Every week we seek out new to our noses and just-launched fragrances we think you’d love to explore. Why not break out of your comfort zone and try something completely different? Excite your senses this-a-way…
AEDES DE VENUSTUS
MUSC ENCENSÉ
Somewhere along the way, musk went from animalic to laundry-clean. For their ninth scent, New York fragrance name Aedes de Venustus recoups musk’s original sensuality, with Ralf Schwieger creating his own rendition of the most prized (and now outlawed) type, Tonkin musk. This smouldering tribute has a river of amber running through it, alongside AdV’s signature incense, and a lick of tonka – for us, it’s as sexy as musk oughtta be…
£210 for 100ml eau de parfum
jovoyparis.com
CARTIER
LA PANTHÈRE EAU DE TOILETTE
Prowling its way out of one of the most striking bottles of the past 10 years is an airier version of the much-loved La Panthère by Cartier’s resident genius perfumer Mathilde Laurent. As if that faceted bottle – carved on the inside into a panther’s face – wasn’t sparkling enough, the soft pink juice is infused with sunlight via fresh gardenia petals. Purr-fection. (And we love that it’s also available in a 25ml, travel-friendly, handbag-perfect size.)
From £51 for 25ml eau de toilette
debenhams.com
BJÖRK & BERRIES
MOONFLOWER
Swedish artist Anna Lewenhaupt (who studied at Central Saint Martins in London) has designed stunning hand-painted boxes for this limited edition from Swedish eco-skincare and fragrance experts Björk & Berries – inspired by the rare orchids found in the wet landscape of northern Sweden, which bloom in cold and crisp moonlight, attracting thousands of butterflies. Fig leaves, candied fruits, peach, rose, carnation, clove, amber, vetiver, patchouli, cedarwood and musk further ramp up the enchantment.
120 euros for 50ml eau de parfum
bjorkandberries.com
KATE SPADE NEW YORK
IN FULL BLOOM
A fragrance whose rose-capped bottle perfectly echoes the feminine scent inside. Italian lemon, green tea and lush green notes seduce the senses from first spritz, beckoning towards the dew-kissed floral heart of Rosa centifolia, rose petals, peony and lotus. Tying the whole bouquet together though, are blonde woods, cedarwood – and a deliciously fuzzy, creamy peach-skin note.
From £39 for 30ml eau de parfum
debenhams.com
ACQUA DI PARMA
BLU MEDITERRANEO CHINOTTO DI LUGURIA
Each Blu Mediterraneo introduction celebrates a citrus fruit – this time the lesser-known and rather rare Chinotto, from Liguria. Never before used in fragrance, it is not your average ephemeral Hesperidic fruit; chinotto has bittersweet qualities – paired, here, with mandarin for sparkle. At its heart lies a fresh geranium, invigorating, spicy cardamom and aromatic rosemary. Rounded off with musk and patchouli, it ultimately wraps skin in a spicy warmth and a subtle, underlying, creaminess.
£66 for 75ml eau de toilette
johnlewis.com