2024 is the 10th year of The Perfume Society, so we decided to push the boat out to create a special box of celebratory scents. Where possible we have sourced travel sizes, perfect for taking with you in a handbag, or even in a cabin bag if you’re lucky enough to travel further afield.
A mini discovery set from Goldfield & Banks gives you the opportunity to explore the brand and their use of unusual ingredients from their native Australia. Bossa from Brazilian brand Granado continues the sunshine & sea vibe, with fresh floral notes dancing across cashmere woods. The heat continues with Juliette Has a Gun’s Lust For Sun, radiant and golden. Striking another warm note is Chords from Thameen. A rich honey accord glows at the heart of this sensual fragrance. Cutting through these solar scents is Comme des Garcons, known for their non-conformity, these fragrances are to be worn with a certain insouciance. Whereas, hypnotic, is how Shay & Blue describe Oud Alif, with oodles of oudh and dark chocolate. Exotic florals and green botanicals blossom in Kingdom Botanica from Kingdom Scotland, which is a dedication to horticulturalists, without whom the perfume world would be a less colourful and fragrant place.
So celebrate the cool sea, warm sky and vibrant land in all these joyous fragrances.
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BASE NOTES: wood, leather cedarwood atlas, cypriol
THAMEEN LONDON CHORDS
Thameen London is a British brand launched in 2013 telling the bricolage stories of British culture. The fragrances are created by world renowned perfumers. Creativity through storytelling and using the finest ingredients while respecting the environment is fundamental to their beliefs.
A forward-thinking British Brand bringing a whole new purposeful spirit whilst adapting to the everchanging landscape in perfumery. Their other collections include Treasure, Sovereign, Regal as well as exclusives for some stores. A brand worth searching out and trying their exquisite fragrances. Chords was inspired by the desire belonging in British-German composer George Handel’s residency in London at 25 Brook Street. Handel’s monumental contribution to British culture and music cemented his status as being “more British than British”.
Chords is part of the BRITOLOGNE Collection (2023) by Thameen London – the classic cologne structure is reimagined and magnified with complex chords and accords giving intensive projection and longevity. Master Perfumer Nathalie Lorson begins the construction of Chords with bergamot, echoing British Earl Grey tea and neroli, which reinforces the fragrance’s freshness with the green and floral richness of orange blossom. The honey accord is obvious straight away and it helps bind the whole fragrance together. Floral ylang ylang, and tobacco diffuse a suave, warm and addictive sensation. Finally in the base, Cedarwood Atlas and wood leather reveal an animalic facet. A complex cologne with a darker element makes this a must-have fragrance – long lasting and be careful how much you spray – a little goes a long way!
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: THAMEEN LONDON CHORDS
• What occasion would you wear this e.g black tie ball?
• Can you smell 3 main ingredients what do you think they are?
• How does it make you feel –calm, uplifted, sexy, joyful etc.
• Does it remind you of someone /somewhere?
• If this fragrance were a material, what would it be?
3 words to describe this fragrance: creamy, decadent, luxurious
SHAY & BLUE OUD ALIF
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: Woody
TOP NOTE: oudh
HEART NOTES: dark chocolate, saffron
BASE NOTES: napa leather, sandalwood, patchouli
SHAY & BLUE
OUD ALIF
This hypnotic oudh takes us on a journey to ancient ceremonies of “gifting to the gods” it is mesmerising and characterful with the complexity of ingredients which makes us think of ancient times when perfume was “a Gift” It is modernised by the way the perfumer (Julie Massé) has added the delicious chocolate and saffron notes to create a delicious mouth-watering element. The earthiness of the patchouli and smokiness brings you back to the ground very gently. You complete your journey through your nose, but you will be noticed wearing this fragrance. This is a fragrance for perfume lovers!
