50ml
50ml
MARISSA ZAPPAS
VIOLETTE HAY
Eau De Parfum
Unisex
Sizes
Starting
$175
Description
Violette Hay by Marissa Zappas offers a modern interpretation of the classic violet, moving beyond traditional powdery associations. It opens with a distinctive blend of carrot seed and coriander, setting an earthy, slightly spicy tone. As it develops, a heart of violet, saffron, and apricot emerges, lending a nuanced floral sweetness that's neither overly sugary nor overtly fruity. The fragrance settles into a comforting base of suede, hay, and musk, creating a soft, velvety texture that evokes a sense of pastoral nostalgia and quiet intimacy. This isn't a loud scent; rather, it's a personal and discreet composition that feels both tender and grounded. Perfumer: Marissa Zappas
Scent Profile
Floral
Powdery
Musky
Hay
Suede
Spicy
Fruity
Earthy
Notes
Top Notes
Carrot Seeds
CorianderMiddle Notes
Violet
Saffron
ApricotBase Notes
Suede
Hay
MuskAbout 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 Violette Hay as a unique and versatile scent, particularly suited for spring and autumn day wear. Many find it evokes a sentimental, almost childhood memory quality, appreciating its distinct blend of violet, hay, and suede. Some perceive it as a dark, moody, or melancholic fragrance, while others experience it as soft, pixie-like, and golden.
Pros
Unique Composition: Reviewers highlight the distinctive violet, hay, and suede blend as a standout feature.
Versatile Appeal: It's often recommended for versatile wear during spring and autumn days.
Enchanting Development: The combination of nutty carrot seed and apricot, softened by violet, saffron, and suede, creates an enchanting and comforting experience.
Cons
Moderate Performance: Some users note that the fragrance has moderate longevity and sillage, with a few finding it to be weak.
Subjective Interpretation: While some find a prominent hay note, others report not detecting it as strongly.
Comparisons
Similar to Jo Malone Poppy & Barley: One reviewer was inspired to try Violette Hay due to its perceived similarity to Jo Malone's Poppy & Barley.
Vibe & Emotions
Sentimental and Emotional: Many reviewers connect the scent to nostalgic or emotional childhood memories.
Otherworldly and Enchanting: It's said to evoke a feeling of peering into a fairy garden, leading to an otherworldly trance.
Nostalgic and Grounded: The fragrance is described as a nostalgic, textured scent that feels both tender and grounded.
Dark, Moody, and Melancholy: Some experience a darker, moodier, and even melancholy vibe, with juicy, wet fruits.
Soft, Pixie-like, Natural, and Golden: Others find it soft, pixie-like, natural, and golden in character.
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