Continuing our Scents of Occasion series celebrating late spring and early summer events in fragrant form, our focus now is for Epsom Derby Ladies Day. A spectacle of elegance, colour, and tradition – a day where the air is charged with excitement and the senses are awakened by the theatre of racing and fashion. What better way to mark the occasion than with a fragrance that evokes the very spirit of the occasion?
Here, we explore scents inspired by the leather of saddles, the lush green turf, and the shimmering silks of both jockeys and racegoers. Why not let your scent be even more memorable than your hat – and may your day at the Derby be a fragrant triumph…
Leather – The Saddles
Maison Crivelli Oud Stallion
A gallop of saffron and cardamom, smoky oud and supple leather – the thrill of the race, the warmth of sunlit saddles, and a whisper of rose in the wind.
Incense and pink pepper crackle above a heart of leather and oud, with rose and carnation lending a velvet touch, musky and magnetic as the winning stride.
Hay and grass, leather reins, a ripe peach savoured mid-ride; vetiver and tobacco smoulder as the stables echo with laughter and the promise of adventure.
Daffodil and fig leaf drift on a breeze of cut grass, water and vetiver; a green, dewy morning on emerald turf, soft woods grounding the wild, open air.
Mitcham mint and geranium awaken the senses, while fir balsam, cedar, and holy grass conjure petrichor and the magnetic hush just before the race begins.
Try in their Discovery Set (all three Vallense fragrance samples for £21)in our shop
Silks – The Gowns and Colours
Creed Queen of Silk
Osmanthus and magnolia shimmer over tuberose and passion fruit; vanilla and incense trail like the swish of a silk gown, regal and irresistibly soft.
Neroli and petitgrain float above gardenia, jasmine, and fig; a sunlit silk scarf fluttering in the breeze, warm amber and sandalwood glowing gently on the skin.
There’s something inherently magical about a garden party: the gentle clink of glasses, laughter floating on a breeze, and the air alive with the scent of fresh blooms and cut grass.
While many of us picture these joyous gatherings taking place in our own back gardens – surrounded by familiar flowers and cherished memories – the beauty of fragrance is its ability to transport us far beyond our fences.
In this special edit, we celebrate perfumes that evoke the spirit of the garden party, whether rooted in the English countryside or whisking us away to sun-dappled groves and grand estates abroad.
Join us as we explore a selection of scents that capture the essence of alfresco revelry, inviting you to travel via your nose to garden parties both near and far…
Kingdom Scotland Botanica
Kingdom Botanica was a passion project for founder Imogen Russon-Taylor, who told us: ‘When I moved to Edinburgh and had my first child, I’d walk with my pram through the gardens every day. I saw them through all the seasons, as my maternity leave progressed, and the gardens always gave me such an incredible sense of peace and tranquillity.’ Having been given access to botanic samples carried over by Darwin on the Beagle, Botanica is a scented tribute to ‘all the botanists, scientists and adventurous Scottish plant hunters of the past, present and future’, created with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Think blackcurrant meets pine needles, herbaceous verdancy and a soothing woodiness that hugs its borders. Glorious!
For this one, let’s imagine we’re attending a garden party in Italy (how fabulous!) and are sauntering beneath the shade of citrus groves – the sparkle of their zest filling the air, the whole trees appreciated, from leaf and stem to trunk and earth, and of course the abundance of luscious, sun-warmed fruit. The house say: ‘Vert Empire from Mizensir is inspired by the beauty of the Mediterranean, the abundance of lemon and orange trees basking in the sunshine. Uplifting in composition with aromatic intensity and zest. Essence of mandarin and petitgrain conjure the beauty of citrus fruits yet to be harvested, the freshness of the Mediterranean is represented with paradisone, a floral citrus note, with a hint of cardamom. The scent allows you to travel amongst the Italian groves with hints of woody notes, sandalwood and ambrox, angelica and sage.’ Oh let’s grab our passports and go, shall we?!
Firmly on home ground for this garden party, we imagine bunting gently fluttering in the breeze, cloudless blue skies, bumblebees droning and afternoon teas. Perfumer and founder Sarah McCartney explains the inspo best, saying: ‘We were invited to make a midsummer scent for a 2013 charity evening in Ealing, West London, using plants and flowers named in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, so we imagined the scenes taking place by Pitzhanger Manor on Ealing Green, and created the aroma of a magical summer evening. Its perfect for wearing in the heat. It starts with a wander through the herb and flower gardens of Walpole Park, takes in a picnic on the grass and ends up lying on the lawn by the pond, staring at the clouds floating by, smelling the warm earth.’ Just about the perfect English summer’s day, bottled, we’d say.
