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The Thread

Find stories to inspire you, ideas from people we admire and our expertise for a home well curated, a wardrobe well put together, a life well lived.

The nose behind the scent

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

What was the inspiration behind Amber?

The fragrance was centered 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.

Do you feel like the notes capture the season of fall and any particular moments?

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

What type of people do you think will be drawn to Amber?

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.

Talk us through the creative process of developing a new scent. How long does it take and what are some of the key stages in the process?

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.

How do you decide on the structure of the base, heart and top notes of a fragrance and how to categorize it within the olfactive families?

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 utilized to identify the fragrance family (woody, floral, etc.), which is based upon the ingredients incorporated in the formulation.

Why do you think choosing a fragrance is such a personal experience?

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.

Any tips on how to advise people on choosing a scent for them?

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.