By Sandra

I really did not want to tell you about another exclusive perfume which will be impossible to get your hands on. I really did not. But then, the sample fell into my lap and I have had the opportunity to wear this beautiful perfume for a few days and I just knew that I had to write about it.

Spanish niche perfumer Ramon Monegal created an exclusive perfume solely for the legendary New York department store Bergdorf Goodman which is supposed to embody the feeling of being at Bergdorf’s and in Central Park in the springtime.

Fragrantica lists the notes as follows: „Sophisticated and refined, the fragrance opens with sparkling citrus and fruity top notes, coupled with a tender floral heart of tea rose, violet, lilac and orange blossom, and dries down to a unique blend of oak moss, licorice, vanilla and musk.”

Name aside (honestly it leaves neither nothing or too much to the imagination), Very Private is a wonderful entry into the Monegal line and it is such a shame that it is so exclusive.

Very Private opens up quite juicy and it is delectable. The citrus fruity opening is almost tangible because it is so pulpy. It is as if I am sitting down at Bergdorf’s and eating a stunning fruit salad, full of oranges, star fruit, and mangoes. These are not the notes, but this is the image that comes to mind. The opening is invigorating and refreshing giving me a kick start for the day.

This stage lasts for a good half an hour before it starts to evolve into a more floral bouquet. Tea rose is intertwined with violet, I smell violet leaves which makes it slightly green, if only for a fleeting moment. The tea rose is as described – tender and exquisite. The florals dance and mingle for a good hour or two on my skin before the final stages of the perfume enter center stage.

Now, I have never been to Bergdorf Goodman and cannot attest to what it may be like to their customer. (Editor’s Note: What???? How can that BE??? You must go there asap!)

I have however been blessed to visit Central Park. Perfumes can be described in colors, emotions, events, and places. Central Park in the springtime is magical. The rebirth that bursts forth with all the pale colorful blossoms is what Very Private embodies. This is the image of empty park benches covered in pink petals which have fallen from the still full cherry blossom trees. Very Private is the colorful outburst of the blooming crabapple trees, and the bright pink flourishing dogwoods. Central Park is bright, fresh and colorful luring me in after a deep dark and cold winter. I am beckoned to start yoga, start jogging or simply start walking after being holed up indoors. I breathe in the fresh air and inhale deeply.

After all of my energy has been spent in the park in the afternoon I am exhausted and in need of a short repose under one of these blooming beauties with my back on the ground and my feet straight up on the trunk of the tree so that I can peer through the pinks, lavenders, whites and greens to see the deep blue sky. Very Private now has become a personal perfume. It envelopes me with a subtle vanilla musk drydown slightly reminiscent of the florals that got me so excited. I am in heaven.

The perfume lasted a good 10 hours on my skin.

If you happen to be able to get yourself to Bergdorf Goodman please give this a try. It is beautiful. I just wish I were going to New York in the near future.

Senor Monegal, I implore you, please stop making these exclusive perfumes so difficult to come by. Please make them more accessible so that we can all enjoy your beautiful work!

Image source: inhabitat.com