For this party, we think of a grand house, and an elegant lady flitting from the hubbub for a moment of contemplation in the wilder part of the garden. Her taffeta skirt brushes hedges and flower borders along the way, and as dusk settles the scent of the garden is carried in swirls and eddies around her, like an invisible shawl to match her light-shifting gown. As Angela Flanders beautifully evoke: ‘A dewy top note of hyacinth enhances the delicate notes of iris and rose in the heart of Taffeta. A touch of smoky vetiver, calamus and civet in the base add a sophisticated depth as the perfume warms and opens on the skin. Taffeta captures the early evening when dusk starts to fall, and we prepare to embark on an evening adventure. The elegant dry and mysterious quality of silk taffeta, which appears to change with the light, is the inspiration for this elusive and elegant perfume.’
A right royal garden party, this one, which Penhaligon’s explains as having been inspired by the unique atmosphere of this treasured place: ‘In Summer, Highgrove Gardens hum with a smell often described as earthly sunshine’ they say, continuing: ‘The grass bows to weeping silver lime, mimosa, and cedar.’ Captured quite literally (using Headspace Technology) the linden blossom in this beguiling scent glides through a fluffy breeze of of that mimosa, grounded in the cedar, and enlivened by citrus. It’s a radiant delight to wear at any time, of course, but really comes into its own when wafted forth during the summer – the very season it seeks to capture in scented form. Incredibly, this wasn’t a mere ‘inspired by’ project. Highgrove Bouquet was created with HRH King Charles III (then The Prince of Wales), in part as a tribute to the magnificently fragrant summers he’s spent at his beloved Highgrove Gardens.
Whether you’re hosting friends on the lawn, daydreaming beneath a shady tree, or simply longing for a moment of escapism, these garden party perfumes promise to conjure the joy and splendour of outdoor celebrations with every spritz. From the comforting familiarity of homegrown blooms to the allure of distant, fragrant landscapes, let your senses lead you on a scented adventure. Wherever your garden party takes place – be it close to home or in the wildest corners of your imagination – these fragrances ensure the festivities are always in full bloom.
If you’re peering at grey skies and sighing, why not consider delving into your fragrance collection for a spritz of sunshine? We bet there are many scents sitting neglected on dressing tables and shelves around the U.K. right now, which you keep looking at, wistfully, and whispering ‘…not yet, my precious, We’ll wait for a nice warm day again.’
Well look – we’ve had some gorgeous spring weather thus far and cannot really complain at a blustery day or the rainfall the gardens have sorely needed. I mean, we DO, but we shouldn’t. Instead of glowering to match the mood, uplift it by raiding your stash this instant. Don’t you dare save these for summer – wear them now and make it happen in fragrant form…
VALENTINO BORN IN ROMA YELLOW DREAM DONNA
Celebrating ‘a new beginning, full of life, hope and optimism’ (YES please!) we’re imagining a golden sunrise over Rome – lemon coloured blossom carpets the pavement as a confident woman strides forth to greet the new day. Floral yet fruity (in the most grown up, effervescent way), this gives us vibes of just-washed hair gleaming in the sun, a vibrant yellow dress, heels kicked off, a musky trail followed in bare feet on sun-warmed cobbles.
Goutal effortlessly whisk us to the sun-drenched Mediterranean on a breeze of orange blossom absolute, neroli, bergamot and myrtle. Annick Goutal herself began her training in Grasse; now, Camille Goutal and Isabelle Doyen revisit the landscape of a thousand bitter orange trees and Provence’s garrigue (its characteristic aromatic trees and scrubland), introducing sandalwood and a bran absolute note for a pashmina-like, cocooning finale.
Holiday sea breezes and azure waters: does anything get better than that? Lucky for us, Sel d’Argent features in BDK’s Collection Azur, and captures that shimmering coastal magic of the Mediterranean, with its clear blue waters (echoed in the flacon), and its salty accord – further freshened by grapefruit and bergamot. But this is more enduring than you’d expect from that initial freshness, warmed and softened in its sunset moments by come-closer elements of Timebrsilk, Cashmeran, Ambroxan and white musk. Dreamy, indeed.
Holiday in a bottle? Well, this was dreamed following a meeting between Jovoy’s globetrotting founder François Hénin and Qatari social media megastar and A-list perfumista, Abdulaziz Al Ajail. As ever with Jeroboam, perfumer Vanina Muracciole translated the travel-lust vision into scent, swirling together a heady cloud of tuberose, cedarwood and Ambroxan to evoke ‘heaven on earth’: the Maltese island of Gozo. Let’s close our eyes and go-go there in our dreams!
Within their clever series of musically-inspired fragrances, here we get to spin a vibrant cocktail of saffron, raspberry and pink pepper that seamlessly segues into the darker floral heart of fruity osmanthus, smouldering davana and hypnotic jasmine sambac. When the base kicks in with a salty lick of ambergris atop patchouli, leather and tolu balm, you’ll be lost in the rhythm of this fragrantly alluring flow. Bring on summer party vibes with this perfume, we say!
Francis Kurkdjian is a master of capturing light in fragrance, a gift that radiates through every creation bearing his name. Now the in-house perfumer at Dior, while very much continuing to helm his own Maison Francis Kurkdjian, he balances a disciplined, methodical approach with a poetic sensibility.
