What makes a modern-day classic? It’s a question that gets asked a lot in perfume, particularly when the shelves are filled with new launches every week. Mitsouko and Chanel No.5 have had decades to earn their legendary status, but a new generation is now beginning to share the spotlight. Creed Aventus is a good example, having become instantly recognisable and hugely influential in a relatively short space of time. For me, a modern classic needs something more than popularity. It needs character, originality and the ability to keep surprising us. Féminité du Bois by Serge Lutens definitely ticks all three boxes.
When the weather takes a turn for the worse, and snow starts falling as companies launch their latest “springtime scent”, many customers almost ricochet back to the familiar warmth and spice that you get with the great oriental fragrances. The woods, resins and intoxicating florals help transport you to sunnier climes as we fend off the icy winds. For my perfume of escape this week I chose Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens and, whilst it might not be exactly thought of as an oriental, it definitely packs a punch with the sensuous laudanum. So, let me introduce you the fragrance about which Serge warned, “don’t expect it to fit in”.
Maybe it's cliched but the rose is still the epitome of romance on Valentine's Day. Inflated prices of a bouquet can take the lustre off the experience, so what are the alternatives? Well, fragrances don't have to have a three figure price tag in order to convey quality and so I thought it would be fun to see what some high street stores can offer. All of these are available from Edinburgh to Eastbourne, because none of them are "exclusives", and so you also don't have to worry about a journey to London or the lottery of mail order. So, here are three fragrances that cannot fail to impress, or break the bank.
