SPICE D'ARNO by Electimuss London

The need to explore is something that is instilled in us all from childhood - whether that’s as simple as discovering what lies at the end of the garden or delving into personal heritage. We are all naturally curious by design, and that doesn’t change as we get older. Exploring perfume can also be thought of in that simple or complex way - are you discovering the various types of fragrance or delving into one fragrance family? Electimuss London have combined a few of these ideas in their Explorer Collection, which draws from Roman society and their love of exploration, and it all begins with Spice d’Arno.

The company was founded in 2015 by Luke Granger and Jason Collison, who originally launched with seven fragrances and collected them into what they called the Pure Perfume Series. Of the original line-up it’s only two, Black Caviar and Rodanthe, that managed to survive the subsequent rebrand and relaunch. It was during this period of rebirth that the company, with a very clear direction, was elevated from an already well received niche level to the luxury category it now occupies. Bottles, boxes, caps and contents were all refreshed in order to offer the finest experience for their customers.

Electimuss takes its inspiration from the Romans, and in particular their love of perfume. It featured in every aspect of their daily lives, from bathing to anointing, and they truly realised the power that scent possessed. The collection was originally split into five ranges - Eternal, Nero, Consort, Lustrous and Emperor - with each focusing on a different aspect of perfumery. Spanning everything from indulgent ingredients to the Roman obsession with the heavens, the variety of fragrances is impressive. However, 2024 saw a new, more accessible range appear in the form of The Explorer Collection, and it all begins with Spice d’Arno.

Spice d’Arno is inspired by the Arno river, which was one of Italy’s most important waterways during Roman times. It ultimately provided the ability for them to expand their trading, and it also meant that goods flowed both into and out of the Empire. To create the inaugural scent for the Explorer Collection, Celine Barel was tasked with translating the "comforting and soothing spices flowing with the rhythm of the Arno river." Now, Celine is no stranger to mixing the sweet with the spice, her Vanilla & Anise for Jo Malone London in 2009 showed us all that, but what would she reveal in her debut perfume for Electimuss London?

Spice d’Arno opens boldly with an intriguing blend of pink pepper and cardamom, but is also accompanied by a warmed leather accord. The early appearance of this powerful ingredient pushes the Empire quality of the scent, which is then joined by aromatic notes of sun-scorched thyme and rosemary. Alongside the citrus echoes, there’s also an orange blossom which helps to add body to the perfume, and almost partners with a whisper of rose. It’s at this point that you get a glorious note of ginger coming into play, and this links beautifully with a resinous labdanum and myrrh. With a final wash of sweetened and tempered oud, you really do feel as if you’ve been treated to a journey of discovery along the leathered-edged spice route.

Spice d’Arno is available from the Electimuss website at electimuss.com priced at £200 for 100ml, and also from Jovoy in London. [Sample provided by Electimuss]

Posted by Stephan Matthews at 07:00:00

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: Celine Barel, Consort, Electimuss, Emperor, Eternal, Independent, Jason Collison, Jo Malone London, Luke Granger, Lustrous, Nero, Niche, Spice d'Arno, The Explorer Collection, Vanilla & Anise