Let’s explore the luminosity…
Rising as early as 5 a.m., Kurkdjian begins his day with remarkable efficiency and clarity. ‘People generally link creativity to romanticism, like a free spirit with your hair blowing in the wind, but it doesn’t work that way; you need a frame within which to work,’ he observes. This structured mindset, combined with a minimalist aesthetic and a meticulously organised workspace, allows him to distil moments of light and emotion into scent with extraordinary precision.
Within his Maison, Kurkdjian’s fragrances are singularly suffused with radiance, each bottle seeming to glow softly from within. Indeed, many of his compositions are conceived as luminous expressions of time and mood – from the delicate freshness of dawn to the warm embrace of twilight. ‘I have a creative routine that I apply for most of my projects,’ he explains. ‘As an early bird I am at the office around 7:30 – 8 the latest. It’s the best time for me to work on a scent, to smell the trials I have made previously.’
This dedication to routine and focus is reflected in the clarity and elegance of his perfumes, which unfold like carefully composed symphonies of light as they warm on the skin. Now, which of these light-filled fragrances have you tried, we wonder…?
Petit Matin
‘Rise at dawn, escape into the delicious freshness of an early morning in Paris and rediscover a taste for beauty.’
Petit Matin sparkles like the first light of day, evoking the quiet streets and deserted arcades of Paris bathed in dawn’s gentle glow. The fragrance opens with the vibrant zest of litsea cubeba and orange blossom, their citrus brightness immediately awakening the senses. The floral softness of lavandin and hawthorn adds a delicate, dewy freshness, conjuring the sensation of morning air kissed by light. Beneath this radiant veil, a labyrinth of musky notes weaves subtle warmth without diminishing the scent’s airy clarity. Petit Matin is a bright, shimmering eau de parfum that invites wearers to dive into the excitement and promise of a new day.
‘Before the City’s lights turn on, a range of dazzling colors from honey to a captivating amber paint the sky.’
Now we are bathed in the sumptuous glow of twilight, when daylight’s last golden embers mingle with the approaching night. Rich and enveloping, it opens with a deep accord of cistus labdanum, lavandin, and cinnamon leaf-a tapestry of resinous warmth and gentle spice. The heart and base unfold into an amber-vanilla accord enriched with sweet balsamic benzoin facets, creating an olfactory glow that is both vibrant and sensuous. Grand Soir wraps the wearer in a soft caress of evening light, exuding a magnetic allure that is simply irresistible.
‘An overdose of musks and vanilla with the floral, spicy note of coriander seeds brings ethereal volume and a lingering trail.’
A warm, generous hug where the richness of vanilla and amber-y gilded woods is lifted by the sparkling floral-spicy essence of coriander seeds and an abundance of musks. The fragrance radiates a glowing warmth, reminiscent of candlelight filtering through sun-dappled rooms. Its enveloping trail is both comforting and luminous-a sensuous melody that lingers with effortless elegance. This scent invites the wearer to bask in a golden aura of radiant intimacy. Yes, please!
‘An ascending, ultra-fresh, aromatic note, similar to a “gin frappé” effect, balanced by the dry, slightly balmy, spicy notes of nutmeg.’
Shimmering with crystalline freshness, it’s hard to believe Kurkdjian conjured such a differing character from the exact same notes as Gold. Yet here juniper berries burst forth with invigorating piquancy, evoking the cool fizz of a gin-based cocktail. Nutmeg and amber woods add a dry, balmy warmth that grounds the composition without dulling its airy brilliance. The musks and vanilla base reveal facets ranging from sweet and enveloping to clean and powerful, creating a scent that is both vibrant and comforting. Silver’s luminous trail is like a delicate lace shawl spun from dew-speckled spiderwebs-ethereal, shimmering, and utterly captivating.
‘The idea of sensuality, pulsing with brightness and warmth, inspired by the island of Formentera.’
Embodying the radiant balance of sun and shade, inspired by Kurkdjian’s summer escapes to the island of Formentera. It opens with sparkling Sicilian mandarin and Calabrian lemon, their citrus brightness tempered by the soft, luminous floralcy of sweet mock orange and lily of the valley. The base of guaiac wood, vanilla, and tonka bean lends a gentle, glowing warmth that feels both fresh and sensual. Aqua Vitae captures the magnetic attraction between two people-a luminous dance of light and shadow, cool air and sun-kissed skin-distilled into a fragrance that is at once energising and tender.
‘A carnal eau de parfum with a sensually luminous, radiant, and generous sillage.’
Diving deeper into a gilded trail, this scent is an intimate dialogue between fragrance and skin, where light and warmth unfold in a floral, aromatic amber embrace. The top notes sparkle with bursting freshness of lavender and generous orange blossom, creating an immediately familiar and radiant signature. Ylang-ylang lends sunny brightness, while vanilla and white musks wrap the composition in a soft, airy sillage. It seems to hug the contours of body and personality with a glowing sensuousness.
