Summer Scents
this article appeared in Grove magazine, August 2005
There are few things more evocative than the scent of a summer night, particularly those filled with the unfamiliar perfume of foreign climes. And to recreate, or complement those balmy evenings, there are a host of delicious summer perfumes to spritz through the summer with. And remember that summer scents don’t contain alcohol and so don’t last as long as your usual perfume, so you need to respray frequently.
My all-time favourite for its powerful associations is Diptyque’s Olèneeau de toilette (£48 for 100 ml; available from the Diptyque boutique, 195 Westbourne Grove, W11; tel: 020 7792 0096), a heady blend of sweet wisteria and narcissus that is pure white flower, an uncannily accurate scent that I can’t do without.
Australian perfumer Renne Griffith fell in love with the scents of Bali while on holiday and her delectable range, Renee includes a delicious Tuberose (£26.50) which is like wearing the flowers themselves. Packaged in simple white boxes sashed with a black ribbon, the range also includes Mediterranean Lily (£26.50), Amber (£26.50) and Snowpeach (£26.50). If you want to try all the frangrances in the range, them go for the Mini Fragrance Wardrobe (£36) which gives you all five perfumes to sample, a real treat. Available exclusively at that internet treasure trove, www.myvanitycase.com
Head to Les Senteurs to pick up the exotic Bahiana (£76; 7730 2322) in a bottle the colours of birds of paradise – worthy of pride of place on any mantelpiece. Based on Brazilian oranges, yellow mandarin and coconut, Bahiana is a tropical scent evoking beach-side cocktails and smells every bit as exotic as the bottle looks.
No stylish summer would be complete without a Diane von Furstenberg dress and now, you can complete the look with a dab of her new perfume. D (£37 for 50ml; DvF, Ledbury Road, W11; 020 7221 1120) is as sophisticated as you would expect with a mix of jasmine, patchouli and sandalwood, perfect for smart twilight drinks (preferably on a yacht cruising the Med but a Grove garden will do).
Don’t let your man be left out, after all, he will need a fresh fragrance for summer too. Jayne Ormonde’s Isfahan (£54; 020 77499 1100) is an original concoction, reminiscent of languorous eastern delights with its sultry mix of lime oil, pink pepper, bergamot and cedar, sexy and fresh all at the same time.
The designers have also come up with a raft of lovely summer scents packaged in delectable bottles. Probably the two that win out for best packaging are Jean Paul Gaultier Eau d’Ete (£33; 020 7730 1234) with its curvy bottle depicting tropical fish and its daring, spicy aroma; while Stella McCartney Sheer Stella (£29.50; 01444 255700) looks – and smells – beautifully girly and very feminine and there is a limited edition available just through the summer. Marc Jacobs Blush (£49) is warm and romantic, with notes of jasmine, honeysuckle and soft musks while you can’t beat YSL Opium Fleur de Shanghai (£34; 01444 255700) for sheer sex appeal and high glamour. Michael Kors Island is a new exotic and fruity scent almost good enough to eat with its aroma of Chinese kiwi and ginger lily (£40 for 50ml; 020 77301234).
But scents don’t stop with perfume. To envelop the skin in fresh summery fragrance, sink into a bath run with lashings of Laura Mercier Clementine Honey bath (£30; available at SpaceNK, 127-131 Westbourne Grove, W11; tel: 020 7727 8063), which is luxurious and softening while the fresh notes of clementine clear the head.
And bring a touch of summer indoors with Diptyque’s new scented candle, Pois de Senteur (£29.50) which will fill your home with the delightful fragrance of sweetpeas.
So whether you are in the Grove or adventuring in more exotic outposts this summer, there is a scent that can suit every mood and memory you desire.
© Kamin Mohammadi, 2005
