One of the niche houses I grew to adore when I first discovered the world of niche perfumery was Ramon Monegal.
Being a novice back then, I longed to experiment and test as many aromas as possible, to find that perfect balance between notes. I was searching for the perfect perfume - one that I would wear, rather than it wearing me; a scent that was versatile yet seductive, diaphanous yet filled with personality.
That was when I discovered Lovely Day. It came into my life when I least expected it, and I loved it from the very first moment! Then came Cherry Musk, Cotton Musk, Impossible Iris, and also Umbra, which became Tiberiu’s signature fragrance. This was all happening back in 2015 and 2016, when I was still at the beginning, when the only reviews being written were on Fragrantica. I didn't know much, but I wanted to embrace it all, to know everything, to absorb every piece of information and every scent - to merge with them until they became a part of me.
That piece of me from ten years ago stands here today, writing about Monegal - a house that became the cornerstone of my passion for niche perfumery, a passion that began in 2013 and still continues, metamorphosing every single day. For my own soul, and for all of you who read my words!
In Romania, the niche house of Ramon Monegal - known today simply as Monegal - had a beautiful journey, but one that has now come to an end. Despite being fragrances steeped in history that promise unforgettable olfactory memories, they can no longer be found here. Yet, through myself and my beautiful collaborations with the house of Monegal, I wish to bring them here to you, so you may discover them through my words, my experiences, and my deepest emotions.
This article is a rather special one, as it is not merely a review, but a spotlight brought upon a house rich in history - a prominent name in niche perfumery.
For this endeavor, I collaborated with my friend, Radu Florin, who provided me with all the necessary information to launch this documentary-style article.
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THE HOUSE OF MONEGAL – BETWEEN HISTORY, TRADITION, AND THE CONTEMPORARY SPIRIT
Perfumer Ramon Monegal was born in Barcelona in 1951 and belongs to the most important family of perfumers in Spain. He is a member of the fourth generation of the founders of Myrurgia - a company designated as an official supplier to the Spanish Royal House - with Ramon standing as its most prominent representative.
His training began in 1972 at Myrurgia, where he was introduced to essential, mythical raw materials such as infusions of ambergris, tonka bean, musk, castoreum, civet, and iris. From the very inception of his career as a perfumer, Ramon Monegal began to develop the concept of the olfactory image, which he continues to enrich and cultivate to this day. His sensitivity, meticulousness, and the sheer zeal with which he prepares his creations in all their phases and facets naturally led him to become involved in the conceptualization, design, and communication processes as well. To acquire expertise in these fields, he complemented his architecture studies with a course at the Barcelona Design Center in 1977.
Ramon Monegal created his first fragrance, Alada, in 1979. It quickly transformed into an unexpected success for Myrurgia, a perfume house founded in 1916 by the Catalan sculptor Esteban Monegal Prat. Myrurgia always reflected artistic passion through its carefully crafted products. Bohemian glass bottles, exquisite presentations, and an endless attention to detail made its creations a resounding success. From that milestone onward, Ramon took over the creative leadership of the business for more than 20 years.
In 2007, he embarked on the project he had always dreamed of: creating his own fragrances, reaching the public directly, and signing his creations as a true artisan perfumer. After 40 years in the profession, having become a master perfumer and an authentic "nose," Ramon Monegal’s challenge became to achieve absolute excellence and to pass his knowledge down to the fifth generation. Perfume can only rise to the level of art when accompanied by the absolute freedom of the creative mind.
In 2009, Ramon brought his cherished project to life: a collection of authentic fragrances created by him as a master perfumer, alongside the opening of his own showroom - ust as perfumers did in the golden age, long before the era of mass production.
Today, Ramon operates his own specialized atelier dedicated to the blending, maceration, production, and quality control of his fragrances. He works with the true freedom that only luxury provides to achieve genuine art - setting no limits on his imagination and utilizing the most precious essences to convey timeless feelings and emotions with that signature Mediterranean passion and pathos. Through this, he reclaims timeless craftsmanship as a natural, authentic path to artistic creativity. He allures, seduces, and surprises, creating pleasure, desire, and magic. Furthermore, Ramon decodes the language of scents and, as a teacher, proposes deep olfactory messages pulled from his vast collection of original compositions.
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SCENTS WORTHY OF BEING KNOWN AND LOVED
As I mentioned above, my story with the house of Monegal began ten years ago. Those were the most beautiful years, filled with searching, enthusiasm, and fervor. There were perfumes that I discovered and in which I discovered myself; there were aromas that I loved, which carried me toward memories, places, and emotions I will never forget. And, of course, there were perfumes that dressed me, allured me, and completed me.
