I love scent as most people do. Discovering a fragrance is
like going on a journey, there is always something new to stimulate the senses
and excite you.
With so many fragrances out there it can be hard to discover
the one or ones that work for you. I like to hunt out original scents that are
not mass market.
 |
| The destination for fragrance and candles at Selfridges |
Selfridges (Oxford Street, London) recently opened a
destination for fragrance and candles which has an installation going through
it that exhibits key notes such as woody, spice and oriental so you can
pinpoint what you like and do not like in a scent be it for your body or home.
The space is reminiscent of an old apothecary. You can spend
hours in this playground testing goodies from great niche brands including
exclusive labels such as Spike Odyssey from the fragrance Kitchen, a leathery
scent charged with woody notes and “JUSBOX”. Its collection of scents is
inspired by old records and music. Another find was the British brand Thameen.
Its line is based on Eastern, oriental fragrance oils and has become one of the bestselling fragrance brands at
Selfridges.
One of my favourites is Ormonde Jayne, also sold here. Not
often do you smell a scent which you like that stays true when you wear it. As
soon as I took my first whiff of Vanille d'Iris (£110), I was hooked.
When I found out that Linda Jayne, founder and creator of
Ormonde Jayne London had created a bespoke perfume for Selfridges I was
intrigued.
What would a fragrance that had to have the characteristics
of the Ormonde Jayne house, be gender free, have a global appeal and also be of
the moment actually smell like? I have to admit I was sceptical.
Selfridges’ One Parfum (£235) won me over immediately. This
luxurious scent opens with cardamom, orange absolute and bergamot accords. At
its core is rose, freesia and jasmine absolute underpinned with ambers and
wood. It is lovely on the skin and oozes class. I have been stopped a few times
by people asking me for the
name of the fragrance that I am wearing.
 |
| Fornasetti Profumi Gold Burlesque |
I was delighted to discover Fornasetti Profumi there. As any discerning candle lover knows its candles are hard to beat. Gorgeously
scented they come in stunning ceramic vessels with a lid. Once you have
finished with the candle (they usually last for 50-60 hours) you can buy a
refill or use them around your home to store things.
The new decorative element to the existing “Burlesque”
collection is a hit with me. “Golden Burlesque” (£125), depicts two opposing
sides of the 19th century soprano Lina Cavalieri highlighted in
gold. The Italian painter, engraver and sculptor Fornasetti is said to have
been obsessed with her. I really love the Otto fragrance, lavender laced with
woody notes and incense in my home. It is really lovely and so therapeutic.
Mistero, the latest addition to the range, is a melange of
warm wood and spicy aromatic notes. Ideal for the winter months.
Cire Trudon, another amazing candle collection is here.
Penhaligons and other interesting brands such as Frederic Malle are also worth
taking your time to explore.
This area is like a sweetshop for adults without the
calories.
By Daralyn Danns
