PREM ROUGE by Dilli House

The world of perfume is an ever-changing one, with new releases promising a uniqueness which often fails to truly materialise. Whatever the blurb might say on the press release or in the advert, companies are generally locked into the acceptable cycle of what customers want. The latest “trend” might see a flurry of pretenders to the throne of the original, and so finding something in the industry that does grab the attention is definitely worth celebrating. So, with Christmas just around the corner, and a welcoming space still under the tree, it’s time to discover Prem Rouge from the newly launched Dilli House.

Perfume is a product that, whether you wear it often or occasionally, is pretty standard around the world. You’ve got a bottle that contains a medley of scented ingredients which are carried in alcohol, and all you have to do is either dab, splash or spray to your heart’s content. However, there is another aspect to perfumery that is making itself more visible in today’s industry. These are water-based fragrances. They replace the alcohol with, unsurprisingly, water, and in doing so create a perfumed experience that is unlike its rival. This is the route that Dilli House has chosen to embrace.

Dilli House was founded by Arpit Kaushik, who wanted to approach his debut collection in a more “quiet” way. In a world of noise and freneticism, he chose to celebrate the more intimate and everyday moments. It’s these building blocks of the day that he recognises as shaping us as people, whether that be encounters or experiences, and they are celebrated in Prem Rouge. Constructed as water-based fragrances, they sit closer to the skin and radiate to those who are nearest to you. A welcome change from the ever present “loud” trend. However, innovation doesn’t end there.

The debut pair of fragrances come in refillable bottles, compostable packaging, and are completely natural. This would be impressive with any perfume, but even more so when you remember that these are also water-based. The idea is that you can wear the fragrances separately or together, so you can adapt your perfume in the evening without losing the “experience” of the daytime. It’s this concept of anchoring what has gone before that separates this from the established idea of simply layering. The floral duo of Rose and Tuberose have been created by perfumers Patty Canac and Clémentine Humeau, and you are in for a real treat.

The Rose fragrance opens with a delicately spiced rose, thanks to the addition of cardamom, but a rhubarb and iris pairing create an almost watery iris heart that’s given extra buoyancy thanks to a hint of freesia. You’re also treated to an amber and sandalwood combination in the base, so there’s a real creaminess in the drydown. The Tuberose scent by contrast is darker, with a fascinating touch of lavender supporting the star ingredient. This aromatic quality also links to a touch of carnation, with its clove nuance, before the promise of intoxication is doubled as the jasmine arrives. With an olive absolute providing a whisper of sea breeze, the result is mesmerising. Whether you choose to wear them together or seperately, Prem Rouge is a deliciously new way to wear fragrance.

Prem Rouge is available from the Dilli House website at www.dilli.house and is priced at £160. This includes the two perfumes as 30ml bottles. [Sample provided by Dilli House]