Shay & Blue’s mantra of “We believe in following your nose, not the norm” says exactly what Dom De Vetta has exemplified as the Founder of Shay & Blue – a Yogi, an activist and hugely talented creative director he launched the brand 20 years ago. A distinguished career with many of the most famous Houses e.g. Chanel and Jo Malone led him to launch the brand and work with the incredible perfumer Julie Massé. They have created fragrances for today and the future with such wonderful ethics using carefully selected planet friendly ingredients to revive the forgotten ways of the art of perfumery. The fragrances are certified organic, vegan, cruelty free and most importantly for everyone. They say, “Be Bold, Be Different and Be Better”. We want to add Be You – as they really have a fragrance for everyone – go try them…
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: SHAY & BLUE OUD ALIF
• Can you identify any of the notes? If yes which ones….
• Have you ever smelled any other fragrances from Shay & Blue?
• What other Gourmand/ Ambery/woody fragrances have you smelled? How do they compare?
• Would you buy this as a gift?
• What kind of character do you think this fragrance would suit?
When the weather doesn’t play ball, and it seems the skies have been grey and cold forever, lusting for sun is something most of us can certainly relate to. Sometimes, we just need a hit of ‘holiday in a bottle’ (no matter what the time of year) to help us through.
So, how we especially welcome this unashamed pool party of a perfume! We invite you to slap on the sunscreen, pop on your most glamorous shades, and get set for sunshine via freesia, coconut, ylang ylang, monoi and armfuls of orange blossom’s bounty. Swirled with vanilla and trailing the woody warmth of Ambroxan for hours, way past sunset, it’s a sure-fire hit for whenever you feel the need of that golden, glamorous, glass-clinking fun.
Although Romano Ricci grew up with fragrance in his blood (the grandson of Nina Ricci) he set out to learn the art of fragrance creation from scratch.
‘I’m self-taught,’ he says. ‘I gained my competence through practice. I worked in perfumery for seven years before launching my own adventure. I was with France Fragrance for three years and also worked with other perfume makers such as Pierre Bourdon, Francis Kurkdjian, Isabelle Maillebiau and Philippe Romano – who all taught me a lot.’ He launched Juliette Has A Gun in December 2006: a brand devoted to women, offering a new type of elegance within niche perfumery: ‘The innocent Juliet of Shakespeare is transposed to the 21st Century…’
JULIETTE HAS A GUN LUST FOR SUN From
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: juliette has a gun lust for sun
• Think of the sunniest place you’ve been: does this transport you there?
• Do you get a certain sun-warmed skin note from this scent?
• Do you notice particular notes lifting your spirits? Which, in this?
• Designing a cocktail inspired by this, what would your ingredients be?
• Would you feel this more suitable for day or evening wear, or both?
3 words to describe this fragrance:
sunshine, fun-filled, exuberant
Selfridges.com
KINGDOM SCOTLAND KINGDOM BOTANICA
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: FLORAL ambrée
TOP NOTES:
spiced plum blossom, pink pepper, blackcurrant, green botanicals, pine needles
BASE NOTES: vetiver, patchouli, white musk, amber, sandalwood, cedarwood
KINGDOM SCOTLAND
KINGDOM BOTANICA
Before you read another word, just glance back at the notes contained in this fragrance. To say that you are about to experience the sensory pleasure of entering a botanical garden without leaving your chair is an understatement; this fragrance is, frankly, an extraordinary feat of perfumemaking that was two years in the making. A cacophony of over 35 natural ingredients inspired by (and marking) 350 years of Edinburgh’s Royal Botanical Garden, we hardly know where to begin (the words ‘child’ and ‘sweet shop’ spring to mind). Juicy, succulent fruit groves and orchards greet us, all optimism and laughter, which then lead to resinous tree-lined avenues and the promise of adventure, preparing us for the floral explosion to come. This is then cleverly tempered with spices, flowing perfectly into woods, wonder, and warmth.
This bio-diverse fragrance is a fitting tribute to the Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh, appropriately created by Scotland’s first luxury fragrance house. In fact Kingdom Scotland’s founder Imogen Russon-Taylor – who adapted what she had learned about distillation and aromatic, sensory pleasure from a career in Scotch whisky to perfumery – uses the country’s unique geology and history to inspire all of her fragrance creations.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: kingdom scotland kingdom botanica
• Which gardens that you know does this scent transport you to?
