Eight of the best travel-inspired perfumes
Drawing inspiration from exotic cities and far-flung places, the world’s top noses have bottled the best of travel.
Thibaud Crivelli’s life is documented in scent. It’s a personal accord, with notes drawn from his childhood in France and Asia and journeys exploring the world’s most exotic and wild locations. The Maison Crivelli founder’s creations are inspired by powerful moments in time. “Smelling scorched sandalwood on the slope on an erupting volcano, walking on the seaside and smelling roses which are blown away by the sea winds, sipping a hibiscus tea in the heart of a gemstone market, tasting passion fruit in a remote oud forest...” he says. “The whole collection is the result of a meticulous selection of the most memorable moments I have lived.”
Perhaps as a reaction to the global pause on travel, geography has never been more heavily referenced in fragrances.
This month, Le Labo unveiled its 16th City Exclusive scent, Myrrhe 55. The brand’s olfactory nod to Shanghai and the other 15 city-inspired scents are only available in Australia in the month of September, so if you’re pining for a night of bar-hopping in Miami or want to recall Japan’s fragrant, woody forests, don’t wait.
Left: With notes of clove, passionflower and jasmine, one whiff of this vibrant and spicy floral will carry you into the exotic jungles of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
D.S. & Durga Jazmin Yucatan Eau de Parfum, 50ml, $281. mecca.com.au
Right: Crivelli captures the myriad scents encountered while hiking Scandinavia’s remote fjords in this smoky lily, oakmoss and amber fragrance.
Maison Crivelli Lys Solaberg Eau de Parfum, 100ml, $317. mecca.com.au
Left: If the islands of the South Pacific had a signature fragrance, this would be it. Tropical beach dreams are realised with notes of salt spray, frangipani and fresh coconut.
The 7 Virtues Coconut Sun Eau de Parfum, $139. sephora.com.au
Right: A distillation of zesty lime and basil is warmed by notes of oud and musk to paint an aromatic picture of Morocco’s majestic Atlas Mountains at dawn.
Lumira Soileil Du Maroc Eau de Parfum, 50ml, $135. atelierlumira.com
Left: The primary note of Le Labo’s 16th City Exclusive fragrance is revered in Chinese medicine for its blood-moving properties. With jasmine, patchouli and ambergris, it’s Shanghai, bottled. Available only until September 30 unless you’re heading straight to the source: the bustling city on the Bund.
Le Labo Myrrhe 55 (Shanghai), 100ml, $775. lelabofragrances.com.au
Right: The bustling markets of Madurai in India are captured in this airy floral perfume, which features notes of sandalwood, jasmine sambac, citrus and turmeric.
Memo Paris Madurai Eau de Parfum, 75ml, $460. libertineparfumerie.com.au
Left: Jan Vilhelm Ahlgren has distilled the contrasting landscapes of South Africa and “the raw power of nature” into a sensual, complex combination starring mango, black pepper and vanilla.
Vilhelm Parfumerie Mango Skin Eau de Parfum, $257. mecca.com.au
Right: An ode to the Creed family’s sailing adventures around the Mediterranean, this salty, citrus scent is European summer in a bottle.
Creed Erolfa, 100ml, $439. creedperfume.com.au