The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Rose Struck began with a restlessness. Liis explored an unusual pairing: matcha and rose, a combination rarely seen in mainstream perfumery. Blackcurrant and tangerine amplified the fruit, creating a bright, alive quality at the top. The result was a rose that felt contemporary. The green tea note brings an astringent quality that tempers the sweetness without destroying it. There's an edge to this rose, something unexpected that keeps it from settling into familiar territory. It's a composition that holds its ground, distinct from traditional rose fragrances without rejecting their heritage entirely.
The green tea sits at the heart of Rose Struck, a bridge that tempers the sweetness of blackcurrant while allowing the damask rose to emerge. The rose that develops is clean and realistic, quietly confident. It doesn't announce itself. Instead, it unfolds gradually, maintaining its presence without ever becoming aggressive or overwhelming. The combination creates something that feels both grounded and nuanced, a rose composition that avoids the obvious in favor of something more considered. It simply holds its ground for hours, subtle but persistent.
The evolution
The opening is tart and immediate, blackcurrant and tangerine arriving together, the kind of brightness that makes you lean in. Within minutes, the green tea introduces itself: cool, present without dominating. The rose arrives as a natural continuation, not as a rescue or a transformation. By the drydown, the composition settles into something clean and intimate. The rose remains, softened, more transparent, held close to the skin. It lingers with quiet persistence, revealing new facets as hours pass.
Cultural impact
Rose Struck offers something different from traditional rose compositions. The addition of green tea as a heart note, an unusual choice in any rose fragrance, sets it apart from the start. Rather than leaning into smoky or oud-heavy territory, it moves toward clarity and brightness. The combination of green tea and rose creates a profile that feels modern and unexpected. It's a different kind of rose, one that appeals to those who might otherwise avoid the note entirely.
The House
LiisLiis is a California-based niche fragrance house co-founded by Alissa Sullivan and Leslie, two friends who spent a decade building their creative partnership before launching their debut collection in 2020. The brand takes its name from their shared middle name Lisi, a detail that speaks to the personal intimacy woven into every aspect of the house. Liis makes eau de parfum designed for proximity rather than projection, scents that reveal themselves to those standing close rather than announcing arrival across a room. The collection spans woody, floral, and aquatic compositions, each developed with a restrained hand that prioritizes nuance over spectacle. Based in California, the house operates with the calm confidence of makers who understand exactly what they are doing and why.
The Creator
Jérôme EpinetteEpinette's style can be described as modern and sophisticated, with a focus on natural ingredients and clean lines. He has a knack for creating fragrances that are both wearable and interesting, often incorporating unexpected elements to add depth and complexity.