• What colours does this fragrance conjure up? Why?
• What dominates for you – the florals, fruits, resins or spices?
• How does the fragrance evolve throughout the day?
• Who would you invite to a party, while wearing this?
Granado Pharmácias is the oldest pharmacy in Brazil. Founded in 1870 by the Portuguese José Coxito Granado, the Granado story began by selling natural remedies created from plants, herbs and flowers native to his home in Rio de Janeiro’s mountainous region. Emblematic in its country of origin, Granado has been passed down through the generations and is now part of the Brazilian heritage. Today, Granado Perfumery represents all the exuberance and tropicality of Brazilian nature to the world. The packaging is vibrant and colourful the products affordable and excellent quality.
To celebrate 150 years, Granado Pharmácias commissioned the wonderful perfumer Cécile Zarokian to create a fragrance as a delicate reminder of the warmth of the sun and the freshness of the sea transporting us to a perfect day in Rio de Janeiro. The Bossa eau de toilette launched in 2020 manages to do just that. It's citrus and sea notes evoke freshness and sea breeze, while the sunny flowers bouquet and coconut note promote a creamy and delicate sensation. The perfume is enveloped by the comfort and elegance of musk and cashmere wood, providing a floral, sunny, fresh and addictive creation.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: GRANADO PHARMÁCIAS bossa
• What sunny place do you think of when smelling this fragrance?
• How does the scent develop throughout the day – do you notice it changing?
• What colour other than blue do you think of when smelling this?
• Is there a particular note which stands out for you when you spray it?
• What occasion would you choose to wear this fragrance?
3 words to describe this fragrance:
solar, refreshing, easy-breezy
COMME DES GARÇONS
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: WOODY
TOP NOTE: bergamot
HEART NOTES: Haitian vetiver, rose oxide
BASE NOTES: cashmere, musk, cedar
Paring back excess and delivering a radical expression of simplicity, and with ‘sustainability’ being the buzzword in the fragrance world right now, here’s Comme des Garçons’ initiative. This fragrance aims for zero carbon, via cool vetiver – which is having a ‘moment’ right now – sitting alongside bergamot oil and synthetic, almost varnish-like rose oxide. Then as Zero warms on the skin, cedarwood – hand-harvested and extracted using hydroelectric power, we’re told – emerges, sweetened by Cashmeran. Minimalist construction, maximum olfactory pleasure…
When Comme des Garçons moved into fragrance, they became known (and loved) for breaking rules in the fragrance world, just as they have with fashion: often taking single ingredients (such as incense, or leaves, or sherbet), and interpreting them in myriad, modernist ways. The house’s name means ‘like the boys’ and was inspired by lyrics by the French chanteuse Francoise Hardy. As Vogue commented, it was chosen because it sounded good, "but it proved ironically apt for designs that challenged the traditional feminine ideal." Bravely uncompromising, ZERO resets your scented expectations.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: comme des GARÇONS zero
• Are you consciously looking for more sustainable scent brands, now?
• We feel this is the perfect go-to scent for celebrating every day, how about you?
• Is the aroma molecule Cashmeran fluffy, cosy, and comforting for you?
• Do you have a scent you go for on those ‘nothing to wear’ days? Could this be it?
• How does the bergamot work in this fragrance?
3 words to describe this fragrance:
skin-like, comforting, minimalist
COMME DES GARÇONS ROUGE
FRAGRANCE FAMILY:
woody AMBRÉE
TOP NOTES: pink pepper, ginger
HEART NOTES: beetroot, geranium
BASE NOTES: incense, patchouli, cistus
COMME DES GARÇONS ROUGE
Think red. Then think of all the opacities and gradations of red – from close to pink to almost orange – and you’ll have a sense of this fragrance; a celebration of the colour that we associate with everything from love and passion to blood, fire and life itself. Pink pepper and ginger kick off a cacophony of feelings that start with rapture then, with the help of bitter geranium and blood-red beetroot, move into a sort of sanguine surreality. Helped along by dreamy patchouli and incense, we then enter a world of fantasy, ecstasy, the hyperreal and the uncanny… passionate and uncontainable, this is not a fragrance for the fainthearted.
