Mona di Orio Jabu: Perfume Review

The latest fragrance from Mona di Orio, Jabu, is attached to a great cause. It has been created for The Orange Babies Foundation, a Dutch charity that helps HIV-infected women and babies in Africa and supports children infected with the virus or otherwise directly affected. Jabu means "joy" and cites among its inspirations such heartening motives as children's laughter, exalting beats and African winds. Mona di Orio's trademark intensity seems to be toned down in this new creation. Jabu, with its bright notes of orange blossom, petit grain and rose, is as vibrant as one came to expect from the perfumer, but it is also soft. Rather appropriately, there is something childlike in the sweetness of its creamy manoi and ylang-ylang, its velvety sandalwood and its delicately powdery benzoin...a certain, abstractly edible quality makes the fragrance incredibly lovable. Although not as forceful as many of di Orio's scents, Jabu is still deep and luxurious. Under that charming fluffiness one senses complexity. The base of raw, mushroomy-smelling myrrh and ripe plum is quirky and rich. The perfume has a satisfyingly solid feel and is very long-lasting. When you try it, see if you will also get the "lacquered box" accord somewhat along the lines of the one in Bond No 9's Chinatown. I find it fascinating and Jabu as a whole, with its vivid softenss with a twist - captivating and delightful. Jabu premieres in September at Pitti. It is my hope that the scent will then be available to order in or from the States. Mona di Orio brand is in active search of a new US distributor, so fingers crossed. For more information about The Orange Babies Foundation, please, visit orangebabies.nl