Washington Square
Washington Square Eau de Parfum Review
By Raphaella
One of the latest releases from the American perfume house Bond No. 9 is Washington Square Eau de Parfum, dedicated to this ”walk on the wild side” neighborhood of New York City. Washington Square Park is situated in Greenwich Village, a section of the city that has a well-known history of vibrant cultural activity. The star of Washington Square is, of course, the famous arch that was created 1889.
I recently walked the neighborhood of Washington Square and tried to envision the days of Henry James’s 1880 novella. I dreamt of New York City in that era and imagined living in one of those historic houses. This world-renowned New York neighborhood has recently undergone major renovations this past year, so it was only fitting for Bond No. 9 to celebrate its transformation by creating a fragrance for this iconic neighborhood.
My dear friend Beth Gehring, a professional writer and perfume aficionado (aka “addict”), called me this week, to tell me how excited she was to obtain a sample of Washington Square at her Sak’s in Cleveland. She raved about the fragrance and declared she wanted to write a review. Of course, perfume addict that I am, I ran to pull my sample. I cannot wait to read her review on Washington Square and I can see why she loved 
this newest scent. It is beautiful on me. I wonder now why I never took a moment to explore this recent release. Not all fragrances suit me and I cannot write about fragrances I do not love. I have to be moved in some way. The scent has to resonate deep within me. After all, what’s the point of wearing ordinary fragrances after you’ve experienced the niche explosion of the last six years?
The Bond No. 9 press release tells us that Washington Square “pairs the old-fashioned purple rose with tarragon, vetiver, and an unexpected leather accord.” I have to disagree with the word “old-fashioned”, because, once again, Bond No. 9 has managed to produce another modern rose fragrance, with a twist, so that it does not smell like a typical rose fragrance. This is no clone of Harrods Rose or the rosy West Side.
Washington Square, the eau de parfum, was created by Laurent le Guernec and it opens with crisp, vivacious rose overtones, but its true spirit and heart lie in the rose that mingles with a decidedly delicious herbal overtone. The notes of Italian bergamot, geranium, tarragon, purple rose, honey, vintage amber, leather accord, vetiver and musk make this scent a most unusual rose fragrance. It has a high concentration of rose, but what I find intriguing is that it takes on a clean fresh herbal scent. It would be sexy on a man as well as a woman because of the bergamot, amber, leather and musk.
The striking and artistic blue and silver bottle shows a contemporary version of Washington Square; people strolling, reading, enjoying the scenery. The photo-negative image is displayed in a filmy, faded blue, recalling the soft images found in antique daguerreotypes. This gorgeous and spirited rose perfectly represents the history of Washington Square.
Bond No. 9 Washington Square is available at Bond No. 9’s four New York stores and online at bondno9.com.
Bond No. 9 website www.bondno9.com
Bond No. 9 toll free number: 1.877.273.3369
Bond No. 9 New York Boutiques:
897 Madison Avenue (73rd Street) 212.794.4480
680 Madison Avenue (61st Street) 212.838.2780
399 Bleecker Street (11th Street) 212.633.1641
9 Bond Street (Broadway & Lafayette) 212.228.1732
Tags: bond no 9 reviews, Bond No. 9, Bond No. 9 BLOG, Bond No. 9 perfume reviews, Bond No. 9 Washington Square, Laurice Rahmé, perfume blog, perfume reviews, Perfumer Laurent Le Guernec, rose perfume, Saks Fifth Avenue; Boca Raton perfume, Washington Square Eau de Parfum Review
I absolutely LOVE Washington Square. Bond No. 9 has such beautiful fragrances. I currently own, Nuit de Noho, Success is a Job in New York, Lexington Ave and Chinatown. I also have many of the samples and look forward to more purchases in the future. Love BOND NO. 9 ALL DAY EVERYDAY!!!
Raphaella, you have done it again. As you know I also am smitten with rose fragrances. Additionally, I consider Rose and Leather to be a particularly sexy combination and universal working for both men and women. You have piqued my interest to the max. Thank you for another beautifully written review.
This sounds like a very unusual rose. Rose tempered by herbs and leather sounds interesting. Since leather is usually not something that appeals to me, my curiosity is piqued. Also, anything called Washington Square is worth a visit.
Raphaella, this is a beautiful review! I’ve been so crazy busy lately that I haven’t had a chance to sniff around, but I’m curious about this tarragon/herbal accord. Also, it’s been a long time! Thought I’d post.
Thank you so much for the wonderful comments!
Raphaella, this is a beautiful review! I’ve been so crazy busy lately that I haven’t had a chance to sniff around, but I’m curious about this tarragon/herbal accord. Also, it’s been a long time! I got your email this morning and thought I’d post.
Love the blog Raph and this post. Washington Square has enchanted me as well and I didn’t expect it to. It’s beautiful. I have fond ahem”older” memories of that area of the Village as well. Before gentrification. It’s still a great place.
Raphaella,
I am quickly becoming as addicted to your new blog venture as I was with the magazine! You write beautifully and make me want to test this fragrance, even though I’m not a big rose girl. However, I have found a few roses I love and I am anxious to find out if this will be another one. I’ll be checking with Cindy to see if she has a sample!
Tami
Jacksonville
Washington Square was one of the first places I went to in NY so I have a special place in my heart for it. I love the idea of pairing rose with herbal notes because it makes me think of all the variety one finds in the Washington Square area. The bottle looks amazing so I can’t wait to see it in person. Off to Saks to score a sample!
Such a compliment! Thank you so much, to everyone, for helping us kick off the new Bond No. 9 blog!
I am very curious to try this new rendition of Rose. Washington Square conjures up a free spirit, a place where everone who comes is transported back to their youth .
Rose night be associated with maturity but I like the musk patchouli drydown .. I am curiious truly. Raohaella you do write so well,
I would loce to try this new Bond scent !
Excellent description, Raphael! I do not get as much of the herbal note as you do but it’s beautiful, nontheless. However, Cooper Square was the winner of this pair of recent releases for me…especially when layered with the Bond No 9 Signature scent.
Washington Square smelled amazing on my sister. It was a near tie between Harrod’s Rose & Washington Square.
Will try next time when I will be in London!
Sounds delicious.
Exquisite review on an equally intriguing fragrance. The surprising rose-leather blend denotes an elegant smoothness, whilst the geranium, amber, vetiver, and other notes infuse Washington Square with rapture *.* Very provocative, evocative, and resonant. My favorite Bond No. 9, along with Saks New Orleans. I would enjoy familiarizing myself with this line, thans to this lovely description. Best Wishes, Jan.
Raph, I love, love, love Washington square. I believe that it is my Bond no9 Holy Grail. As you know, I own several Bond fragrances and fell in love with it at the Fall ball this past October. I crave it, I lust over it…oohh had a moment there! The fragrances lasts and lasts all day and changes many times into something more beautiful with each evolution. It is a must have fragrance.
Cindy Williams
In my youth, I used to hang out on Washington Square.
Ever since I received the very generous sample from the flagship store, I was smitten with it. I believe it most fitting for daytime occasions, summer and winter, and it has that special Bond No. 9 character – a rich, full, exuberance – just bursting out with roses and, yes, something of a herbal association…
Anyway, I love it; it is very elegant and one cannot go wrong.
love the botles and most of the scents.I wish you would put out body ceams in ilver Factory or New Harlem.Great customer service in all the stores I’ve visited.