I started with Lovely Day, then Cherry Musk, Cotton Musk, and Impossible Iris - all of them clean, floral fragrances with an aquatic touch, that Mediterranean touch that I adore. I don't know if I ever told you, but Barcelona is one of my soul cities, which I visited eleven years ago. Meanwhile, Umbra and Ambra de Luna were Tiberiu’s favorites - he went through three bottles of Umbra; it was one of his signature scents.
Over time, I began to love different kinds of perfumes. More fruity, more vibrant, seductive, and sensual. That is how my love for Flamenco was born. Because I love both the passion and the Spanish fire, but also the dance. And this perfume has always reminded me of Dalida’s song, Flamenco. I love the perfume, the melody, and Dalida herself.
Then, the house of Monegal left Romania, and I was no longer able to try their fragrances. A rupture occurred, but I always lived with the hope that they would somehow find their way back to me.
And behold! This spring, Monegal proposed a collaboration. Perhaps for other content creators, it was just another collaboration, but for me, for my soul, it held a completely different meaning!
THE STORY OF #LOVEREACTION
That is how my love story with #lovereaction was born - a superb fragrance from the IBIZA collection. #lovereaction is the perfect perfume for me, appearing exactly when I was searching for the ultimate cotton candy scent!
It simply found me at just the right time. Sophisticated and alluring, yet carrying a bright and playful vibe, #lovereaction is the exact kind of fragrance you can easily fall in love with. You will want to wear it again and again and again, because it is utterly captivating and seductive. And not only that, it is definitely a perfume that will garner many compliments and wrap you in a state of well-being that stays with you all day long!
The fragrance opens with notes of bergamot, jasmine, and cedarwood, but vanilla, caramel, and cotton candy immediately take center stage - these notes are so delicious that it is impossible not to adore them. The sandalwood in the heart notes brings a subtle creaminess to the perfume, while the oakmoss and cedar slice through the sweetness just enough to balance it. In the base, a fine, powdery, and creamy musk blends flawlessly with the mouthwatering gourmand notes. It is a fragrance that smells like summer, like sunshine and pure happiness; it smells like Barcelona and my infinite love for the sea.
MATADOR – THE LATEST RELEASE FROM MONEGAL PERFUMES
I had been longing to test Matador ever since I first saw the bottle - pink and black, my absolute favorite colors - and the name captivated me instantly. Spain is one of my favorite countries, and it immediately brought back the deeply moving moment when I visited a bullring in Valencia for the very first time.
MATADOR – A COMPLEX AND ECLECTIC CHARACTER
Matador is not an easy fragrance, nor is it a powdery pink or a diaphanous scent. Matador possesses a striking personality; it is bold, perhaps even a bit daring, which is something I deeply appreciate. Matador - how I adore this name! It instantly makes me think once again of Dalida’s song, Flamenco, a track I have already told you I love completely. This perfume is a beautiful contradiction, as if multiple styles and facets are superimposed within it, creating a fusion of emotions, feelings, and aromas. Matador is, without a doubt, a complex and eclectic character. It intrigues you, it draws you in, yet it intimidates you!
It conquers and allures you, leaving you its beautiful prisoner, for there is no escaping the captivating, seductive aroma that holds you tight.
The fragrance opens vibrantly with juicy, succulent notes of sweet pear, masterfully juxtaposed with the spicy kick of cumin and the balsamic warmth of olibanum. At its heart, we discover a bright pink rose - passionate and sensual - alongside the exotic touch of passion fruit, creamy magnolia, and delicate jasmine. The base of the perfume is creamy, featuring notes of coconut, sandalwood, and a soft musk. However, what I feel most prominently in this fragrance is the leather. Even though it is placed in the base of the olfactory pyramid, the entire perfume is built around this leather note! It is as if the leather is the central character, and around it, the matador's story is born - filled with warm, sweet nuances reminiscent of sun-warmed skin, and floral shades that symbolize victory, the passion of the bullfight, as well as the courage, strength, fortitude, and masculinity of a matador.
The perfume itself is rich in nuances, accords, and symbols that reveal the very image of a brave matador emerging victorious. It symbolizes triumph, passion, and mystery - life vibrating through the veins, pulsing blood, a beating heart, the sweetish scent of pure adrenaline, and yet, the profound sensitivity and emotion that linger behind the arena walls. It is truly a unique fragrance - a leather scent interwoven with fruity, floral, and warm-spicy notes, simultaneously creamy, velvety, and touched by tropical-exotic nuances.
Every day, I discover its shifting beauty - never the same, always different - just like me! I could easily say it is a daring fragrance, perfect for the fire signs: Aries, Sagittarius, and Leo!
And with that being said, I want to thank the house of Monegal for these aromas, emotions, and inspiration; my friend Radu Florin for the precious and meticulously gathered information; and, of course, Tiberiu, who is my partner in this beautiful story. You can find Monegal fragrances on their official website, www.ramonmonegal.com, and I urge you to experience them - both for their sheer beauty and for the rich history of the house, especially if you are a passionate connoisseur.