Francis Kurkdjian’s Maison creations are a testament to his extraordinary ability to translate light into olfactory poetry. Whether it is the crisp clarity of dawn in Petit Matin, the golden depths of Grand Soir, or the shimmering duality of the Gentle Fluidity duo, each fragrance is a radiant expression of mood and moment. His disciplined routine, early mornings, and orderly mind are reflected in the elegant minimalism and luminous complexity of his scents – a true master of bottling light…
How can we layer some extra light into scents when we need it most? It’s certainly true that as spring unfolds and the days grow longer, many of us feel the urge to infuse our fragrances with a little extra brightness. And here’s how we do it…
Sometimes, the perfumes we adore can feel a touch too heavy or muted for these lively, sunlit days. Rather than retiring them, why not breathe new life into those scents by layering with lighter, fresher companions? Layering is a joyful, creative way to lift your spirits and add radiance to your fragrance wardrobe – especially when the afternoon lull threatens to dim your energy.
Why Layer?
Layering allows you to balance richness with luminosity. Look for notes that bring sparkle and freshness – zesty citrus like bergamot, mandarin, or petitgrain; sparkling spices such as pink pepper or ginger; delicate florals like neroli or jasmine; and soft musks or woods that add warmth without weight. These elements can enliven your mood and sharpen your focus, making layering a perfect pick-me-up when you need a burst of vitality.
Don’t be shy about spritzing a lighter scent over your usual perfume on pulse points or hair, letting the layers mingle and evolve throughout the day.
Start gently, experiment, and enjoy discovering new light-filled olfactory moments, whenever you need them.
Happy spring-light shopping and sniffing!
Edeniste Lifeboost Discovery Set
These ground-breaking, mood-boosting fragrances have been researched and created with the help of neuroscientists to target the needs we all have depending how we feel. From energising and reviving to soothing and aiding bursts of joy while you wear them, we suggest trying their Discovery Set of the layer-able Lifeboosts to keep on hand (and wrist) as a kind of olfactory toolbox. Worn alone they’re wonderful, of course, but we think you get the best sense of their scented super-powers when spritzed atop another scent. They slice through any malaise and are noticeably adding newness, while perfectly harmonising with whatever you might already be wearing.
Try these next three from the Edeniste collection for EXTRA spring light-filled freshness…
Edeniste Lifeboost Happiness
Lifeboost Happiness is a vibrant celebration of exotic mango, bursting with juicy, colourful notes of raspberry and watermelon that dance like sunlight on water. This sparkling fruity floral is anchored by pure Virginian cedarwood essence, lending a warm, woody embrace that grounds the exuberance with subtle sophistication. Layered over a deeper floral or gourmand perfume, Happiness infuses your scent with a tropical fizz and carefree joy, transporting you to sun-drenched shores and brightening your mood with every spritz.
Lifeboost Wellbeing offers a refined harmony of crisp Ethiopian ginger and vibrant pink peppercorn from La Réunion, creating a sparkling, invigorating top accord. At its heart, precious Indian jasmine and delicate Chinese iris add a floral softness, while the whole composition settles into a verdant, dewy quality reminiscent of a forest after rain. Layer this atop woody or amber fragrances and Wellbeing breathes fresh vitality and calm into your scent, balancing richness with a green, uplifting clarity that enlivens both mood and senses.
Lifeboost Energy is a sparkling symphony of bergamot, grapefruit, and lemon, lifted by a lively spark of Ethiopian ginger absolute. Jasmine and rose add a floral brightness that dances atop a soft base of musk, cedarwood, and amber. Layer over a richer perfume, and it cuts through any heaviness with fresh, zesty clarity – like sunlight breaking through clouds. Perfect for an afternoon boost, it transforms your scent into a lively celebration of spring’s vitality.
The Merchant of Venice Accordi Profumo Petitgrain Paraguay
Petitgrain Paraguay offers a fresh elegance with peel-like citrus top notes and a herbaceous heart reminiscent of sunlit leaves. Its subtle woody undertones provide a seamless transition to deeper fragrances, making it an ideal layer. When combined with a heavier floral or amber scent, it breathes new life into the composition, lifting it with a crisp, invigorating breeze – like a stroll through a blossoming garden on a perfect spring day.
The Merchant of Venice Accordi Profumo Bergamotto Italia
Bergamotto Italia reveals the juicy pulp and green nuances of bergamot, balanced by dry and woody facets that add refinement. Layer over a dense or gourmand perfume and it acts like a ray of sunshine – brightening and clarifying without diminishing character. This fragrance adds a tonic-like freshness to your collection, perfect for moments when you want your perfume to feel lighter, more sparkling, and utterly uplifting.
The Merchant of Venice Accordi Profumo Arancia Brasile
Arancia Brasile captures sun-drenched Brazilian oranges with a juicy, vibrant heart. Beyond the citrus burst, it reveals woody and green layers that make it versatile. Layer this over spicy or oriental bases to add juicy sweetness, or pair it with lighter florals to amplify natural brightness. Like a sunbeam cutting through afternoon haze, it infuses your perfume with joyful, zesty spirit.
