In the Heretic’s Garden, nocturnal flowers reign supreme as Mother Nature’s most enigmatic treasures. Hidden under the veil of darkness, they seduce us with their intensely narcotic scents. Evolved to attract pollinators that are active at night such as the evocatively named Flying Fox Bat or the Death’s Head Hawkmoth, these botanical beauties thrive in the moonlight and attract man and creature alike with their pale, luminous petals and hypnotic fragrance. Their mysterious flowering cycles have intrigued scientists for centuries, adding to their allure, as is their ephemeral presence—many of these fleeting florals last mere hours, creating a sense of urgency and wonder.
As perfumers, we are also enchanted by these nocturnal blooms because of how powerfully they symbolize transformation, hidden beauty and the lure of the unknown. They remind us of the magic that flourishes in shadows, capturing our imagination with their intoxicating scents and ethereal glow. And we are not alone; for millennia, nocturnal flowers have been cherished for their symbolic and spiritual significance – from Daoist and Buddhist devotees using them as metaphors of impermanence, to Amazonian Shamans selecting certain varieties for their psychoactive properties to create a bridge to the realm of the gods.
NOCTURNAL TUBEROSE
Nocturnal Tuberose – Polianthes tuberosa – is steeped in mystery and allure. Its creamy white blossoms unfurl after sunset, releasing a heady fragrance that has been prized for centuries within the art of perfumery. Revered for its association with forbidden pleasures and the exploration of the subconscious mind, its intoxicating fragrance is said to promote heightened intuition and usher in profound emotional connection and eroticism. The lush, floral and almost narcotic scent of Nocturnal Tuberose is beautifully balanced by the delicately uplifting, bright and honeyed notes of orange blossom. Jasmine adds a touch of rich and exotic sensuality while velvety, softly green gardenia conjure both depth and radiance to this slightly spicy bouquet. Like the Lovers card, this transporting fragrance invites us to explore our inner world and embrace the magic found in choice and the unknown.
NOTES
Top: Neroli, Linalool, Sichuan Pepper
Middle: Tuberose, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine, Rose, Gardenia, Orange Blossom
Base: Ambrette Seed, Vetiver, Cistus
PERFUMER
Douglas Little
ABOUT THE BRAND
Heretic – one who does not conform to the ideals or opinions of the masses; one who follows their own path.
Created in 2016 in New York by Douglas Little, Heretic Parfum is a fragrance house with a mission to show the provocative side of naturals and the dirty side of clean.
Based on the mysterious, sensual and feral aspects of nature, Heretic began with a conscious choice to do things a little differently. The fragrances in the line are all plant based, made up of a blend of essential oils, concretes and absolutes, blended with non-GMO safe synthetics and alcohols to create challenging, unapologetic, visionary scents.
“Natural fragrances are much like wine in that you can detect nuances of the plant, the soil, and its surroundings. They have characters that cannot be achieved with synthetic copies. These fragrances are alive, they create an olfactory fingerprint” – Douglas Little.
As Heretic boldly disrupts the status quo of the fragrance industry with their radical transparency, their fragrances delve into the esoteric world and the realms of homeopathy, ayerveda, and herbology.
All Heretic Parfum fragrances are cruelty free and vegan, and range from 100% natural to 47% natural.
