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Mūre et Musc is a unifying fragrance which will appeal to any woman from age 15 to 60.

Mūre et Musc: It sounds so simple - just Mūre et Musc - blackberries and musk as the central accord of an iconic fragrance, but simplicity can be deceiving and when it comes to perfumery there is always more than meets the nose.

In truth, this emblematic perfume from L'Artisan Parfumeur is so much greater than the sum of its parts - it is more than just blackberries and musk.

Mūre et Musc was the very first perfume from L'Artisan Parfumeur - a house that birthed the very concept of niche perfumery, and for that reason, this fragrance, the very first niche fragrance, not to mention a trendsetter in its own right, is not only important from an olfactory perspective, but from a historical one too.

I often forget that L'Artisan Mūre et Musc is going to celebrate its 30th anniversary in just two years. Created in 1978 by Jean Laporte, the original L'Artisan Parfumeur founder, it became one of the first fragrances exploring the softness of musk with minimal ornamentation.

By incorporating a blackberry note, Mūre et Musc creates a perfect natural harmony, which hardly needs any other embellishments, save for the cool aldehydic mist in the top notes and the soft woods in the base.

The marriage of fruit and musk is as wonderful as tomato and basil pairing in Italian cooking. Yet, I find the minimalist refinement of Mūre et Musc to be more interesting from the artistic standpoint. My preferred version to wear is Mūre et Musc Extrźme, which followed the highly successful Mūre et Musc in 1993.

Mure et Musc became the small, but potent niche pioneer that took the visionary instinct of its creators and influenced hundreds of fragrances and products ever since.

Mure et Musc launched in 1978 based on two scents that would predominate the structure: musk and blackberry.

Feminine perfumes of the time were serious affairs of hundreds of different notes and complicated perfumer's bases, themselves comprised of several different ingredients. Discreet and gentle in contrast, Mure et Musc was almost hippy-ish in its innocent naivety.

By chance I began a friendship online, coincidences shared, loves, interests. A great synchronicity was discovered. We met, myself reluctant to start something illicit, yet intrigued.

I was immediately drawn to his faint scent, he informed me it was Penhaligon's English Blackberry, but no longer in production. Wanting to surprise him for his birthday I researched which led me to speaking with a lovely lady at Penhaligon's who informed me of the sister company L'Artisan Parfumeur and Mūre et Musc.

I ordered samples and we both fell in love, with the fragrance, and each other. A shared scent we can wear while lying together without fear of discovery. While wearing Mūre et Musc I delightfully feel my lover is walking beside me.

The scent of sun-heated pine needles blessed me to sleep. I am back in the summer practice with my colleagues in the Botanical garden of Varna, chasing butterflies and dragonflies in the afternoon sun trap, rolling over every stone searching for beetles and caterpillars, throwing silly teasers at each other and laughing so loud as if it was the funniest thing in the world.

Some time ago I found a perfume that reminded me of these days: Mūre et Musc Extrźme.Uncommon to me combination of tangy pine soap with a sprig of lavender and bergamot zest, an aftertaste of a handful of juicy wild blackberries and a fine animal musky trail.

L’Artisan Parfumeur don’t offer “extrźme” versions of all their fragrances. Consequently, I am extremely grateful that Mūre et Musc is among the elects, because the eau de toilette is desparately weak on my skin, despite of its perfect composition.

Equally successfully used by women and men, this elixir pours compliments to me like dripping ripe blackberries and sprinkling dry needles from the high pine trees. Everyone is wondering what I wear because there is not a similar flavor. At least not around.

My husband first discovered Mure et Musc while seated next to a friend from France. He was quite taken with her perfume during the evening. They discussed the perfume, the blackberry and musk component ....he was smitten.

A few weeks later for Christmas, she gave him her half-used bottle of Mure et Musc so he could enjoy it on me! Shortly afterwards, we went to Paris and headed straight to the perfumerie.

We both have been loyal to L’Artisan scents since that special evening, and although I enjoy other L’Artisan offerings,my heart belongs to Mūre et Musc.

Ashley Olsen from The Olsen twins referred this scent to me. I met them at Nobu restaurant in Los Angeles a very long time ago. That's how I knew about Mūre et Musc...

Some of the most brilliant innovations are also the most simple, and Mūre et Musc is a perfect example of this.

Jean Laporte created a "snapshot" of a scent in nature, and framed it against a backdrop that would highlight its every nuance but never overshadow its beauty.

It is this radical simplicity that allows an innovation like Mūre et Musc to be groundbreaking, but also timeless.

Mūre et Musc is an olfactory study in duality -- clean but soulful, youthful but sophisticated, cheerful but sensual, simple but profound. Its unfussy beauty and charm are suitable for all ages and genders, and it will shine in all seasons and situations.

I smelled it as a tester when I wandered I to the marvelous apothecary on Marylebone High St years ago. Its musky decadence evoked power and confidence, and some mystery.

I promised myself I would buy a full bottle when I played my first big gig (I am a violinist).

3 years later, I stopped into purchase a large bottle, on my way to play the Hammersmith Apollo.

The staff shared in my joy, and to this day the scent brings me ambition and pride, and still some mystery about what is to come next.