Description

ART 07 – ROSA DEL DESERTO / ROSE OF THE DESERT

On one of my several visits to Saudi Arabia, during the beautiful spring month of April, I was very lucky to visit one of the oldest cities in the world, Taif in the Al Hadi Mountains, 2000 metres above sea level and overlooking the Holy City of Mecca. It was just at the time when the roses were being harvested. Many local, small farmers cultivate the Ward Taifi rose, and this gave rise to the region once being called Arabian Rose. The Ward Taifi rose belongs to the family of the Damascenia Rose and in very early times was already being used for the production of the purest rose water. There are documents dating from the 10th century which refer to the centre of rose water in South Persia.

I was staying at a small hotel in Taif and one morning got up early to experience the harvesting of the Taifi rose. The flowers are painstakingly picked by hand before sunrise. The fresh rose petals are immediately taken to a small, local distillery where they are weighed and the farmers are paid straight away in cash. It was an amazing experience and I have a wonderful photo where I am submersed in Taifi rose petals. “Rose of the Desert” is my tribute to the Taifi rose and my memories of an unforgettable morning with the queen of all flowers.

A very unique, powerful and exhilarating feminine, floral, Oriental complex dominated by the absolute scent of the Taifi rose. It opens with a sparkling, fruity accord followed by refreshing, aqueous green notes. The core of the fragrance is a very rich floral bouquet in which the Taifi rose, lotus-flower, Arabic jasmine and magnolia are perfectly balanced. The Oriental touch comes from the dry down, developed from both balsamic and precious ambergris notes, frankincense, and vanilla and tonka beans. The very sophisticated musk accord completes the creation giving it radiance and making it long-lasting.
Art 07 Rosa del Deserto was launched in 2014. The nose behind this fragrance is Arturetto Landi.