50ml
50ml
50ml
MARISSA ZAPPAS
MAGGIE THE CAT IS ALIVE, I'M ALIVE!
Eau De Parfum
Unisex
Sizes
Starting
$190
Description
Maggie the Cat is Alive, I'm Alive! opens with a vibrant, effervescent pop of champagne and juicy peach, softened by the subtle, musky warmth of ambrette. As it settles, a sophisticated heart of powdery orris and delicate violet emerges, grounded by the earthy depth of oakmoss. The fragrance then evolves into a rich, animalic base where castoreum adds a touch of vintage drama, complemented by the radiant glow of solar notes, the comforting embrace of amber, creamy sandalwood, and a hint of earthy patchouli, creating a complex and evocative scent experience. This fragrance captures a dramatic, sun-drenched intensity, reminiscent of classic Hollywood glamour with a modern edge. Perfumer: Marissa Zappas
Scent Profile
Powdery
Floral
Woody
Animalic
Amber
Sweet
Vintage
Notes
Top Notes
Champagne
PeachAmbrette (Musk Mallow)
Middle Notes
Violet
Orris
OakmossBase Notes
Castoreum
Solar Notes
Amber
Sandalwood
PatchouliAbout MARISSA ZAPPAS
Marissa Zappas is a perfumer, scent designer, and poet based in New York City, whose ethereal and nostalgic fragrances blend fantasy, reality, the gothic, and the modern, drawing from her anthropology background and admiration for early 20th-century avant-garde perfumes. Her signature Redamance collection, launched in 2022, features olfactive portraits of overlooked historical women like Imperia La Divina, Ching Shih, and Queen Nzinga, using notes that reflect their eras, personalities, and environments to connect past and present through perfumery. What makes her unique is this poetic, anthropological approach, creating personal and collaborative scents that evoke history, death, and sensory transport.
Perfumer
Marissa Zappas
Marissa Zappas is a New York City-based independent perfumer, writer, and poet whose approach merges her anthropology background with admiration for early 20th-century avant-garde perfumes. She trained at Givaudan, starting as a receptionist and apprenticing under master perfumer Olivier Gillotin for two years before freelancing in 2017, and holds an M.A. exploring perfume's history, death attitudes, and cemetery construction. Her ethereal, nostalgic fragrances like Annabel’s Birthday Cake blend fantasy and reality, gothic and modern, often through collaborations with NYC artists and projects like co-founding Gumamina with Courtney Rafuse.
Reviews
Community Insights
Reviewers often describe this fragrance as a sophisticated and complex composition with a distinct vintage Hollywood aesthetic. It's noted for its powdery floral heart and a dramatic, evolving character that leaves a lasting impression.
Pros
Sophisticated powdery orris and violet: Many appreciate the elegant blend of these notes, contributing to a refined feel.
Complex, evocative artistic composition: Reviewers find the scent to be well-blended and thought-provoking, offering more than a simple wear.
Unique vintage Hollywood aesthetic: The fragrance successfully evokes a sense of old-school glamour and drama, appealing to those who enjoy classic styles.
Opulent, sweet, highly feminine wear: After the initial opening, the dry down is often praised for being rich, sweet, and distinctly feminine.
Transforms and lasts well: The scent is noted for its evolution on the skin and its impressive longevity.
Versatile for specific occasions: It's recommended for nights out, fancy dinners, and intimate, darker settings.
Cons
Challenging opening: Some find the initial spray to be quite strong and not for everyone, with one reviewer comparing it to hairspray.
Potentially old-fashioned: A few reviewers suggest it might lean too traditional or 'old-fashioned' for some tastes.
Subtle animalic/earthy notes: Certain reviewers mentioned that notes like castoreum and patchouli are not always easily detectable.
Comparisons
Similar to Lilac Dream: Reviewers have noted a resemblance to Lilac Dream, but with less greenness and a sweeter profile.
Vibe & Emotions
Fancy and sophisticated: Evokes the feeling of a well-dressed, confident individual, like a mentor or an elegant aunt.
Over the top, decadent, and dramatic: The fragrance embodies a theatrical and luxurious persona.
Sun-drenched beauty, longing, and anger: Inspired by Elizabeth Taylor's iconic role, it conveys intense emotions and a radiant, yet troubled, beauty.
Vintage feel: It carries an air of nostalgia and classic perfumery.
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