, Above The Waves actually smells like the fragrant steam that comes off your cup of tea, with a little whisper of incense in the background. This is fitting, as Above The Waves is inspired by the water goddess Mazu. Mazuists also use tea in their worship of the goddess – tea rituals are performed in her honour as a way of asking for her protection before a maritime voyage.

ABOUT THE BRAND
Founded by Etienne de Swardt in 2006, Etat Libre d’Orange is an ambitious, audacious perfume house. Its name meaning “Free Orange State” in French, this is a house with an emphasis on originality, audacity, authenticity and freedom of expression. Each of Etat Libre d’Orange’s offerings is uncompromisingly surprising and knows no constraints in terms of creativity nor raw materials.
A perfumer for LVMH for many years before going rogue, Etienne de Swardt founded Etat Libre d’Orange with a view to turn the commercial fragrance industry on its head. Its launch certainly made waves, not only due to the raunchy fragrance names, but for the compositions themselves.
Read any review of Etat Libre d’Orange online and you will see a wide range of opinions, from disgusted to delighted, from aroused to inspired. We are obsessed with the daring whimsy of this fragrance house and so excited to have it at Lore!

FREE RETURNS
Love your fragrance or return it for free. Learn more about The Lore Promise here.