Michael Storer, Stephanie

(image from Michael Storer website)

Fragrance type: Floral 

Notes: “Here are just a very few of the notes it contains: Pink pepper, black pepper, galbanum, angelica root, sambac jasmine absolute, tuberose, and a touch of chrysanthemum for a crisp clean opening.” (Michael Storer website) 

Where can I buy it? Directly from Michael Storer’s website – 59ml (2 fl.oz.) for $85 US. (Available worldwide) 

Back in 2008, I had the privilege of interviewing niche perfumer Michael Storer for Perfume Critic. I had received a sample set of his fragrances to try before chatting with him, and I was (and still am) very impressed with the work put into each scent. They are all individual and spectacular – I highly recommend Michael’s sample set, which can be purchased from his website for $15 US including postage. 

Storer’s Stephanie, one of his ‘three sister’ fragrances, is, as he puts it “a highly realistic (the finest we’ve ever smelled) recreation of the headspace of the gardenia and is not for the faint-hearted.” Do I agree? Yes, it is an amazing recreation of the gardenia, and yes, it’s NOT for the faint-hearted. Stephanie is definitely not the shy sister – she is sultry, extroverted and packs a punch! Michael personifies Stephanie as an Ava Gardner-type siren. 

From what I understand, it is impossible (or near-impossible) to make an essential oil out of gardenia flowers. A lot of companies who make gardenia-scented products will use either synthetic components or a blend of other essential oils to create the aroma. [If I’m incorrect, please let me know!] 

What Michael Storer has done is the latter – used various scents to produce a fragrance that is meant to capture the essence of the gardenia. By blending florals such as chrysanthemum, jasmine and tuberose with peppers, galbanum (a gum resin) and other ingredients to give the wearer a true-to-life gardenia fragrance without the actual gardenia! 

As mentioned earlier, this scent packs a punch – it’s not a light, airy floral fragrance at all! Stephanie is perfect for people who love strength in their scents, yet still want a bit of the sultry aspect to their fragrance. This eau de parfum lasts quite a long time on the skin, and it projects beautifully off the skin. While I still like the Marc Jacobs-type gardenia fragrances, Michael Storer’s Stephanie is one of the scents I reach for if I want a realistic gardenia aroma...and if I’m feeling a little Ava Gardner-ish!

Disclaimer: I received this product for free from Michael Storer back when I worked with Perfume Critic. I earned no monetary compensation from the company. All opinions are my own.