If you’re a perfume fan then you can’t have failed to notice that the number of new releases every year continues to grow. An exact figure is impossible to calculate, but we’re definitely in the thousands rather than the hundreds. This is a far cry from the days when companies would launch a new fragrance possibly every three to four years, it now feels more like one every three to four months. So, finding “your” perfume amongst the noise can be an almighty challenge. Enter Fario who, with the release of their Autograph fragrance, have tackled the issue of originality head-on in their debut signature scent.
When we think of tropical plants and luscious gardens, we're often taken to places such as the Seychelles or the Côte d’Azur with their succulents and creamy florals. What we forget is that the United Kingdom is also blessed with incredible homegrown plants, flowers and shrubs. Trying to find damsons, or the Scottish primrose, outside of the UK is next to impossible. It’s these country-specific plants that inspired the various botanical gardens around the world and, while Kew Gardens is often first to spring to mind, it’s the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh that’s celebrated in Kingdom Botanica from Kingdom Scotland.
This week marks National Relaxation Day, which is held annually on August 15th. First celebrated in 1985, it’s a day when we are all encouraged to “slow down and unwind”, and “focus on taking care of ourselves”. The fast-paced lives that most people lead these days can make self-care a forgotten ritual, but we really do need to make an effort to find time for a moment of calm if we’re to win in the battle against daily stresses. That’s where the act of fragrancing our homes can play a big part, and C.Atherley’s new Mabel Grey-inspired Geranium No.3 Candle is the perfect scented antidote to the daily grind.
When Gorilla Perfumes closed the doors of their Islington store on January 22nd 2017, there was concern that their ground-breaking fragrances would also be locked away. Many perfume companies have disappeared over the years, and it’s not for want of trying, but finding a big enough customer base is the problem for many brands. Thankfully the perfumer behind Gorilla Perfumes was Simon Constantine, son of the founder of LUSH, and so the fragrances found a new home in the LUSH collection. There were many fascinating Gorilla Perfumes releases, but one of the most playful has to be the glorious Tank Battle.
The Amber family of perfumes is one that often finds itself relegated to the colder months, when its resins come alive under layers of coats and scarves, but there is so much more to enjoy if you just take the chance. Vanilla notes, sweetened woods, even some patchouli-laced cocoa; it’s all waiting to be discovered on warmed skin and under the fading sunshine. Admittedly finding the perfect balance of warmth to match every season can be challenging, but it’s been expertly executed under the skilled nose of Sonia Constant. Amber K is the latest addition to her Ella K collection, and the result is truly mesmerising.
There is no denying that the world of perfume is most definitely an expensive one to inhabit and, with most fragrances beginning in the realms of £100, that’s why the “dupe” market has gained such a foothold in the past few years. There obviously isn’t any defence for copying someone else’s work, whether that be a fragrance, a candle, or even a shower gel, but convincing the more modest-budget customers to try an original perfume can be a struggle. So, what if I told you there was a whole range waiting to be discovered? It’s time to take a closer look at Fragonard, and in particular Homme Élégant.
The recipe of emotions and inspirations that go into a perfume are equally as important as the ingredients that the perfumer chooses. This is because the direction that a fragrance ultimately takes can be a very linear affair if there is little substance to the background story. Unveiling these multiple layers is one of the joys of wearing a scent that defies convention because, just as you turn the pages of a book, the development of a perfume transitions from prologue to epilogue. The perfect example of this has to be Vianne’s Confession from 4160 Tuesdays, and it’s a scented story that has been waiting patiently to be told.
Perfume is often compared to music because of the similarities found in their creation and their make up. Whether you’re thinking about “chords”, “notes” or “accents”, the cross-over is easy to see. However, there’s another industry that also goes hand in hand with perfumery, and that’s the world of fashion. When you think about tailoring, the stitching together of multiple parts to create one complete garment could easily be compared to the mixing of multiple ingredients to create one complete fragrance. This is where we find ourselves with Brion Eau de Parfum Suave, the latest exciting perfume release from Brioni.
The word “traditional” is one that often gets mixed up with “heritage” when we talk about perfumes, because each harks back to a past time. The latter is more geared to a company or style, whereas the former can broaden out to encompass a particular scent or preparation. This idea of a “traditional” fragrance can easily be aligned to many that are still in production, and also those that have been discontinued, but there is one that has stood the test of time. Bay Rum is a perfume that has been enjoyed for decades, in both salons and at home, and The Dandy Gent is championing its barbershop revival.
