Hugh Parsons isn’t a new name in the world of fashion or fragrance, but it’s one that many people won’t have come across. The history stretches back exactly 100 years but, as is the way with many brands, it’s fallen from the public consciousness. Hugh Edward Lancelot Parsons, to give him his full name, launched a highly successful men’s tie and accessories company in 1925. With the help of his wife, he would go on to be stocked around the world and also achieve a place on the fabled Regent Street in London at number 99.
Changing fashions and mass production saw the original business come up against stiff competition, and so in 1998 the company diversified into fragrance. The first perfume, called Traditional, burst onto the scene with its citrus aromatic notes and quickly established the brand. Over the following years there would be another ten fragrances launched, which took London locations as their inspiration, before the range was condensed down to a core eight fragrances - Traditional, 99 Regent Street, King’s Road, Oxford Circus, Whitehall, Bond Street, Notting Hill and Saville Row. However, a ninth location was waiting in the wings, and it takes us to Camden Town.
Camden Town opens with a peppered oud note but, in a welcome change, it has velvety quality here rather than the usual aggressive usage. This is also helped by an early appearance of iris, with its powdery nuance adding an expansiveness to the fragrance. The inclusion of neroli provides a metallic nod to the architecture of the area, but the main floral touch, provided by a saffron-infused blend of rose and jasmine, plays beautifully with the resinous leather notes that then begin to appear. Alongside a touch of green parks, and even a whisper of marijuana, the final scented pairing brings in sweetened sandalwood with bohemian patchouli, so you really do get a feeling of eclectic mixes living side by side. Making oud easily wearable is always a challenge, but it’s been superbly accomplished here.
Camden Town is available from the Hugh Parsons website at hughparsons.com, and also The Perfume Shop, priced at £95 for 100ml. [Sample provided by Agence de Parfumerie]
I was very fortunate, that a very good friend sent me the full sample pack from the recent Fortnum & Mason Hugh Parson's event, yes, Hugh Parsons is also available at the wonderful Fortnum & Mason, in fact, they were the first British stockists of this Italian brand. I have tested the full range, and out of all the scents, my favourites were, Traditional, Kings Road, Notting Hill, and Whitehall. I know that in the past, we have agreed on most fragrances Stephan, but in the case of Camden Town, it just didn't work with my skin chemistry.
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