The Merchant of Venice Accordi Profumo Neroli Marocco
Neroli Marocco celebrates orange blossom with a heady white floral heart softened by aromatic citrus notes. Layered atop rich amber or vanilla bases, it adds a Mediterranean glow – warm yet fresh, like a gentle sea breeze on a blossoming spring afternoon. This scent lifts heavier perfumes, imbuing them with sparkling elegance and sunlit charm.
Layering fragrances is a delightful way to refresh both your collection and your mood. By combining bright, zesty notes with your favourite base scents, you create a personalised perfume that feels lighter, more energised, and utterly spring-like. Embrace experimentation – start small, test combinations, and enjoy the process of discovering new olfactory luminosity in your life.
When the afternoon lull creeps in, reach for a spritz of something fresh and light filled layered over your usual perfume. It’s a simple, powerful way to lift your spirits, sharpen your focus, and carry the joyous energy of spring wherever you go. After all, fragrance isn’t only about how it smells (though obviously that’s important) – it’s about how it makes us FEEL.
So, why not layer up, breathe deeply, and feel brighter by letting your perfume shine with the light of the season?
There is a rare and precious quality to sunrise: a gentle hush, a promise of possibility, the world bathed in golden clarity before the day unfurls its full brilliance. For perfumers, capturing the essence of sunrise is to bottle hope itself-a luminous optimism, soft yet vital, that beckons us to step forward into new beginnings. This week, as part of our exploration of ‘light’ in fragrance, we turn our faces to the dawn and discover three scents that evoke the first rays of morning…
But what does it mean to create a sunrise in fragrant form? The brief is as poetic as it is precise: conjure freshness without chill, radiance without glare, the warmth of new light as it kisses skin and stirs the senses.
The perfumer must balance clarity and softness, weaving notes that shimmer with energy yet remain cocooning and gentle. Citrus, dew-laden florals, and the faintest whisper of musk or wood are often the chosen palette – each ingredient carefully selected to evoke the optimism, serenity, and subtle thrill of daybreak.
A sunrise scent is never brash. It is the olfactory equivalent of drawing back the curtains on a sunlit morning, letting hope spill in.
These fragrances are designed to uplift, to clear the mind, to inspire movement and gentle joy. They are the scents of beginnings-of possibility, of lightness, of the world remade anew.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Petit Matin
“A stroll through Paris in the first glimmers of daylight”
Petit Matin is the very embodiment of a Parisian dawn. Imagine the city’s arcades still deserted, the air tinged with the promise of adventure, and the first golden beams glancing off cobblestones. Here, the luminous energy of litsea cubeba and orange blossom sparkles at the top, as if sunlight itself has been distilled into droplets. Lavandin and hawthorn lend a soft, floral haze-like the gentle blur of early morning light, while a labyrinth of musky notes anchors the composition, warm and quietly sensorial. This is a fragrance that feels both invigorating and comforting: a brisk walk through cool air, hands cupped around a morning coffee, the city slowly coming to life. Petit Matin is bright, sparkling, and full of anticipation for the day ahead.
Angela Flanders’ Lawn is the olfactory portrait of an English garden at first light. The name itself conjures a vision: the delicate green of freshly mown grass, cool earth beneath bare feet, and the air still trembling with the memory of dawn’s dew. Flanders, ever the alchemist, was known for her ability to distil atmosphere and emotion into scent, and daughter, Kate Evans similarly evoked a sense of place and time in this, her debut scent after her mother’s passing. Capturing the quiet optimism of a garden awakening, before the heat of the day scorches through, verdant galbanum, soothingly aromatic lemon balm, bright bergamot, whispers of tuberose, and jasmine flutter to earthy patchouli. It is the scent of peaceful solitude, of possibility unfurling leaf by leaf, petal by petal.
“A trilogy of roses veiled in the silvery mist of dawn”
This is sunrise as seen through the lens of a dreamlike garden, where roses glisten with dew and the air is cool, yet tinged with the promise of warmth. The fragrance opens with radiant mandarin, a burst of citrus light that cuts through the mist, while pink pepper adds a gentle, spicy warmth. At its heart, a trilogy of roses – Centifolia, Damascena, and a soft rose accord – blossom alongside delicate peony and lily of the valley, creating a plush, petal-soft effect. Fluffy musks in the base form a cocoon of subtle sweetness and grounding warmth. It’s airy yet hushed, capturing the quiet elegance of morning, a sky painted in soft pastels, the world poised on the threshold of day.
To wear a sunrise scent is to carry a little radiance with you-a reminder that every day begins with hope, that light returns, and that beauty can be found in the quietest of moments. Whether you’re drawn to the sparkling optimism of Petit Matin, the verdant hush of Lawn, or the dewy romance of Eladaria, these fragrances invite you to greet the day with open arms and a joyful heart.
Next, we’ll bask in the golden glow of sunny afternoons. But for now, let us linger in the gentle embrace of dawn, and say: good morning, sunshine with every spritz!
