The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Les Soeurs de Noe was founded in France in 2019 with a clear mission: to transform personal memories into elegant, story-driven fragrances. Call Me Iris originated from a recollection shared by founder Nadia Benaisa, who remembered the iris blossoms edging the hedges of her childhood garden in Brussels. When perfumers Jerome Epinette and Pierre Wulff were tasked with translating that memory into scent, they approached it not as a literal recreation but as an emotional reconstruction. The fragrance had to feel both fresh and intimate, capturing the contradiction of a garden that is simultaneously open to the sky and enclosed by hedgerow.
The pairing of orris root with vanilla and fir reflects a specific philosophical stance: the brand wanted the fragrance to balance freshness and warmth rather than committing fully to either. Orris root offers a natural bridge, being simultaneously floral and resinous, powdery and grounded. The vanilla amplifies its sweetness, while the balsam fir keeps the composition from becoming soft or indistinct. The result is a fragrance that reads as both clean and intimate, appropriate for contexts that demand elegance without formality.
The evolution
The fragrance opens with a burst of lemon and bergamot, a deliberate choice that mirrors the crispness of morning air in a Belgian garden. Pink pepper enters quickly, adding a subtle warmth that hints at the spice of crushed iris rhizome without literally replicating it. This opening phase is designed to feel immediate and clean, setting a tone of quiet confidence. Over the next hour, the heart of orris root takes center stage, bringing its characteristic powdery, floral character forward while frankincense lends a resinous, contemplative quality beneath it. By the three-hour mark, the drydown arrives: vanilla provides a gentle sweetness, while balsam fir grounds the composition with its cool, resinous, evergreen presence. The fragrance finishes intimate and lasting, a memory that stays with you rather than announcing itself.
Cultural impact
Since its 2021 debut, Call Me Iris has been noted for reviving the iris genre with a modern, citrus‑spiced edge. Reviewers often compare its airy opening to Byredo’s Gypsy Water, while its powdery heart recalls classic French iris compositions. The fragrance has found a niche among those who appreciate a fresh take on floral‑woody scents, becoming a go‑to for spring garden outings and understated daytime events.
