Photo: Mathew Zucker
The delicate iris has inspired artists like Georgia O’Keefe and Vincent van Gogh partly for its aesthetic appeal and visual intricacy, but also as a euphemism for certain parts of the female anatomy. Iris Nazarea, the newest perfume by Aedes de Venustas, captures that dichotomy perfectly with a scent that is at once earthy, pretty, and straight up sexy. Just when you think you’ve got it pegged as a patchouli, hints of rose, juniper berry, and smoke sneak in and complicate things. The grey glass bottle with its gold atomizer and luxury price tag will also make you reconsider any bias you have toward the reviled hippie mainstay. This one is far too elegant for your average music festival.