The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Sempre Desobediente takes its name from the question that has defined Quem Disse Berenice since 2012, "Who said?" The brand built its identity on provocation, naming itself after a classic Brazilian song about refusing to follow the rules others write. Jacques Huclier composed this fragrance to embody that spirit of defiance. The bubblegum liqueur accord, blended with Anjou pear and the boldness of patchouli, creates something that feels both familiar and unexpected, sweet enough to remember, stubborn enough to last.
The heart of this fragrance lives in an unlikely pairing: bubble gum and licorice flower. One is pure childhood nostalgia, the other anise-sweet and slightly medicinal. Together they create a tension that keeps the wearer guessing. Iris brings its powdery elegance, orange blossom adds clear floral warmth, and the whole heart section sits on a base of vanilla and patchouli that refuses to let the sweetness get too cute. Cashmeran adds a soft, enveloping quality that extends the sillage without filling the room.
The evolution
The opening hits bright and fruity, pink pepper sparks against the sweetness of Green Anjou Pears, with Star Jasmine adding a creamy floral layer that lifts the whole start. The heart is where the story shifts. The bubblegum liqueur accord arrives unapologetically sweet, but it's held in check by iris powder and orange blossom freshness. Then patchouli enters. Not loud, but insistent, the boldness the name promises. The drydown settles into vanilla warmth, softened by cashmeran, grounded by cedar. That lingering trace on skin the next morning. The bubblegum and patchouli together are what make this fragrance worth wearing, sweet with an edge, floral with structure.
Cultural impact
Sempre Desobediente arrives in 2024 as a continuation of the brand's ongoing conversation about defiance and self-expression. The bubblegum liqueur accord, sweet, nostalgic, and unexpectedly bold, captures something essential about Brazilian fragrance sensibility: warmth without preciousness, playfulness with real depth.
The House
Quem Disse BereniceQuem Disse Berenice emerged from Brazil in 2012 as a fragrance and cosmetics brand under Grupo Boticario. The name itself carries cultural weight in Brazil, referencing the classic 1950s song by Dolores Duran that poses the question 'Who said, Berenice?' The brand positions itself as a provocateur within the beauty space, inviting consumers to challenge conventional assumptions about makeup and personal expression. With a cruelty-free commitment certified by Cruelty Free International, Quem Disse Berenice offers a portfolio of fragrances that blend playfulness with Brazilian sensibility. The collection spans releases from 2012 through 2024, including standout entries like Frescor de Lichia and Amor na Amora.
The Creator
Jacques HuclierJacques favors a modular approach, starting with a clear anchor – often a synthetic heart that offers precision. He layers natural extracts around that core, letting ambergris, vanilla, or cedar provide warmth.
