The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Ricci Ricci Reflets Mysterieux arrived in 2011 as a limited edition successor to the original Ricci Ricci from 2009. Where the firstRicci Ricci established the character, this version digs deeper into new dimensions of it. The name says it all, Reflets Mysterieux means mysterious reflections, and the mirror-effect bottle was designed to prove the point. Nina Ricci wanted to capture something that shifts when you look again, something that reveals a different face depending on the angle. The rhubarb was the signal that this wouldn't be another safe floral. This was the house going somewhere unexpected, pulling on a thread that fans of the original might recognize but couldn't predict.
The structure here is classical chypre, bright opening, floral heart, earthy base, but the rhubarb disrupts the expected. It brings a green, slightly tart quality that feels more like a kitchen garden than a perfumery. Angel's Trumpet, also known as datura, is the quiet radical in the heart. Night-blooming and slightly narcotic in its natural form, it adds a hint of the exotic without reading as loud. The rose keeps it undeniably feminine. The patchouli keeps it grounded. What could have been straightforward becomes something with edges, romantic but with a cool note running through it that refuses to be ignored.
The evolution
The opening announces itself quickly, the rhubarb is tart, bright, almost green enough to sting. It doesn't ease in. That mineral coolness lingers while the florals start to bloom beneath it, the Angel's Trumpet adding something slightly exotic, slightly warm. The rose arrives, soft and classical, but it's never allowed to take over. The patchouli has begun to ground everything. The florals recede. The earthy warmth stays. On the drydown, it's patchouli doing the work, dark, intimate, close to the skin. The sillage can be strong and even enormous at times, commanding attention when you least expect it. It's a fragrance that rewards close acquaintance, revealing new facets the longer you wear it. It maintains a loyal following among enthusiasts who appreciate its intimate character.
Cultural impact
Ricci Ricci Reflets Mysterieux occupies a particular niche in the landscape of limited edition releases. The mirror-effect bottle catches light in a way that stays with you, becoming a distinctive piece for those drawn to unconventional flacons. Its availability has been constrained, making it a point of interest for collectors and enthusiasts seeking something outside mainstream offerings. The fragrance itself presents an unusual green note within a romantic context, a combination that distinguishes it from more conventional floral compositions.