Like everything Comme des Garçons does, this fragrance is about pushing boundaries, breaking rules, going where others won’t, and delivering the unexpected. After all, this is what the brand has been doing since it was established by visionary fashion designer Rei Kawakubo in 1969. So avantgarde and unconventional are the house’s designs – and now its fragrances – that they almost exist outside the notion of fashion; in their own creative bubble waiting for new devotees to discover the magic.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: comme des GARÇONS rouge
• What emotions does this fragrance stir in you?
• How would you accessorise this scent? What colours would you choose?
• Which passionate plays does this perfume bring to mind?
• Which note feels most ‘red’ to you? Why?
• In which Parisian environment do you see this scent?
3 words to describe this fragrance:
sensual, opulent, mysterious
From £125 for 100 ml eau de parfum doverstreetmarket.com
GOLDFIELD & BANKS BOHEMIAN LIME
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: fresh citrus
TOP NOTES: lime, coriander
HEART NOTE: vetiver
BASE NOTES: sandalwood, cedarwood
GOLDFIELD & BANKS
BOHEMIAN LIME
Goldfield & Banks are based in Australia and pride themselves on building their perfumes around authentic native essences that are found in the country. Drawing on inspiration from deserts, coast and forests, they combine fashion with sustainability to create truly fabulous fragrances. We love companies with strong eco credentials at The Perfume Society, which is why we love Goldfield & Banks. All the fragrances are poured at 20% concentration of oils, giving great sillage and excellent longevity.
An ode to Byron Bay, where Australia first meets the sun, Bohemian Lime is a free-spirited adventure. This lush tropical enclave in a rainforest, with citrus trees and waterfalls is rich and ripe for expressing in a fragrance. Piquant Australian finger lime and coriander burst out of the spray, emulating the cascading droplets from the falls. These settle into earthy vetiver and warm, grounding sandalwood and cedarwood enticing you further into the vegetation.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: goldfield & banks bohemian lime
• Does this fragrance fill you with optimism?
• How does a scent that takes you into a rainforest make you feel?
• Which notes most fill you with a sense of joy? Why?
• What new challenge does this make you want to take on? Why?
• Other than green, do you associate any colours with this fragrance?
3 words to describe this fragrance: tropical, blithe, intrepid
From £138 for 100 ml eau de parfum selfridges.com
GOLDFIELD & BANKS
PACIFIC ROCK MOSS
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: fresh aquatic
TOP NOTES: lemon, white flowers
HEART NOTES: moss, sage
BASE NOTES: amber, cedarwood, musk
GOLDFIELD & BANKS
PACIFIC ROCK MOSS
What could be more stimulating than a coastal walk on a glorious summer’s day? The scent of flowers, grasses and warm rocks of the cliff rising from beneath your feet. Be it gentle gusts or billowing buffets, the salty sea air swirls around, you stand back and admire the beautiful and terrifying power of nature. That is the sensation in Pacific Rock Moss, bright, breezy and bursting with freshness.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: goldfield & banks pacific rock moss
• What stories does this fragrance bring to mind?
• How would you style yourself to suit this scent?
• Does this perfume alter your state of mind? If so, how?
• Do you detect the sage in this fragrance? What does it bring?
• If not a coastal walk, where does this fragrance take you?
3 words to describe this fragrance: marine, invigorating, outdoorsy
As the sun sinks in an ombre sky, the shadows lengthen and the atmosphere evolves in dusky twilight, it is the sunset hour. That perfect blend of the day closing, before night sets in, there is a juicy, spicy promise of what the evening could bring. Exotic fruits mingle with bold florals on a warm breeze. Immerse yourself in the emotion, give in to temptation.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: goldfield & banks sunset hour
• Would you wear this fragrance during the day?
• Where would you wear this scent? To the shops? To the beach? To dinner?
• Do you own other gourmand fragrances? How does this compare?
• How does the ginger work in this scent?
• Which celebrity can you envisage wearing this fragrance?
