When you think about the various possible inspirations for perfume then the list usually includes pretty standard ideas like music, cities, ingredients, memories etc. This is because these are the “inspirations” that are so often trumpeted by the many fragrance companies. Obviously there are others that can be called on to ignite the creativity, but one of the boldest was surely embraced back in 2013. Acclaimed perfumer Pia Long was at that point in her career working for LUSH and, due to an unexpected track change, the now legendary 29 High Street perfume was born. Eleven years later, it’s time to revisit the fragrance's story.
“Travel broadens the mind” is probably one of the most often-used sayings in the English language. There’s no doubt that surrounding yourself with new cultures, new locations, and even new cuisines is something that is guaranteed to have a lasting impression. These experiences shape who we are, and the ripples stay within us for the rest of our lives. Now, travel comes at a cost, and certain locations aren’t always available to everyone, but that’s where the magic of fragrance can help. By conjuring a place, the wearer can go some way to imagining how it feels to visit, and Gallivant are promising just that with their new Nida perfume.
The words “Limited Edition” are enough to strike fear in the wallets of fragrance fans around the world. It’s also usually accompanied by a terrifying thought that you might miss out and, equally as terrifying, that you’ll need to decide which credit card you can fit the purchase onto. Well, just in time for Valentine’s Day, and thankfully at a wonderfully affordable price point, Azzi Glasser has launched a genuinely limited edition collection of candles. In true spring-cleaning style, The Perfumer’s Story has raided its founder’s private collection and released Azzi’s Archive Candles. So, are you ready for some flickering fun?
There are certain markers that happen throughout the year that signal a new season or celebration is approaching. This could be leaves changing colour on the trees, the first tips of the daffodils breaking through the soil, or the scent of chocolate as Easter eggs begin to fill the shelves. When it comes to the festive season however, you can’t get a better signal than the launch of the Fragonard Christmas Candle Collection. Every year sees beloved scents temporarily return in newly-inspired packaging, and 2022 is no different. Drawing on their strong relationship with UK audiences, it’s time to discover An English Christmas.
Every perfume company longs to create a fragrance that stands the test of time. Recent releases are considered timeless if they last ten years, but a scent that manages to reach its two hundred and thirtieth birthday is most definitely legendary. A favourite of soldiers returning from Germany, and possibly the ultimate refreshing cologne, I’m talking about 4711. Originally launched in 1792, the difficulty of following up a worldwide hit is the double edged sword that comes with success. 4711 tackled this head on and when they started their Remix collection, and this year’s grapefruit explosion is destined to continue the tradition.
Attempting to make changes to an established industry is always difficult, especially when we’re talking about the perfume industry. There are so many expected stages, including everything from the process to the final reveal, that it can often feel like a new fragrance is just the latest off a conveyer belt of launches. There are companies and individuals fighting this perception, actively trying to do things differently, and their successes absolutely deserve to be celebrated. One such partnership is Thomas De Monaco and Fredrik Dalman. They’ve challenged both convention and communication in their first joint venture, Raw Gold.
If you’ve had the same weekend that I’ve had then it’s mostly been spent worrying what Storm Eunice was planning to inflict upon us. I got off fairly lightly, four ridge tiles crashed down off the main roof and landed on the kitchen extension, but it did mean that there was a definite need for something that could provide a little additional calm and relaxation. With the insurance claim under way, I turned to the gentle flicker of a candle flame. Luckily for us all, Ancienne Ambiance have the limited edition Bella Bergamotta to soothe away our troubles, but you’ll need to be quick if you want to get your hands on one.
When a company tries to reinvent itself for a new generation the results can often be decidedly mixed. The brand may veer off into unfamiliar territory or accidentally alienate their current customers, neither of which is a desirable outcome. One company that have absolutely achieved this reinvention however is 4711. Arguably the most famous cologne in the world, their yearly limited edition Remix Cologne collection continues to captivate both existing and new fans, to the extent that it’s now become a permanent addition to the catalogue. So, let’s get up to speed by discovering the 2021 edition, and join in the celebration of neroli.
There are certain questions that can never be categorically answered. Is tea better than coffee? Is the BBC better than ITV? Should shops really be open on a Sunday? However, alongside these is the thorny subject of scenting your home. There are so many ways to add fragrance to your surroundings but it always comes down to a battle between the two undisputed leaders. Are you a diffuser or a candle household? There are pros and cons for both, so making a decision is always hard, but Ancienne Ambiance have risen to the challenge with their newly expanded Cedrus Cedar collection.
There are certain regions of the world that seem to feature heavily as the inspiration for fragrances, and it’s often a fine line between originality and riding on the coattails of someone else’s success. A perfume with a huge dose of citrus for example can regularly be found sporting a reference to the Amalfi Coast, but these hesperidic uplifts often fail to excite as the scent develops on the skin. However, Sarah Ireland has gone in a wonderfully diverting direction with her interpretation of the region, and Speranza Eau de Cologne succeeds wonderfully in transporting you to the historic hillsides around the Tyrrhenian Sea.
When you buy your latest fragrance from a department store on online, you’re one of the important people that decides if the industry’s idea of what is going to be a “trend” is actually correct. They’ve got it wrong in the past, and it's absolutely guaranteed that they'll get it wrong at some point in the future, but the current explosion of fougère fragrances was definitely correctly foretold. This classic style of scent had been side-lined over the years in favour of the latest and brightest releases but they’ve recently started to fight back. One great fougère that should be in everybody’s collection is Old Sport by Sarah McCartney.
Anyone that launches a new business of any description in the current climate deserves the utmost admiration, but even more so if that person chooses to enter the perfume industry. This marketplace is full to the brim with established brands and artisan creators which means, in a nutshell, that you’re fighting an uphill battle from day one to be heard and to be seen. However, there are still those that choose to take on this challenge and, with a little bit of luck, manage to be noticed. One such person is Charles Wong who promises to provide us all with some much-needed timeless elegance in the form of Aurora.
