Karmic Hues Americana Collection: The Old West and the Poet

Karmic Hues is a newer house on my radar. Headed up by indie perfumer, Srivathsa Subramanian Sivakumar out of New York, who seeks to capture the raw beauty of nature in his creations. Srivathsa, along with co-founder Gagen, have released a new trio of fragrances based on their love for America, and possibly history as well given the themes of the scent. Chicago Poet, Cheyenne, and Damsel seek to capture the essence of the American spirit with every spritz.

Karmic Hues Chicago Poet:

Chicago Poet is inspired by Carl Sandburg, an American author who hailed from Illinois and won three Pulitzer Prizes. The fragrance is a mixture of dark resins, chocolate, dark roasted espresso, and some edible notes. This isn’t a sticky sweet gourmand, it’s dark and brooding, with an artist’s kiss.

“Liar, fool, dreamer, play-actor, Soldier, dusty drinker of dust–Ah! he will go with me Down the dark stairway” Carl Sandburg

Notes:
Blood Orange, Dark Chocolate, Davana, Espresso, Tonka Bean Absolute, Vanilla, Benzoin, Coconut, Tangerine, Green cognac, Elemi, Frankincense, Lily-of-the-Valley, Myrrh, Amber, and Musk.

Karmic Hues Damsel:

Damsel isn’t a damsel in distress. It’s a raw and rugged take on the women of the old west that paved their own paths. It doesn’t pull any punches, must like these frontier women that changed and did things the difficult way, while still maintaining their grace and splendor, much like the scent itself.


“Damsel, a fragrance for all Inspired by the fearless women of the old west Young outlaws of strength, with unrivaled grace Shaping the settlements with their controversial ways” Karmic Hues

Notes:
White Lotus Absolute, Pink Lotus Absolute, Frangipani, Osmanthus Absolute, Beeswax Absolute, Hyacinth, Bergamot, Yuzu, Neroli, Ambergris, Clove, Geranium, Sandalwood, Tuberose, Cypress, Benzoin, Ylang-Ylang, Oud, Oakmoss, Muguet, Cyclamen, and Vanilla.

Karmic Hues Cheyenne:

Cheyenne is inspired by the frontier cowboys and the places they trotted. Rain-soaked forests, ice-capped summits, and the noble steeds that braved the unforgiving weather with them. Loads of coniferous laden trees, dark woods, raw leather, damp earth, and aromatic tobacco are a few things that you will find when you saddle up for this ride.

“Cheyenne, is inspired by a place wild and free Where icy air and pine forests meet The river roars, a force to be reckoned with| As cowboys roam with horses in tow Reminiscent of the old frontier days A land of beauty, in Wyoming’s gaze Through wet mountain plain landscapes, they go” Karmic Hues

Notes

Pine, Cypress, Balsam Fir Needle, Copaiba Balsam, Black Hemlock Absolute, Hay, Tobacco, Oakmoss, Leather, Cedar, Rosemary, Anise, Castoreum, Soil, Amber, Grass, Musk, Sandalwood.

My first thought when I viewed the names and note breakdowns of each perfume is that they look a lot like vintage scents. You know those old school fragrances that had 25 notes? That is what I am referring to. I don’t think the brand is trying to hide any accords and wants to be transparent by seeing this, which is a big plus in an industry riddled with information that doesn’t always turn out to be truthful.

Two western scents is a bold play, that feels like it won’t be as popular as the heyday of western films, but it is needed. The fragrance industry does need a shakeup and I have high hopes for Karmic Hues and the creative approach from the perfumer.

The trio of new releases are already available on the Karmic Hues website. The bottles and sleek and rounded, with a minimalist, yet well designed label and a wooden cap. They come in in a 50ml extrait de parfum strength that will only set you back a mere $135 USD. I am unsure of any plans to launch these scents in other regions. I will be reviewing at least one of these scents, and I will see if the brand will offer any insight into that before I do.