Seasonal Subscription Summer 2023 Smelling Notes

SEASONAL SMELLING NOTES SUMMER

WELCOME TO YOUR SUMMER 2023 BOX !

The joy of summer is here, with its long warm days stretching into dusky evenings. We think this calls for a new scent or two and that’s just what we have in this box. Bursting with fruits and fl orals that are perfect for the season, plus some warmer fragrances for a comforting hug.

Delight in immersing yourself in each scent, allowing time to bask in the fragrance thorough out the day and notice how it develops and evolves as the temperature rises and falls. We hope you really love this collection.

The Perfume Society theperfumesociety Perfume_Society

JIMMY CHOO ROSE PASSION

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: floral

TOP NOTES: coconut water, frangipani flower

HEART NOTES: orchid, jasmine

BASE NOTES: vanilla, sandalwood

JIMMY CHOO ROSE PASSION

Nathalie Lorson is the fragrance powerhouse perfumer for Rose Passion – the perfect choice of nose to conjure glamour and daring, with that signature, ultra-feminine Jimmy Choo swagger that simply glows with confidence from first spritz. Coconut water delivers almost thirst-quenching freshness, at first sniff, before more exotic notes rise to an opulent crescendo: orchid, jasmine, sweet vanilla, and creamy sandalwood. Just as we’re starting to get used to wearing heels again, this taps into the renewed craving for dressed-up perfumes. Party on!

The star-studded story of this designer brand actually began over 20 years ago in the East End of London in the atelier of a shoemaker called Jimmy Choo. He became an A-list darling, creating shoes for the jet-set – including Diana, Princess of Wales. Then in 1996, Tamara Mellon OBE – a chic and savvy accessories editor at British Vogue – spotted his talent. She saw potential for his designs to inspire leading actresses, who could walk them right into the spotlight of the red carpet. So, she took Jimmy Choo to Hollywood, travelling to Los Angeles initially to produce shoes dyed to match actresses’ dresses for the Oscars. That global success has only been further accented by the Jimmy Choo fragrances – echoing the glamour, fun, independent spirit, and flirtatious playfulness of the accessories in fragrant form.

SMELLING NOTES:

EXPLORE:

JIMMY CHOO ROSE PASSION

• Imagine the party you’d wear this fragrance to: where’s the location?

• Which celebrity guests would you invite, and why?

• Now think of the outfit you’d wear: what material is it made of?

• If your accessories are the colour of the ‘juice’, what’s the outfit’s colour?

• Which three words best sum up Rose Passion for you? Fun? Glamorous? Party-ready? Over to you…

From £55 for 40 ml eau de parfum theperfumeshop.com

Jimmy Choo jimmychoo

SANA JARDIN INCENSE WATER

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: FLORAL

TOP NOTES: bergamot, raspberry leaf, pimento berry

HEART NOTES: Rose Absolute Morocco, rose oil, rose water

BASE NOTES: musk, sandalwood, patchouli

SANA JARDIN INCENSE WATER

Cool and comforting, this is a fragrant respite for frazzled nerves. Brilliant perfumer Carolos Benaïm worked alongside ‘an up-and-coming NY based perfumer in lockdown’, we’re told, and for inspiration, took to his garden, literally stopping to smell the roses and take fragrant refuge from them. The result? A sheer scent that marries a velvety yet gauzy rose to crystalline patchouli heart with the piquancy of pimento berries and raspberry leaf on a pellucid sandalwood base. Like wearing an echo of a comforting dream, you really can sense the rose water flowing through the composition, and tendrils of incense floating on the breeze. Simply beautiful, since its launch we’ve loved wearing this on warmer days when other roses simply wilt, but the transparency of this helps it bloom.

Founder Amy Christiansen Si-Ahmed is a former social worker whose c.v. includes time with the Bill Clinton Foundation, the Robin Hood Foundation and the Cherie Blair Foundation. Mix with one of the world’s leading perfumers – Carlos Benaïm – and her insistence that the (mostly female) workers were properly looked after, the ingredients assiduously sourced, and you have a recipe for scented success. Brilliantly, Amy has managed to create a portfolio of scents that reflect her life-long love of fragrance – nurtured on travels through the Middle East with her inspirational grandmother – and tap into her two degrees in social work. The reason it’s become such a celebrated brand, though? Simply that the fragrances smell utterly sublime, as you’ll discover for yourself!

SMELLING NOTES:

EXPLORE: sana jardin incense water

• Can you sense rose water as opposed to just the rose oil in this scent?

• Take a deep breath and imagine yourself somewhere peaceful: where is it?

• Do you normally enjoy rose perfumes? How does this one differ?

• Have you ever used fragrances to meditate with? Could you start with this?