Solar scents are soaring, but what are they, and how do perfumers create sunlight in a fragrance formula? Over the coming weeks, we’ll be exploring individual scents in a series of radiant blogs-each one a celebration of the artistry and optimism that perfumers pour into these luminous creations. From orange blossom-dappled courtyards to creamy, café-latte dawns, we’ll discover how the feeling of sunlight can be captured in a bottle.
But before we delve into individual perfumes in our upcoming series of light-filled blogs, let’s bask in the glow of what gives solar fragrances their radiance, and how perfumers manage to bottle the feeling of sunlight itself…
Firstly: What Makes a Fragrance ‘Solar’?
‘Solar’ in scent is about more than just citrus or a holiday snapshot in a bottle. It’s a feeling-uplifting, radiant, and warm. As Master Perfumer Alberto Morillas explains, ‘Solar denotes a feeling of sunshine – but with it a physical feeling of being uplifted, of turning our faces toward the light source, a perfumed purr of warm cat contentedness.’ For Morillas, orange blossom is essential: ‘Orange puts the soleil into a fragrance – it’s sunshine in flower form.’ He cannot smell orange blossom without thinking of the sun, and for him, creating a solar fragrance is about more than just a sunny impression. ‘For me it goes much deeper than that,’ he says, reminiscing about his childhood in sun-drenched Seville.
He continues, explaining exactly what he hoped to evoke in Mizensir Solar Blossom: ‘You have the sun, you have the light and the water – always a fountain in the middle of the square – and to me, solar means your soul is being lifted upwards, you’re looking up from the cool shade of a courtyard to the sun, so powerful, above.’
Morillas uses jasmine and musk alongside orange blossom to create what he calls ‘the dimension of the sun’, describing how a solar fragrance should always be changing, ‘just like the sky. The clouds will be forever shifting.’
Barbara Zoebelein, the nose behind Lalique’s Soleil, describes her approach as ‘a “luminous floral”, in which elements of typically solar structures are presented but executed in a much more softly radiant way.’ Her goal was to capture ‘the ease and warmth of the very private and luxurious moment of waking up to a sun-filled morning at home, happy to be alive,’ using ‘light frothy and creamy-milky tones of caffe latte with breezy notes of fresh morning air’ and a ‘crisp, mouthwatering and dewy accord of pear granita’ to evoke this luminous ease.
Calice Becker, who composed Parfums de Marly Cassili, took a different approach, eschewing typical solar notes for a blend of plum, frangipani and sandalwood to create ‘a creamy tropical feeling that I describe as solar.’ For Becker, it’s about that ‘holiday-in-a-bottle, instantaneous hit of happiness.’
The Ingredients of Sunlight
Solar fragrances are built from an evocative palette of ingredients, each chosen to conjure a different facet of sunlight:
Citrus fruits: Bergamot, mandarin, lemon-sparkling, zesty, and bright as midday sun. These notes are vital for that initial burst of light, though perfumers must work carefully, as citrus can be fleeting and tricky to balance.
White florals: Orange blossom, neroli, jasmine-creamy, luminous, and airy, they evoke the sensation of turning your face to the sun.
Tropical touches: Frangipani, tiaré, ylang-ylang-sun-warmed, exotic, and transporting, like stretching out on a beach towel in some faraway paradise.
Milky and creamy notes: Coconut, almond, café latte-soft and comforting, reminiscent of the first rays of dawn and the gentle start of a sunlit day.
Amber, musk, and woods: These add warmth and depth, mimicking the sensation of sun on skin.
Fruity and dewy accords: Pear granita and similar notes bring a mouthwatering, fresh dimension.
Solar accords aren’t restricted to the ‘bright’ notes; they can also evoke sun-warmed skin, creamy tropical air, or even the soft, milky glow of a sunrise at home.
Why Are We Drawn to Solar Scents?
Fragrance trends reflect the mood of the moment. In a world that can feel shadowed and uncertain, it’s only natural to crave scents that offer a ray of olfactory sunshine. As Louisa May Alcott wrote, ‘Some people seemed to get all sunshine, and some all shadow.’ Right now, we’re all weary of shadows, and solar fragrances offer a way to look towards the light.
Solar ready for the brighter days? We say: seek out your sunniest scents (no matter the weather), spritz generously, don your shades, and let the sunshine in!
The fashion landscape is blossoming with exciting new trends that promise to refresh our wardrobes. But we say: why stop at clothing? The perfect fragrance can add extra frolic to your sartorial choices, creating a truly complementary sensory experience! So, let’s explore how this season’s most coveted fashion trends can be paired with exquisite scents from some of the most distinguished perfume houses…
The revival of bubble hems (yes, really) brings a playful bounce to spring silhouettes. This whimsical trend calls for Goutal’s Rose Pompon, a fragrance that mirrors the same joyful spirit. The scent captures the essence of plump, dewy rose petals mingled with blackcurrant and raspberry, creating a buoyant, effervescent aura that perfectly complements the structured yet carefree nature of bubble-hemmed garments. The fragrance dances between sweet and tart notes, echoing the delicate balance of volume and shape in this nostalgic silhouette.
