MORE THAN A NICE SCENT!
Newsletter No.22
1104.24
Welcome Video:
Welcome to the 22nd Edition of More Than A Nice Scent
Thanks for visiting!
In this issue, we'll explore the emotional essence of the Fougère fragrance family.
What makes fougère so special? How does it make us feel? How can we use it in new ways?
Let's discover these secrets together!
With kind Regards,
Scott
Listen here for a quick AI audio preview of this editions rough draft:
The latest sneak peek draft:
The Emotional Allure of Fougère
Imagine a scent that captures the crispness of leaves, warmth of sunlight, earthiness of a forest, and the saltiness of sea breeze. A scent designed to evoke a wide spectrum of feelings. This is the magic of the Fougère fragrance family.
From the iconic Fougère Royale to modern interpretations like Dior Sauvage, Fougères have evolved, captivating fragrance fans for more than a century, reflecting our changing tastes and desires.
At their core, the Fougère family remains a timeless expression of nature, art, and emotion. But what is the secret behind their timeless appeal?
In 1882, Houbigant created Fougère Royale, the first of its kind, revolutionizing perfumery. It introduced an abstract and non-literal approach to perfumery because it did not try to mimic the scent of a flower or natural smell. Although "Fougère" means "fern" in French, this iconic perfume does not smell like ferns. Instead, it embodies the adventurous spirit, inviting wearers to explore the unseen and the unknown.
Fougère fragrances hold deep emotional meaning for me. Their clean, nature-inspired scents trigger memories of my past adventures and inspire dreams of future journeys in the great outdoors. They evoke a sense of confidence, freedom, and possibilities. When I create them, I like to imagine exploring new forest trails and discovering beautiful places. Wearing them makes me feel ready for anything.
Like walking through a lush forest on a spring day, Fougère Royale's signature accord connects us to nature with:
Bergamot: Bright and zesty, it evokes joy, relaxation, and confidence.
Lavender: Clean and herbaceous, its calming sweetness brings peace and rejuvenation.
Geranium: Its green, rosy fragrance with a hint of mint adds complexity and evokes serenity.
Oakmoss: Earthy and rich, it grounds us, offering comfort and a sense of being embraced by nature.
And Fougère Royale's secret ingredient:
Coumarin: A synthetic ingredient found in Tonka Beans, adds warmth and comfort with its hay-like aroma, sweet almonds, and vanilla.
This iconic Fougère accord was just the beginning because we can twist it to satisfy a wide range of peoples' tastes.
Iconic Fougère Fragrances
As times changed, so did Fougères. By adding new elements like leather, spices, fruits, and watery notes, Fougère fragrances have evolved with new modern twists that tell the story of our times.
Pino Silvestre: The Scent of Serenity
In 1955, Pino Silvestre was launched after the terrible World War II era. It added invigorating pine needles, juniper berries, and fir balsam to the classic Fougère structure, giving it a crisp, forest-inspired twist. Like the bottled essence of nature, this clean forest scent evokes a sense of renewal, serenity, and vitality.
Drakkar Noir: The Essence of Power
When Guy Laroche released Drakkar Noir in 1982, the days of subtle colognes were over. This iconic fragrance redefined Fougères. Fiery spices, icy peppermint, and mysterious absinthe clashed with classic lavender and oakmoss. This was the essence of confidence, power, and mystery, reflecting a time when pushing limits was encouraged and celebrated. It evokes feelings of strength, passion, and charisma.
Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male: Sensual Masculinity
In 1995, Le Male put a daring, sexy spin on the Fougère accord with its bold blend of lavender, mint, and vanilla, softened by orange blossom and cinnamon sweetness. The seductive nature of this scent expressed confidence, desire, and provocation, which was a perfect match for the fluid masculinities that emerged in the 1990s. Le Male turned heads and stood out from the rest.
Acqua di Giò: Simplicity and Harmony
Blending invigorating marine notes, zesty citrus fruits, aromatic herbs, and ambery-driftwood notes, Giorgio Armani's Acqua di Giò Pour Homme revolutionized Fougère fragrances in 1996 with its aquatic twist on the classic Fougère accord. Like a counteraction to life's complexities, its lack of flashy excess reflected the time's shift to minimalism and simplicity by evoking a sense of freedom, harmony, and balance.
Dior Sauvage: Redefining Masculinity
In 2015, a time marked by evolving definitions of masculinity, Dior Sauvage reimagined the Fougère by showcasing the mineral-like scent of Ambroxan to redefine masculinity. Together with notes of bergamot, pepper, patchouli, and vetiver, the bold use of Ambroxan infuses the classic Fougère accord with limitless confidence, empowerment, and introspection.
Iconic Fougère fragrances like Pino Silvestre, Drakkar Noir, Le Male, Acqua di Giò, and Dior Sauvage inspire me as a perfumer. Each fragrance has taught me how to take the classic Fougère accord and make it feel new and exciting. They inspire me to push boundaries, experiment with unexpected combinations, and create scents that capture the emotional essence of the times. The possibilities for Fougère are endless.
As the world changes, so do Fougère perfumes, but they always keep their special spark. They remind us how scents can connect with our hearts, helping us explore our feelings and stories.
The Future of Fougère: Genderless Expressions
BIG CLIFFHANGER:
The Fougère accord's versatility is powerful. Imagine taking this timeless base and shaking it up with bold, unexpected twists. In the final book, I will share three ways to evolve this classic to capture the modern desire for inclusivity and self-expression.
To be continued!
Q&A
Dear Scott,
I'm a big fan of Hermès H24. Can you tell me what my choice of fragrance says about me and my personality?
Dear Tim,
Thanks for the challenging question!
Honestly, I can't describe someone's personality based on a single perfume - without any other clues . But I can try to make an educated guess.
Maybe you appreciate sophistication, uniqueness, and balance - all qualities I associate with Hermès H24.
The unique woody character of H24, combined with the bright, herbal clary sage, the animalic narcissus, and the earthy, mossy oakmoss, could suggest that you're into quiet luxury - you have a distinctive but subtly sophisticated style.
Keep in mind that, like a good perfume, we're all multifaceted. We have multiple facets/archetypes that make us who we are. Maybe you have traits of the following archetypes:
The Ruler (who seeks control and appreciates refinement) might be drawn to H24's sophistication and elegance.
The Creator (who values self-expression) could enjoy H24's unique accords.
The Sage (who seeks wisdom and balance) might like H24 for its blend of modern and classic, showing a love for innovation while respecting tradition.
Overall, your question brings up an important point that I want to highlight in my book: our fragrance choices can reveal a lot about our personalities, even if we're not consciously aware of it.
So, as you explore different fragrances, remember that each scent you enjoy can highlight various aspects of your personality, just like H24 has done for you.
Have a question? Ask below!
In the next edition:
Scent With Meaning
What's the soul of scent? We'll crack the olfactory code, find the hidden heart, and unlock the secrets that turn fragrance into feeling.
See you again in two weeks!
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Comment below!
Love fougères Scott. Thank you.
I have made a fougère fragrance with tagetes featuring in it and I love it.
One buyer of it said she wore it when giving business talks amongst lots of men and felt this fragrance boosted her confidence
Thank you for sharing how your fougère with tagetes gives your client confidence! By adding floral and fruity notes we can make fougères more gender-less. Actually, that was the vision behind Lancôme Idôle. There are many ways to make fougères more inclusive. Keep up your creative innovation!