The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Wish Upon a Star is a Sebastiane fragrance that explores the tension between sharp and sweet. Robert Elder designed it as a study in contrast, pairing the sharp, almost medicinal bite of anise with the dark, jammy sweetness of blackberry. The anise opens with a Green, almost medicinal character that recalls black licorice, while the blackberry brings fruity, dark, wine-like depth. Together these notes create something fantastical without crossing into costume territory. As the fragrance develops, the interplay between the two becomes a kind of conversation, each note taking turns leading before yielding to the other. The overall effect feels like capturing that suspended moment before a wish lands, when anything still seems possible.
The choice of anise as a top note in a floral composition is unusual. Anise reads green, almost medicinal, think black licorice, star anise in a simmering pot. Here it opens against blackberry, which is fruity and dark, almost wine-like. The tension between them, anise's sharpness and blackberry's weight, doesn't resolve so much as dissolve into the heart. Magnolia is creamy, almost waxy. Violet is powdery, delicate. Together they swallow the anise within minutes, leaving something softer and more ambiguous.
The evolution
Anise hits first, bright, almost startling against the skin. Blackberries arrive simultaneously, their dark sweetness cutting through. It reads like a struck match near a fruit bowl. The combination lasts maybe ten minutes before both recede. Magnolia enters next, bringing a creaminess that feels like petals rather than perfume. Violet follows, powdery and light, adding a dusty quality that flattens the fruit into something quieter. The heart holds for two to three hours, longer than expected given the delicate opening. Then the base takes over. Grass and vetiver introduce a green, slightly earthy quality that grounds everything. Sandalwood lingers last, warm and woodsy, staying close to the skin for another three to four hours. By the end, it's intimate and low, the kind of scent you'd only notice if someone leaned in.
Cultural impact
Wish Upon a Star occupies a curious position among indie fragrances, not quite mainstream, not quite avant-garde. The blackberry-anise opening stands out for its unusual pairing, a sharp, green note meeting a dark, fruity sweetness in a way that feels unexpected. This kind of bold combination appeals to collectors who gravitate toward indie releases for their willingness to take risks that larger houses often avoid. The fragrance offers something distinctive without announcing itself loudly, making it suitable for someone who wants a unique scent experience that rewards close attention rather than demanding it.
