8 FEEL-GOOD FRAGRANCES FOR SPRING/SUMMER

Combining art and fragrance, new brand D’OTTO is all about creating extraordinary and emotional experiences through perfume. The five fragrances come in unique ornamental bottles that could be mistaken for pieces of art and are all refillable in store. Perfect for balmy evenings, 5+3 is a complex blend of tuberose, patchouli and magnolia alongside musk, vanilla and honey to give a creamy, smoky base. But if you’re a fan of fresh, green scents, 1+7 combines zingy grapefruit, lemon and bergamot with sage and vetiver that smells equally lovely on both men and women.

Debuting its first beauty collection, “PAPERWORK” by Off-White™ is one of the last projects by the late Virgil Abloh so it was met with much anticipation. From its industrial-inspired bottle to the genderless scents that make up the four ‘solutions’, the collection reflects Virgil’s innovative design ethos. So, how do they smell? Each one has its own identity – No 1. gives classy earthy vibes thanks to vetiver, bergamot and sandalwood; No. 4 blends fig, lavender, tobacco and leather for a sexy mash-up. But No. 2 feels the most traditionally ‘summer’, with its fresh citrus notes of tangerine and lemon and ginger, jasmine and a smoky base of amber.

If ‘green’ scents are your thing, you can’t get any greener than this creation from perfumer Quentin Bisch, whose inspiration for Iris de Gris was the aroma of freshly shelled peas. Alongside pea, you’ll find fresh mint, elegant iris and ambroxan – a molecule that has a sweet and musky, almost carnal ‘come-hither’ effect that lingers on the skin – for a truly unique blend.

If you lean towards sweet, fruity fragrances for summer, Bitter Peach is going to tick a lot of boxes. On first sniff, you get a whack of luscious (you guessed it) peach that’s complemented with Sicilian blood orange, rum and patchouli. Creamy vanilla and tonka bean join for a voluptuous mix of boozy, fruity goodness.

To sum up Vanille Antique in one word? Sexy. The latest creation from Ben Gorham’s cult brand Byredo sits alongside four others in a series of Extraits de Parfums that are scented specifically for night-time exploits. The overriding scent of sweet vanilla bean is cut with a mix of earthy cashmere wood and musk for a big, bold scent that’s the perfect partner for balmy evenings.

Maison Margiela is an expert in bottling up memories, and this one perfectly encapsulates the smell of fresh flowers, wet grass and sunrays through the clouds after rainfall. After all, this is British Summertime we’re talking about. Blending vibrant rose, bergamot and pink pepper with fresh, earthy pine and moss, it is a modern take on the more traditional rose.