Bistro Waters: A Colourful Review of D.S. & Durga’s Newest Release
D.S.& Durga is an indie brand from New York that believes in perfume’s ability to conjure unseen worlds. Very recently, the house announced the release of Bistro Waters, as the founders needed “a savoury perfume water on the fly!”
Founders David and Kavi (AKA D.S. and Durga) love music, art, nature and design told aromatically. “Our scents are fragments of half-remembered myths and imaginary landscapes that invite exploration.”
The pair bob and weave through the study of real-world objects, plants and places. Eventually personifying them as aromatic treasures.
These smells come to fruition through David. “He taught himself how to make perfume by immersing himself in all things fragrant,” explains the “Who What Why” section on their site. “Each fragrance is conceived and constructed by D.S. with no middleman or interpretation from an outside perfumer.”
Kavi on the other hand is in charge of everything design. Boxes, bottles, candles, air fresheners, the whole nine yards. If it had to be designed, at some point, Kavi had her hand in it. The duo comes together to form a partnership that shares their happiness and love for smells with their loyal fragrance fans.
Very recently, the house released Bistro Waters, a fragrance that I was lucky to receive in a package this afternoon. It came beside another box which I’m beyond excited to get into when the time comes around. But, I digress.
When you open your Bistro Waters menu, you notice the classic 1.5ml sample bottle resting inside of three square cutouts. Fairly common practice from brand to brand. What encapsulates said bottle is extremely creative and quite fun.
From cocktail recipes to dessert, an entire seven-course meal has been planned around this fragrance. It includes a peartini, wild mushroom consommé and a personal favourite of mine, jiggy stuffed bell pepper.
Once I finished reading and honestly attempting to picture some of these meals, I indulged in the fragrance. Instantly I was struck by so many different thoughts. Core memories flew by me, fantasies were drawn up and on a basic level, it was damn good.
At first smell, I was crumpled up into a ball and thrown across the globe to London, just in time for tea with royalty. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by men on horseback, women in flamboyant dresses and a rather dapper gentleman with an outstretched hand.
He shook mine, urging me to meet a man in the back. We walked through a palace filled with lovely spring aromatics. Clary Sage, Lavender and Pea Flower were in crystal vases on tables. To the left was the kitchen and while passing rapidly, I was able to get a deep whiff of Basil from the chef’s pizzette.
Once we walked through the doorway, I noticed a deep lawn with flora and fauna surrounding it. Out behind one of the trees emerged a man on horseback. He was wearing a royal blue suit, tan leather oxfords and appeared to have just shaven his face.
He dismounted the horse, letting it prance across the lawn in peace. As he walked towards me, I began to pick up on a distinct scent. Mandarin, Lime Waters Flower, Pear and Basil. It was hardly a cologne. More so a pheromone with natural touches that made the man seem as if he was a product of his environment.
Citrus trees stood out to the left and flowers galore danced in the wind. The smell of fresh herbs became more and more pungent as time went on. I eventually placed my nose on this scent and snapped out of this fantasy!
Bistro Waters by D.S. & Durga is a truly special fragrance made for those who enjoy the way fragrances can calm you down. Once I placed my nose on this scent, it almost put me to sleep due to how soft and relaxing it was.
The fragrance is subtle and gentle in all of the best ways. Right away you’re thrown this curveball of invigorating citrus’, infused water and spices. In the past, I’ve smelled scents where the spice overtook the freshness but David, you got it right. Oh, you got it so right!
It then transitions into a sweeter, more fruity freshness with the Pear popping in amongst Mandarin. The infused water accord still looms at this point, dancing around the same aromatics that make Margherita pizza so great.
It finishes its life in a noble way. Through and through, the scent stays fresh and somehow responsive. It seems to play off the notes that you find the most joy in, amplifying them and complementing them at the same time.
At the top, the brand says that Bistro Waters begins with Lime Flower Water, Coriander Seeds and Pear. It then transitions into Mandarin, Bell Pepper and Pea Flower in the heart. Finally, it finishes its journey with Basil, Nutmeg and Moss Water.
Bistro Waters is available on the D.S. & Durga website in two sizes. Each of which is equipped with atomizers, featuring the sleep black atomizer/cap duo and creme label. For 50ml David and Kavi are asking for $175 USD and for 100ml, they’d like $260 USD.
This fragrance is absolutely mindbogglingly good. The way it dances around its fresh, aquatic, citric and fruity facets is truly incredible. Although this fantasy had me picture this scent on a gentleman who was refined and distinguished, the fragrance is truly suitable for all.
