The Amber family of perfumes is one that often finds itself relegated to the colder months, when its resins come alive under layers of coats and scarves, but there is so much more to enjoy if you just take the chance. Vanilla notes, sweetened woods, even some patchouli-laced cocoa; it’s all waiting to be discovered on warmed skin and under the fading sunshine. Admittedly finding the perfect balance of warmth to match every season can be challenging, but it’s been expertly executed under the skilled nose of Sonia Constant. Amber K is the latest addition to her Ella K collection, and the result is truly mesmerising.
There is no denying that the world of perfume is most definitely an expensive one to inhabit and, with most fragrances beginning in the realms of £100, that’s why the “dupe” market has gained such a foothold in the past few years. There obviously isn’t any defence for copying someone else’s work, whether that be a fragrance, a candle, or even a shower gel, but convincing the more modest-budget customers to try an original perfume can be a struggle. So, what if I told you there was a whole range waiting to be discovered? It’s time to take a closer look at Fragonard, and in particular Homme Élégant.
The recipe of emotions and inspirations that go into a perfume are equally as important as the ingredients that the perfumer chooses. This is because the direction that a fragrance ultimately takes can be a very linear affair if there is little substance to the background story. Unveiling these multiple layers is one of the joys of wearing a scent that defies convention because, just as you turn the pages of a book, the development of a perfume transitions from prologue to epilogue. The perfect example of this has to be Vianne’s Confession from 4160 Tuesdays, and it’s a scented story that has been waiting patiently to be told.
Perfume is often compared to music because of the similarities found in their creation and their make up. Whether you’re thinking about “chords”, “notes” or “accents”, the cross-over is easy to see. However, there’s another industry that also goes hand in hand with perfumery, and that’s the world of fashion. When you think about tailoring, the stitching together of multiple parts to create one complete garment could easily be compared to the mixing of multiple ingredients to create one complete fragrance. This is where we find ourselves with Brion Eau de Parfum Suave, the latest exciting perfume release from Brioni.
The word “traditional” is one that often gets mixed up with “heritage” when we talk about perfumes, because each harks back to a past time. The latter is more geared to a company or style, whereas the former can broaden out to encompass a particular scent or preparation. This idea of a “traditional” fragrance can easily be aligned to many that are still in production, and also those that have been discontinued, but there is one that has stood the test of time. Bay Rum is a perfume that has been enjoyed for decades, in both salons and at home, and The Dandy Gent is championing its barbershop revival.
If there is one thing that we can all agree on, it’s that creating an enduring and beloved collection of fragrances is a goal that many companies have tried but few have actually accomplished. It’s an absolute skill to cement a DNA in every successive fragrance whilst, at the same time, adding new facets and unexpected directions to the latest release. One company that have achieved this more than once, and continue to fly sky-high in the ever-expanding perfume market, is Versace. With a legacy dating back to 1981, it’s time to discover the newest addition to their fragrance stable as we explore Eros Najim.
The dark days of the pandemic may seem like a lifetime ago now, as we all busy ourselves once again on life’s hamster wheel, but it has meant a massive shift in the perfume market. Those two years focused our attention away from personal fragrance, that beautiful juice found inside a glass bottle, and instead made us think about the scent of our surroundings. With so much time spent indoors, and without the option to travel, we all wanted some scented escape. That initial fragranced flurry saw many candle brands unfortunately fall by the wayside, but the demand had been ignited and it heralded the arrival of Purnima Fragrances.
Niche Perfumery is a term that’s hard to categorise these days, because the goal posts of what is produced by the large brands has shifted dramatically. Originally thought of as an alternative to the large corporations, most high-street brands now have a “niche” department creating more unusual offerings, and so the lines have definitely blurred. Once the domain of an independent producer creating in small batches, the focus is now firmly on the quality rather than the quantity. Many companies have tried to gain a foothold in the niche sector, with varying success, but the latest to proudly bloom is the Wales-based Ortir Apothecari.
There's a big push at the moment for simplistic designs and uniformity across the fragrances offered by perfume brands. With the bottles remaining constant, it’s often just the label that changes. While the bottle clearly won’t affect the fragrance inside, the pleasure of holding a sculptural item in your hand definitely accentuates the act of applying your favourite perfume. Some bottles are iconic, think of Guerlain’s Shalimar or Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Male, and they certainly played a part in their legendary status. Bringing scent and design together is a definite skill, and that can absolutely be said of Soleil Lunar by Lalique.
