A Fragrance Debut: 1st Femme at Elements

by: John Biebel

An enjoyable aspect of the Elements Showcase is to see brand new fragrances debut as the first offering of a new venture. Such is the case with the perfume 1st Femme. It is an eau de parfum that takes its name from the idea of firsts – a first kiss, a first job.  “…a first date with your longtime crush, your first taste of authentic Italian pasta from the family-owned restaurant in Sicily.” It’s a fragrance that captures the hope and aspirations behind such “firsts” for a young woman, but it also travels along with her on these excursions into a life both new and tinged with hopeful nervousness.

As a concept, the fragrance works very well, opening with a very bright halo of white and green notes, effervescent. It moves quickly into an extended middle period of yellow and white florals: freesia and jasmine. A base of vanilla, which has a milky and woody character, supports it. It finishes softly with a return to the greenness of the opening, mixing comfortably with the sweet and woody aspects of the base. It has solid projection and great longevity – a spray on a card lasted well over 2 days and still had a discernable scent.

What intrigues about 1st Femme is it’s frankly adult character. Although its initial sweetness might appeal to a younger crowd, this is clearly a perfume for a young woman who will be taken seriously. It is something that she can wear on the subway, in the start-up workspace, or at a meeting. Touching it up later, it could easily work as an evening scent, too. Its versatility was clearly a part of its design.

And yet in it, there is an undeniable revisit to femininity, and done so with a gentle hand. The combination of jasmine and freesia accords is smart, as they represent perfume trends associated with different age groups. Jasmine is often used in more adult perfumes, freesia with younger women. Paired together, they are an ambitious commingling for a modern ingénue.

1st Femme is an artisanal perfume designed in Italy, handcrafted in France, and bottled in USA. Its international background is perfectly fitting with its aspirations as a fragrance for the “global, sophisticated, intrepid, first-class woman.”

1st Femme is currently available on its site and select boutiques.

Images: John Biebel