Perfume Review: Antonia's Flowers Sogni del Mare (Dreams of the Sea)

Sogni del Mare (Dreams of the Sea), the new perfume from Antonia’s Flowers, is said to have been inspired by Antonia Bellanca’s home in Cape Cod. It is a delicate, wistful scent that manages to evoke the sea without being aquatic. It makes me think of romantic lighthouses, old white mansions, with which sad ghost stories are associated, and gardens with blossoming trees…of a place by a cold blue sea, in spring or in early summer. The top notes of Sogni combine the green, mouthwatering tanginess of wild rhubarb and the sweet tartness of black currant buds. The subtle fruitiness in the beginning of the scent’s development is very enjoyable for this hater of fruity fragrances. I love the piquant undertone that rhubarb brings to the composition, and the black currant buds and leaves smell as fresh as if I was rubbing them in my hands. The lotus that begins to blossom in the heart of Dreams of the Sea smells sweet, watery and earthy at the same time. I usually have troubles with wearing scents with a prominent lotus notes. Like lily, lotus tends to be metallic and headachingly heady on me. Here it is gentle, a vision of an ethereal flower bud, only starting to open its dazzling petals. As the scent progresses, it grows a little sweeter, the fruitiness becomes more pronounced. I smell juicy, ripe blackberries and black currants. The impression that Sogni del Mare leaves is that of lightness, freshness and nostalgia. There is something strangely old-worldy about it. It makes me want to wear a long white dress, white gloves and a hat a la the end of the 19th century. To stroll by the sea holding a white umbrella, day-dreaming naïve, romantic dreams. Sogni del Mare costs $60.00 for 1.7oz. It does not seem to be available yet at antoniasflowers.com, but probably will be in the near future. Image source, allposters.com.