Our perfumer gives us an exclusive insight into our new limited-edition fragrance and what it takes to develop a scent.

The fragrance was centred around the idea of combining red amber and ginger. It highlights the exquisite, rich and powerful amber notes found in a perfumer’s palette, complemented by the freshness of ginger root oil. It plays with the duality of raw ingredients, bringing sophistication and a hint of mystery to the fragrance.

Yes, the deep, warm and earthy qualities of Amber are evocative of autumnal foliage. I associate autumn with falling leaves and a change in nature’s colour palette from lush green to radiant hues of golden yellow, fiery red and copper. Trees are bejewelled with its warm, glowing tones.

Those who are drawn to Amber will most likely have a liking for deep, woody, resinous and slightly sweet, spicy notes. It’s a highly versatile scent designed to provide a sense of comfort and sensuality in any home or space.

Understanding the brief is key. First, we start building an accord that fits the concept. The accord then needs to be filled out with appropriate top notes and base notes to create a balanced and perfectly rounded fragrance. In most cases, you want a nicely balanced fragrance with no one particular note sticking out. If it’s not quite there, we repeat the whole process adjusting levels of materials as we go. Only when we are 100% happy with the creation will we present it to the world! The whole process can take one week or more at times, if it’s a particularly tricky brief.

Every fragrance needs top, middle and base notes, with the aim to end up with a fragrance that’s nicely balanced with all of them included. It really depends on the fragrance type; some need more top notes to bring them to life, others have more of the richer, long-lasting base notes. Each creation is unique and requires individual consideration. The fragrance wheel is utilised to identify the fragrance family (woody, floral, etc.), which is based upon the ingredients incorporated in the formulation.

Fragrance can be very powerful and evoke unique memories which will resonate with the individual. Factors such as cultural background, upbringing, personal experiences, and even genetic predispositions, can influence our scent preferences. People often seek fragrances that align with their desired mood, setting the tone for an event, enhancing one’s confidence, or even conveying a message to others. Ultimately, the personal nature of choosing a fragrance arises from the unique connection between scent and individual perception.

It will speak to you. It needs to make you think, “Wow! I love that”. There will be plenty that you might like, but not enough to use. Don’t be influenced by others and go with your instincts.