• Which three words best sum up Incense Water for you? Soothing? Peaceful? Grounding? Over to you…

From £95 for 50 ml eau de parfum harrods.com

Sana Jardin sanajardin

INITIO PARAGON

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: woody

TOP NOTES: lavender, sage, bergamot

HEART NOTES: plum, palo santo, black pepper

BASE NOTES: sandalwood, agarwood

Fragrance’s spiritual mood was the focus of a previous issue of The Scented Letter Magazine, because we saw this as a strongly emerging trend in the perfume world – scents that didn’t only smell amazing, but which helped us in some way. Here that’s expressed via this ‘mantra-centric’ creation within Initio’s ‘Hedonist Collection’, drawing on ‘sacred woods and plants’, notably powerfully purifying and protective sage and Palo Santo wood. Close your eyes and meditate on how those notes drift through bergamot, lavender, black pepper, delivering on Paragon’s promise to bestow an ‘aura around the physical, emotional and spiritual bodies.’ Think of this as a wearable way of reaching olfactory enlightenment!

First unveiled in 2015, a cloak of mystery enfolds this French perfume house. Artistic director Sonia (her surname is secret) prefers to talk about the influence of Patrick Suskind’s book ‘Perfume’ – and the power of perfume itself. Even the name of the house is infused with meaning – 'Initio’ being a Latin word, so we’re told, with two meanings: ‘the origin’, and ‘initiation’. The intention of this renegade perfume house, then, is ‘to initiate perfume as an object of power’ – a concept we can all get behind and understand every time we feel a little bit better or stand a little bit taller for wearing a favourite fragrance…

SMELLING NOTES:

EXPLORE: INITIO PARAGON

• When do you notice the lavender on your skin?

• Palo santo is said to be headclearing / grounding – do you feel this?

• If this were a place in the world, where would it be?

• Another meditative fragrance: do you feel it calms you?

• Which three words best sum up Paragon for you? Spiritual? Calming? Comforting? Over to you…

From £240 for 90 ml extrait de parfum selfridges.com

NISHANE HACIVAT

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: chypre

TOP NOTES: pineapple, grapefruit, bergamot

HEART NOTES: cedar, patchouli, jasmine

BASE NOTES: oakmoss, woody notes

Inspired by the traditional art of ‘shadow play’, Hacivat was part of a collection of fragrances exploring this culture and mythology; with this scent being a wearable tribute to elegance, kindness, and the love of art itself. As the house so beautifully put it: "…this eau chypre will help you live in your best dreams by the everlasting sparkles of its joyful structure made of the stimulating notes of pineapple and bergamot backed with the genuine woody notes. Enjoy being loved with this blissful scent that has become an iconic scent for many in such a short period of time!"

Although Istanbul has been on the trade map for thousands of years – famed for spices, silk and flowers (particularly roses), it’s extraordinary to realise that, until recently, the fine fragrances sold there were still, primarily, made in France or Italy. With perfume-lovers seeking scents not only inspired by a greater diversity of cultures and smell memories but made by houses hailing from those places, Turkey’s niche perfume map was long overdue to be re-drawn. Step forward two young men who set off for university with differing businesses in mind, but who were drawn together on the same perfumed path. On a passionate mission to place Istanbul firmly on the fragrance map, Nishane founders Mert Guzel and Murat Katran invite you to take in the sights, sounds and, of course, the glorious smells of the Turkish culture they’re so proud of…

SMELLING NOTES:

EXPLORE: NISHANE HACIVAT

• Have you tried pineapple perfumes before? Is the note what you expected?

• When do you notice the woodiness of the scent on your skin?

• Translating this into another art form, what would you choose?

• When would you like to wear this one, and why does it feel appropriate?

• Which three words best sum up Hacivat for you? Exciting? Energising? Intriguing? Over to you…

From £210 for 50 ml extrait de parfum harveynichols.com

JULIETTE HAS A GUN LUST FOR SUN

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: floral

TOP NOTES: freesia, coconut, bergamot

HEART NOTES: ylang ylang, monoi, orange blossom, gardenia

BASE NOTES: vanilla, ambroxan, musks

JULIETTE HAS A GUN

LUST FOR SUN

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, glassclinking 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…’

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 sunwarmed 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?

• Which three words best sum up Lust For Sun for you? Balmy? Joyous? Warm? Over to you… From £125 for 100 ml eau de parfum harveynichols.com

Juliette has a Gun juliettehasagun

FLORAL STREET ELECTRIC RHUBARB

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: FLORAL

TOP NOTES: rhubarb

HEART NOTES: gardenia, frangipani, jasmine sambac

BASE NOTES: sandalwood

FLORAL STREET

Inspired by happy summer days in the garden, sipping Prosecco with your nearest and dearest, this immediately joyous scent was created in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society. The unique combination of English rhubarb and sea salt give the white floral blend a much-needed jolt into the 21st Century, and it’s the perfect instant mood-lifter, much like said Prosecco (but thankfully this one won’t leave you suffering on the sofa the next day). Effervescent bubbliness abounds with sparkling rhubarb popping the cork on a frothy gush of gardenia, exotic frangipani and radiant jasmine Sambac. Already we’re in the sunshine and partying – tinkling laughter and clinking glasses the backdrop to a happy-making fragrance that’ll have you wanting to kick off your shoes and dance barefoot on the lawn. Perfumer Jérome Epinette has done it again – revolutionising notes we thought we knew, making them fresh, relevant, utterly wearable.

