Inspired by everything from high jewellery to the ballet and with aromas ranging from woody and earthy to floral, these five new fragrances are a must-smell.
1. Misia
The newly launched Chanel fragrance is named for the Polish pianist and long-time friend of Coco Chanel, Misia Sert. Muse to many artists of the time, Sert was also a silent partner in the Ballets Russes, which frequently took to the stage at the Opéra Garnier (Palais Garnier) in Paris. These performances would attract Paris’s elite for an evening of music and dance, and Olivier Polge, the nose behind the Misia fragrance, took this scene at the Garnier and from it created a powdery scent reminiscent of the expensive make-up worn by the women attending these performances. The fragrance has top notes of violet and also includes notes of Turkish rose, iris and orris root.
2. Dolce Floral Drops
More than a year after the launch of Dolce & Gabbana’s Dolce Eau de Parfum, the brand has followed up with its newest scent, Dolce Floral Drops Eau de Toilette. Featuring top notes of neroli leaves and papaya flower, Dolce Floral Drops maintains similarities with its predecessor, including the feminine and floral-inspired bottle. The same thick glass, curved lines, solid bottom and sculpted flower cap remain, while the new bottle has a green, dew-like frost coating the glass. Dolce Floral Drops also features heart notes of white flowers, including white amaryllis, white daffodil and white water lily. There are, however, a few distinct differences between the two fragrances. The overall scent of Floral Drops is far more fresh and airy while its subtle base notes consist of added sandalwood.
3. Le Gemme
Inspired by high jewellery, Bvlgari has unveiled a new perfume collection, Le Gemme, combining the concepts of precious stones and fragrances. The six scents are in bottles shaped like ancient Roman amphoras, fitted with different-coloured tops. Each colour represents a separate, highly prized gemstone, from amethyst and moonstone to turquoise and tourmaline, and looks like it has been set into the bottle itself – like a piece of jewellery. The fragrances are inspired by the historic symbolism of each gemstone and named accordingly: Amarena, Ashlemah, Calaluna, Lilaia, Maravilla and Noorah. Each scent differs in top, heart and base notes, ranging from oak to rose, tobacco to amber and lavender to vanilla.
4. B. Balenciaga
The new Balenciaga fragrance, B. Balenciaga, is the first perfume designed by the company’s creative director Alexander Wang. The woody scent is set in a six-sided frosted glass bottle, with a crackle texture – a detail inspired by the marble tiling of Balenciaga’s original 10 Avenue George V Paris salon. The bottle is topped with an arched cap that resembles the arches found in the brand’s fashion and accessories. The fragrance’s top notes are composed of lily of the valley bell, violet green leaves accord and green edamame accord, while the subtle base notes include ambrette seeds and cashmeran wood.
5. Dahn Al Oudh Arzan
Priding itself on using only real, high-quality oud, Ajmal Perfume recently released its newest oud-based fragrance, Dahn Al Oudh Arzan. Set in a gold bottle for a touch of glamour, the unisex perfume features Indian and Cambodian oud and has an earthy, bittersweet smell. Ajmal was founded more than 64 years ago by the late Haji Ajmal Ali in India. Today, the family-owned Dubai-based company boasts more than 300 fragrances in its portfolio, has 156 retail outlets across the GCC and exports to more than 30 countries.