The Best Fragrance Brands To Love This International Fragrance Day

NEW YORK – MARCH 24: Actress Marilyn Monroe poses for a candid portrait with a bottle of Chanel … [+] No. 5 perfume on March 24, 1955 at the Ambassador Hotel in New York City, New York. (Photo by Ed Feingersh/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

getty

Fragrance is as signature to a person as their fingerprint, and it’s no secret that the strongest memories we have as humans are tied to scent. Which is why celebrating International Fragrance Day by highlighting some incredible fragrance brands is an exciting way to pay homage to the value of scent in our lives. After all, the nose knows.

THE ART OF SEDUCTION

Kilian’s latest fragrance, Can’t Stop Loving You, retails for $275

Kilian Paris

Parisian Kilian Hennessy broke away from his 8th generation status in his family’s cognac business (yes, that one) and instead tapped into his olfactory talent and love of night life and music to launch Kilian Paris almost 15 years ago. He brings his brand to life through a mixture of Parisian je ne sais quoi, fantasy nocturnal adventures, cocktail recipes inspired by his scents, and even Spotify playlists all designed to share his vision of seduction. Although, it’s hardly all show and no tell when it comes to Kilian fragrances. Considered to be amongst the most respected independent scent houses, Kilian perfumes are unique, mysterious, and truly one-of-a-kind. They range from powdery and soft to dark and smoky and all are genderless.

Still unconvinced of the brand’s commitment to seduction? Then consider its fragrance names such as Love, Don’t Be Shy, Straight to Heaven, Smoke for the Soul, and the latest launch, Can’t Stop Loving You. There is even a grouping of scents under the umbrella called “Narcotics,” which are the scents destined to drive the people around you mad with intrigue.

THE ‘IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW’

Rose & Cuir by Nose Jean-Claude Ellena and released by Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle retails … [+] for $275.

Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle

Another independent house, perfumer Frédéric Malle presents fragrances which honor the art and talent behind perfumery. Rather than create his own scents, Malle collaborates with and empowers the greatest noses of the industry to use their talent and creativity to create the most exciting scents of their careers. Some have even come to stand alone as icons.

Malle is driven by refinement and elegance as taught to him while growing up in Paris in a family that honored rarity and excellence. His grandfather was the founder of Parfums Christian Dior and his mother then became the perfume house’s Artistic Director, and both instilled in him the value that perfume—in and of itself—can be a true object of luxury. His brand, Editions de Parfums, is Malle’s platform in defense of the idea that each Nose is a true artist and should be given the freedom to create their art, without considering mass appeal or marketing objectives, which is why both the Noses and the industry consider him a protector of artistry of the perfumery.

Indeed, this is the house for the ‘in the know’ as Malle’s fragrances are for a true perfume aficionado. Although, if looking for an introduction to house’s best consider Carnal Flower (by Dominique Ropion), Musc Ravageur (by Maurice Rousel), and Rose & Cuir (by Jean Claude Elena).

THE ULTIMATE

The latest from Tom Ford Fragrances is Cherry Smoke which retails for $250

Tom Ford Fragrances

There is nothing that Tom Ford does which isn’t game-changing. When he joined Gucci it was a company on the brink of insolvency with little cultural relevance which he turned into a $10 billion brand. When Ford launched his eponymous line, it became an instant sensation. When he decided to direct a film, A Single Man, it won and was nominated for multiple major awards, including a Golden Lion nomination at the Venice Film Festival, and a Best Actor BAFTA win and Best Actor Academy Award nomination for the film’s leading man, Colin Firth. That’s all to say: Mr. Tom Ford does not mess about. The same goes for his fragrances.

Tom Ford fragrances have come to represent all that is exclusive, creative, and precise about Tom Ford’s point of view, but in perfume form and as with everything Ford creates, his fragrances are a combination of sensuality and rarity. The ingredients Ford chooses are typically difficult to obtain, such as Osmanthus (one of the major ingredients in the new Cherry Smoke) or Black Orchid, which uses the essence of the rare flower after which the scent is named. Time after time, the fragrances Ford releases become instant hits and coveted classics. The result is a fragrance line which can aptly be categorized as The Ultimate.

THE EARTHY YET OTHERWORLDLY

Flamingo Estate’s Clarity pulse point oil retails for $34

Flamingo Estate

Flamingo Estate’s founder, Richard Christiansen, has been diligently tending to his 7-acre Los Angeles home set amidst the Los Angeles foothills creating the gardens that are the lifeline of Flamingo Estate. Christiansen, a the founder of respected creative agency, Chandelier Creative, began the process of launching his apothecary style products during the 2020 lockdown. He named the brand after the home in which he lives and since he began this lockdown project, Flamingo Estate has grown to sell over 150 products which include soap, olive oil, candles, and honey via his own property and a collective of farmers, horticulturists and herbalists.

The recent launch of the Douglas Fir and Vetiver Fragrance Oil, the second fragrance release for Flamingo Estate, is a warm and earthy blend which was created to bring clarity to the wearer’s day. It’s meant to evoke the feeling of being in a forest after a light rain, and as such smells like a mixture of fresh evergreens and warm grass. It’s a recipe brought about by the essences of Douglas Fir and Vetiver to help with grounding, which are combined with Angelica Root and Basil to clear brain fog, sharpen the mind, and calm thoughts. It’s hardly an overpowering scent, it’s one which is subtle and rich, and there is definitely a feeling it is more of an experience for the wearer rather than the people around them.

THE ESCAPE ARTIST

The Aman brand of hotels fine fragrance collection transports the wearer to its one-of-a-kind … [+] properties. SEI channels the Amangani resort in Utah and retails for approximately $295.

Aman Fine Fragrances

Playing off its reputation as an exclusive escape into sensory delights, the Aman group of hotels scent range called The Aman Fine Fragrance Collection are inspired by several of their key destinations. The collection includes scents inspired by the one-of-a-kind properties for which this hotel brand is known such as The Aman Tokyo, Amanpuri, Amanjiwo, and the Aman New York. A unisex line, The Aman Fine Fragrances want to capture the essence of the properties they represent to transport the wearer into their unique world.

In its latest offering called SEI, this fragrance is inspired by Utah’s Colorado Plateau which is home to The Aman’s Amangiri property. In capturing the essence of this location, SEI is a scent which is both earthy and woody and brings to life burning cedar mixed with notes of pine needle, juniper, lavender and ciste labdanum. The Aman trusted master perfumer Jacques Chabert to the bring this property to life via scent; a man who is known for his 50 years of fragrance experience and the creation of modern classics.