The Top Note | Vol. 8 — Love Ballad
Image Credit: The Taliaferro Archives
The Top Note | Vol. 8 — Love Ballad
Community · Luxury · Art · Perfume
Welcome back to The Top Note — your weekly fragrance letter from The Taliaferro, sent every Thursday evening. This week we explore love stories, legacy scents, and the poetry of community.
Opening Note
It’s funny — he told himself he would never marry a younger woman, and then he met her. He felt like Dr. King and she seemed like a Coretta, so he went for it.
Her soul had a scent that was unfamiliar but pleasant — riveting even.
On a stage in front of many, she reads four words out loud on a card that he personally wrote for her, and she answers those four words with a “yes.”
Shortly thereafter, she became Lady Taliaferro.
— Story of Sir and Lady Taliaferro
Featured Fragrance: Reparations
Simply put, Reparations is one of the most elegant and poetic purchases you can make in conjunction with the constantly debated topic of reparations for Black Americans.
This scent carries a subtly sweet and “metallic” aldehydic quality — gentle, refined, and softly arresting. It is part of our Juneteenth Collection, where a new fragrance is released each year in honor of Juneteenth. Reparations was our second release, and we look forward to more clients experiencing this scent and the stories behind this collection.
Client Spotlight
“This scent has me in a CHOKEHOLD!!! Absolutely stunning — the notes blend so nicely together, it's smooth. That strawberry note though, pure FIRE!!! Every time I wear this I get mad compliments. Longevity and sillage is insane on my skin — it lasts all day. This is one I never want to be without. Gotta buy a backup soon. What I love about the fragrances by Taliaferro is the uniqueness of them, I stand out in a crowd of Baccarat 540's and Delina's (no shade) 😏”
— Bethjuna F.
The Blend: A Royal Wedding & a Signature Scent
When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were preparing for their 2018 royal wedding, one of the most intentional details was the fragrance. The historic perfume house Floris London, established in 1730, created a bespoke scent inspired by their Bergamotto di Positano blend — a bright, romantic mix of bergamot, orange blossom, ginger, and green tea.
Why does this matter? Because fragrance is part of the ceremony. It anchors the moment, seals the memory, and becomes part of the love story. Just like a royal wedding scent is chosen to reflect a couple’s spirit, your fragrance can become a private marker of romance, legacy, and the moments that mean the most.
Community Connection
Special thank you to the guests of The Scented Social!
We wanted to take a moment to thank all the guests who attended our annual gathering this year in Hackensack, NJ!
We had a jam-packed evening of poetry, jazz, live performances, and a signature vanilla drink that became the crave of the night.
There was so much joy, excitement, and anticipation in the atmosphere.
And guess what the name of the mystery fragrance is?
Bonjour!
This fragrance was named by a lady named Faith, who felt like the fragrance spoke “Bonjour” to her heart.
“The name Bonjour means ‘hello’ in French, and this fragrance truly lives up to its name. It offers a warm, welcoming presence in every room you enter—without you having to say a word. Bonjour is delightfully easy to express aloud, yet even more captivating in its long-lasting scent that stays with you for hours.”
This new scent will be available for purchase soon — stay tuned for the fragrance launch date and details!
📽️ Watch the event recap on Instagram →
Closing Note
“What a difference a true love made in my life
So nice, so right…
Loving you gave me something new that I’ve never felt, never dreamed of…”
— L.T.D. & Jeffrey Osborne, “Love Ballad”
May love find you, center you, and carry you with grace.
— The Taliaferro Family
Want to read more issues of The Top Note? Browse all volumes in the archive →