The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Julia Rodriguez created Gourmand Vanilla & Iris in 2023 for My Perfumes Select's Earth Edit Collection. The name says everything: this is a vanilla that isn't afraid of iris, and an iris that doesn't disappear into the background. The fragrance opens with a bright, spicy cardamom burst that quickly gives way to reveal the powdery floral character waiting beneath. Vanilla absolute weaves through the heart, bringing warmth and richness without ever becoming dominant. The combination creates something unexpected, a dialogue between sweet and cool that keeps the composition dynamic and alive throughout the wear. It's the kind of pairing that proves two ingredients can create more depth together than either manages alone.
The cardamom opening sparks before the powder settles in, and from there the fragrance becomes a negotiation between warm and cool. There's an unexpected tension here that elevates the composition beyond what either note could achieve alone. Vanilla absolute rises through the heart, weaving together with the floral elements to create something cohesive and surprising. Patchouli anchors the base with earthy depth, grounding the sweeter notes and preventing the fragrance from floating away into abstraction.
The evolution
Cardamom opens bright and spicy, a lively introduction that announces the fragrance before the composition shifts. Then the iris arrives, bringing its powdery floral character into focus. As the top notes recede, the heart opens up to reveal vanilla absolute intertwined with the iris, each note supporting the other in unexpected ways. Patchouli anchors with earthy depth, providing a foundation that keeps the composition grounded rather than allowing it to drift upward. Ambergris adds salt, a reminder that even the warmest fragrances have skin. The drydown reveals vanilla becoming more prominent as the woods and earthiness linger, creating a soft finish that stays close to the skin.
Cultural impact
The 2023 launch of Gourmand Vanilla & Iris brought cardamom, iris, and vanilla into a single composition for the first time in this collection. This pairing joins a broader landscape of contemporary fragrances exploring the intersection of powdery florals and gourmand warmth. The fragrance has found appreciation among those who seek something that bridges traditional fragrance categories, offering both the comforting sweetness of vanilla and the refined elegance of iris in one bottle.
The House
My Perfumes SelectMy Perfumes Select is a niche fragrance house based in the United Arab Emirates, drawing inspiration from centuries-old Middle Eastern perfume traditions. The brand positions itself as a contemporary voice within that legacy, creating what it describes as bold, lavish odes to the art of fine perfumery. Its catalog spans gourmand orientals, floral jasmines, and musky compositions, released across 2021 and 2023. The brand maintains an active presence on Instagram under the handle @myperfumesselect, where it shares its aesthetic and brand philosophy with followers. The house is among independent designers, documenting its fragrance lineup and community engagement.
The Creator
Julia RodriguezRodriguez specializes in oriental compositions, gravitating toward ambery woods, resinous smoke, and heat-retaining bases that develop over hours of wear. She treats oud, benzoin, and saffron not as exotic accents but as architectural elements, building fragrances that unfold…