For those embracing the sharp suiting trend, Atkinsons’ 24 Old Bond Street offers an impeccable olfactory companion. This sophisticated blend of juniper, black tea, and whisky notes creates a composed, confident presence that enhances the authoritative elegance of tailored pieces. The fragrance’s refined freshness last much longer than its Cologne strength may suggest, behaving like a well-constructed blazer forming the foundation of a polished wardrobe. Its British heritage resonates particularly well with the corporate chic aesthetic, feeling put-together yet effortless.
It’s Ahoy! once again for the nautical-inspired trend sailing into spring, and gorgeous match is the modern classic of Diptyque’s Philosykos. As designers showcase maritime-inspired pieces in cobalt blue and crisp white stripes, this fragrance evokes Mediterranean coastlines with its verdant fig leaf, coconut, and cedar composition. The scent captures the essence of sun-drenched shores and salt-kissed breezes, complementing the seafaring style with its fresh yet sophisticated character. Like a perfectly striped Breton top, Philosykos balances casual charm with timeless appeal.
The desert storm trend, with its dusty neutrals and billowing silhouettes, demands a fragrance with warmth and equally effusive character. BDK’s Gris Charnel offers an addictive trail of fig, black tea, and sandalwood that mirrors the dry, earthy sophistication of these windswept designs. The fragrance’s spicy cardamom and creamy fig notes develop beautifully throughout the day, evolving as neutral tones take on different dimensions as they catch the spring sunshine or highlight the shady, darker tones. Its beguiling complexity perfectly enhances the understated elegance of this adventurous yet refined trend.
The romantic trend, with its flowing fabrics and delicate details, calls for Coach’s Wild Rose – a fragrance that perfectly captures this unashamedly frilly and feminine aesthetic. Opening with sparkling redcurrant and spicy bergamot, it blooms into a lush heart of delicate rose and jasmine sambac before settling into a warm base of crystal moss and dusky ambroxan. With romantic silhouettes ruling the runways, this scent balances strength with softness, creating an aura that’s both bold and beautifully nuanced. The fragrance’s rich character evokes the untamed beauty of wildflower fields (we’re gambolling amidst them in our minds, even if it’s a bit too chilly yet!), and complementing the dreamy, ethereal quality of spring’s most romantic garments.
Whether you’re embracing bubble hems or shouldering the sharp suiting this spring, remember that the right fragrance can elevate your fashion choices to create a signature style that engages all the senses. After all, the most memorable impressions are created when what we see and what we smell work in perfect harmony, so why not consider matching your style to your scent choices, too…?
Spring is a time of renewal, of fresh beginnings and blossoming possibilities. But not all floral fragrances are created equal, and some take us on journeys far beyond the expected garden path. Here are five extraordinary scents that reimagine what a spring floral can be, each one challenging our perceptions and delighting our senses in the most unexpected ways…
4160 Tuesdays Tokyo Spring Blossom
Imagine standing in a parallel universe where cherry blossoms whisper secrets carried on ethereal winds. Tokyo Spring Blossom exists in this liminal space, neither here nor there, but somehow everywhere at once. It begins with a cascade of citrus notes dancing like sunlight through branches, before revealing its true character: a powdery violet and rose heart that feels both nostalgic and utterly contemporary. As time passes, the fragrance transforms into something altogether more mysterious – a smooth, resinous embrace of tolu, opoponax and benzoin that grounds the floral lightness with earthy wisdom. This is more than just a delightfully unique spring floral scent, it’s a philosophical question bottled – a scent that demands contemplation as it shifts between familiarity and strangeness, between the natural world and artistic interpretation. Sarah McCartney’s creation exists in that magical space where chemistry becomes poetry, where synthetic notes paradoxically create something that feels more authentic than nature itself.
The bottle alone – soft pink, sensually curved – hints at the transformation within. Lifeboost Love reimagines the spring floral as a self-care ritual, a daily affirmation bottled in liquid form. The initial encounter brings a burst of crimson berries and cherries, their juices running wild amongst torn green leaves: vibrant, alive, and utterly mouthwatering. This fruity overture gradually melts into a heart that pulses with deep emotion – velvety rose petals unfurl alongside heady tuberose and jasmine, their white petals steaming with intensity. What elevates this beyond a simple floral is the creamy almond oil that weaves throughout, transforming the composition into something akin to a fragrant elixir brewed by a modern alchemist. The result is not merely full of the romance of spring but soul-elevating – a scent that celebrates love in all its forms, beginning with the most important relationship of all: the one we have with ourselves.
Bukhara doesn’t simply evoke spring flowers – it transports you along the ancient Silk Road, where cultures and scents intermingled in a grand olfactory exchange. The journey begins with succulent peach and blackcurrant, their sweet juiciness creating a mirage-like oasis in the desert of everyday life. As you travel deeper into the fragrance, a triumvirate of white flowers emerges – tuberose, jasmine, and orange blossom—their voices harmonising in perfect pitch, carried on warm, arid winds that speak of distant lands and exotic promises. The dry-down reveals the true treasure at the end of this aromatic expedition: sumptuous woods and vanilla create a foundation of quiet luxury, while a whisper of oudh adds an element of mystery that lingers like a half-remembered dream. This is no ordinary floral—it’s an olfactory tapestry woven with threads of history, geography and imagination.
