If you’ve been lucky enough to stroll through Harrod’s salon de parfum in London, you’ve probably already met her. If not, allow us to introduce you to one of New York City’s most luxurious niche perfume houses, Strangelove. Founded by Elizabeth Gaynes, whose creative director is supermodel, Helena Christensen, this is created the for the perfume lover’s perfume lover.
The collection doesn’t hide behind synthetics, neon packaging and a popstar’s airbrushed smile. Instead, this family of fragrances stands on the firm foundation of pure oud, the brand’s DNA that can be found in all of their six creations, woven throughout each shimmering elixir.
While oud may seem like the trend fragrance note of the year found on the lips of every perfume and beauty influencer, that’s more of a PR push than the reality. The true story of oud is ancient and storied. The kind that falls between mythology and historical facts. Oud is found in almost every ancient spiritual text, being called; agarwood, ahalim, aloeswood, jinko, oud, aguru and more. The Bhagavad Gita references it as “wood of the gods”, while the Torah mentions it often and is spoken about in the Song of Songs. In the inner sanctums from the Mediterranean to the shores of Japan, oud was the holy scent of choice for temples and kings. Acting deeply on our neurological system, oud removes anxiety, creating a meditative state and it is also widely regarded as an aphrodisiac, increasing libido and desire. Perhaps that is where the myths involving Adam and Eve come in, as they have many storylines intertwined with oud. Much like true love, the more you experience true oud the more you want to.
But, of course, perfume is about more than one singular note. A true perfume is as carefully composed as an orchestra and here Strangelove’s perfumer, Christophe Laudamiel continues the themes of pure, ultra rare and rich ingredients for the collection, such as; orris butter, pure ambergris, and red champaca oils.
LOSTINFLOWERS
Inspired by two fated lovers whose destiny’s collide in the most magical of gardens. “You found me lost in flowers.” Pure poetry. The fine French glass bottle and gold gilded cap hold a heady abundance of flowers within. Powerful and seductive it immediately draws compliments and attention. If you can never have enough flowers tuberose, violets, orange flower and jasmine nectar will make your heart sing. One of the luxuriant and unique notes besides the natural Indian oud, is red champaca, known as the “joy oil” for the aura of happiness it bestows on the wearer. Cardamom pod offers its spicy green scent, reminiscent of the bright firm stems that hold all of the blossoms together. Sparks of exotic saffron. Oak moss and musk create a warm, earthy base for the flowers to play in. With abundant sillage, long lasting wear and a truly singular experience, lostinflowers is a floral perfume lover’s dream come true. When love feels like an endless summer in bloom lostinflowers is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.
MELTMYHEART
Romantic, dreamy, complex. Scented pages. Journals filled with feelings trying to take shape. Love letters. And velvet, there’s velvet, too. Inspired by bond, kindred spirits and devoted lovers, meltmyheart is deep in buttery orris root that feels rich and nostalgic. An oriental perfume that contains pure orris butter, a delicacy in perfumery, blended unexpectedly with notes of chocolate. Not the syrupy chocolate, but instead a dried cocoa powder. Warm and creamy, a buttery powder that slowly melts into the skin while oud and sandalwood keep it there. Roses dipped in vanilla sweeten the dry down. Classic oriental aficionados will revel in its depths and enjoy how it tiptoes towards gourmand.
FALLINTOSTARS
Fall in love, fallintostars. Inspired by lovers who transcend time and space, journeying into a parallel universe where passion and flames unite souls. There is just something about this perfume that calls out to all the book-tok girls out there. The women who know that the laws of the physical world don’t exist when love enters the room; big hearts and a bigger imagination. fallintostars feels like fantasy. A boozy oud that conjures up a feeling of a dark library, a deep leather sofa, candles and a storm outside. Scotland. Maybe somewhere in Scotland, with the latest edition of your favorite romance novel from your favorite writer fresh off the press and glass of cognac. Slipping into an indulgent imagination as quickly as the strap of your silk camisole slips off your shoulder. A slight tug of a smile pulls at the corner of your mouth as your finger slides across the edges of the paper turning the page, but then, a knock at the door!
Playfulness aside, this is a serious perfume with truly special ingredients that you won’t be finding elsewhere, like jonquil nectar and apple leaves. Pure Indian oud, amber from vanilla bourbon and rosewood. Pink peppercorns and something mineralic. Perhaps an extract from a fallen star?
Happy Valentine’s Day!
TO EXPLORE THE FULL COLLECTION VISIT: strangelove