Floral Street’s fragrances are as far from old fashioned florals as it’s possible to get – each created by the star perfumer Jérôme Épinette, who is known for his mastery of natural ingredients. As Floral Street put it: "These are bunches – not bouquets. Ingredients, not notes. And it’s about ease, modernity and joy." Founder Michelle Feeney adds: "My mission is to bring fine fragrance to the modern female – so that she might build an entire fragrance wardrobe, which can express the many facets of who she is." Once you’ve smelled them for yourself, you’re going to want a bunch of Floral Street’s power flowers, in your fragrance wardrobe…

SMELLING NOTES:

EXPLORE: FLORAL STREET

ELECTRIC RHUBARB

• Do you notice the rhubarb note on your skin all the way through?

• Where in the world does this fragrance take you?

• Does this scent feel ‘fizzy’ and energising to you? Does it sparkle?

• If this were a song, would it be high-pitched, low, or middling tones?

• Which three words best sum up Electric Rhubarb for you? Bubbly? Happy? Friendly? Over to you…

From £68 for 50 ml eau de perfum floralstreet.com

MAISON CRIVELLI OUD MARACUJÁ

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: woody

TOP NOTES: passionfruit, ebelia, saffron, Turkish rose

HEART NOTES: Indonesian patchouli, benzoin

BASE NOTES: leather, amber vanilla, labdanum, akigalawood

MAISON CRIVELLI OUD MARACUJÁ

The oudh-averse among you need not run away, for this truly is oudh as you’ve never smelled it. Maison Crivelli is a name on the lips of perfumistas everywhere, with founder Thibault Crivelli on a mission with his creations to put a twist on familiar ingredients – here, allowing Jordi Fernandez to add a tart medley of passion fruit, blackcurrant (plus a dash of saffron) to lift woods and resins out of the darkness. It washes skin with waves of freshness at first, before a sizzle of the saffron heats up the woodiness of the base. Never overwhelming, always wearable, this house is doing extraordinary thing and we say – watch this space for them to be even bigger! This is a truly shareable scent, too (not often the case with oudhs), though you may not be willing to…

Founder of the house, Thibaud Crivelli grew up in France, spending his childhood summers on the French Riviera. Later, he studied in Paris, before moving to China in 2006, living in various Asian countries for the next 10 years. With a diverse family heritage – Moroccan-born mother, grandmother raised in Vietnam, grandfather growing up in Lebanon, Australia and the Indian Ocean in his father’s blood, alongside his Italian ancestry – Thibaud’s tastes were formed with similar eclecticism. Considering that the previous three generations of Crivellis had traversed five continents, and with music, art and foods sampled from a wide variety of those cultures, it’s perhaps only natural that Thibaud became a sensorial adventurer.

SMELLING NOTES:

EXPLORE: MAISON CRIVELLI OUD MARACUJÁ

• Have you worn oudh fragrances before? Do you notice a difference with this?

• How long does the fruity note last on your skin?

• Would you feel this more suitable for day or evening wear, or both?

• As an extrait, this should be longer lasting – did you notice this?

• Which three words best sum up Oud Maracujá for you? Fruity? Surprising? Exciting? Over to you…

From £220 for 50 ml extrait de parfum selfridges.com

Maison Crivelli maisoncrivelli

SHAY & BLUE VOULEZ VOUS

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: FLORAL MUSK

TOP NOTES: espresso, coffee

HEART NOTES: white flowers, magnolia

BASE NOTES: vanilla bean

SHAY & BLUE

VOULEZ VOUS

Although coffee might not be the most ‘obvious’ perfume ingredient – you can see its appeal. Sipping a grande latte the perfect antidote to dark, rainy mornings, delivering all those comforting vibes in the same way as sweet treats like cake or biscuits. It also gives a fragrance character and depth without being too overbearing or rich. Perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth, Voulez Vous brings out the more confectionary side of coffee by combining it with vanilla and creamy floral notes of magnolia for an energising perfume pick-me-up.

Shay & Blue is the brainchild of Dom De Vetta, who previously honed his craft as a senior vice-president of Chanel and global general manager of Jo Malone London. So, it’s safe to say he knows what works when it comes to concocting a unique and different fragrance brand. He enlisted the talents of up-and-coming perfumer Julie Massé, whose unconventional childhood has certainly influenced her perfumery style, growing up in both Tokyo, Japan, and Paris, France. Each fragrance is distilled and blended by hand from real flowers, fruits and spices, which clearly suits nature lover Julie down to the ground. This scent is case in point – a dreamy white floral with an added caffeine buzz.

SMELLING NOTES:

EXPLORE: SHAY & BLUE

VOULEZ VOUS

• Are you a fan of coffee in scent? What do you think this note adds?

• If this scent were a lipstick shade, what would it be?

• Do you consider this a signature scent or would you save it for special occasions?

• Inhaling this, which notes stand out the most for you?

• Which three words best sum up Voulez Vous for you? Energising? Sweet? Addictive? Over to you...

From £15 for 10 ml eau de toilette shayandblue.com

We hope you love your box –and enjoyed these Smelling Notes Explore