The Brazilian rainforest meets classical perfumery in this exuberant creation from Givaudan perfumer Leandro Petit. Flora Magnifica pulses with the vibrant energy of South American biodiversity, reimagining spring flowers through a tropical lens. Traditional floral notes—rose, magnolia, and jasmine—are transformed by their proximity to exotic coconut blossom, creating an unexpected alliance that feels both familiar and thrillingly new. Juicy nectarine adds a succulent dimension, its sweetness tempered by the sophisticated embrace of musk and creamy sandalwood. The result is a fragrance that seems to shimmer with sunlight filtered through dense jungle canopy – at once verdant and bright, soft and assertive. Like the samba that inspired it, Flora Magnifica moves with a rhythm all its own, bringing the carnival spirit to the often-predictable world of floral fragrances.
Who better to inspire a subversive take on spring florals than literature’s most famous dandy? Floris Wilde pays homage to Oscar Wilde’s legendary wit and style with a composition that defies convention at every turn. The opening salvo of citrus blossom and bergamot feels deceptively traditional—a gentleman’s cologne from a bygone era… but this is merely setting the stage for what follows. The heart reveals the fragrance’s true character: a specially created green carnation accord (Wilde’s signature buttonhole flower) intertwined with spicy ginger and white jasmine. This unexpected combination struts and preens with all the confidence of its namesake, challenging preconceptions about what a floral scent can be. As it settles, notes of sandalwood, benzoin and olibanum create a sophisticated foundation worthy of Wilde himself—intellectual, complex, and utterly compelling. This is not a fragrance for wallflowers, but rather for those who, like Wilde, understand that being natural is simply not dramatic enough.
As the welcome sunshine of spring begins to filter into our lives, it’s the perfect time to refresh our surroundings and usher in the brighter, happier days ahead. The season of renewal is upon us, and with it comes the urge to shake off the swaddling of winter and embrace the vibrant colours and scents that spring has to offer.
Alongside the traditional spring cleaning, which clears our spaces of clutter and dust, it’s also a great opportunity to update our home fragrances. This is where candles come into play, often overlooked as a colder months-only delight, but equally magical in spring. They can bring an immediate and radiant joy to our surroundings, capturing the essence of the season and filling our homes with the promise of longer days and warmer weather.
Even unlit, these beautifully crafted candles fill the air with their inviting aromas, and we urge you to shake off the cobwebs, fling open the windows, and let these four fabulous candles into your life…
Let’s start with La Montaña’s First Light Candle, a soul-cleansing blend of wild, aromatic mountain flora including fennel, rosemary, mountain pepper, and rockrose. This scent transports you to a serene mountain morning, where the air is crisp, and the world feels full of possibility. The founders describe it as a ‘heavenly fragrance’ that weaves a magical spell, capturing the essence of a new day and a new life. We heartily agree! As the first light of spring dawns, this candle embodies the promise of fresh beginnings.
£39 for 220g
Next, we have La Montaña’s Siesta Candle, a soothing lullaby for your senses. Featuring hushed lavender and a cooling herbaceous breeze of juniper and thyme, it invites you to pause and bask in the warmth of a spring afternoon. Imagine yourself gently swaying in a hammock, surrounded by the sun-baked fragrances of the countryside, as the crickets serenade you to sleep. This candle is a perfect way to unwind and let the tranquillity of spring envelop you.
£39 for 220g
Moving to Cochine’s Juniper & Ginger Candle, we find a fresh and uplifting scent reminiscent of lush, green woods and exotic mountains. The crisp fragrance of juniper combines with the sweet spiciness of ginger, complemented by hints of clove, bergamot, and patchouli, all blended with the invigorating freshness of eucalyptus. This candle is a breath of fresh air, capturing the invigorating essence of spring’s awakening.
£45 for 230g
Lastly for this spring-edit, Cochine’s White Jasmine & Gardenia Candle brings the elegance of Saigon’s sun-filled streets and gardens into your home. The delicate white petals of jasmine, gardenia, and peony unfold an enchanting aura that is both soft and sophisticated. With a burn time of over 50 hours, this candle gently infuses any room, creating a delicately evocative and inspiring atmosphere that feels like inviting the warmth of spring to stay. The blend of jasmine and gardenia, dancing with the blossoming blush of peony, echoes the brightness of the season, making you smile every time you enter the room.
£45 for 230g
These candles represent so much more than being beautiful home fragrances – we see them as gateways to the joy and vitality of spring. They remind us that candles are not just for winter; they can be a vibrant part of our spring rituals – lifting our spirits and filling our homes with the promise of longer days and warmer weather. Whether you’re seeking a refreshing mountain breeze, a soothing siesta, a crisp forest scent, or the elegance of tropical flowers, these candles will bring the radiant joy of spring right into your heart and home. And isn’t that something we all need a bit more of right now…?
