Five of Suzy’s Faves for National Fragrance Week
As National Fragrance Week nears its end – culminating in National Fragrance Day festivities – I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary power of scent to transform our moods, evoke memories, and even boost our confidence. This annual celebration offers a perfect opportunity to showcase the remarkable creativity and craftsmanship within the fragrance industry – a world that sparks innovation, launches careers, and touches lives in profoundly personal ways.
The fragrance industry continues to be a beacon of artistic expression, scientific innovation and emotional connection. Whether you’re a perfumer crafting olfactory masterpieces, a bottle designer creating miniature works of art, or simply someone who finds joy in discovering new scents, National Fragrance Week celebrates this shared passion that unites us all.
To mark this special occasion, I’ve selected five exceptional fragrances that have recently captured my attention and imagination. Each one represents a different facet of perfumery’s boundless creativity, demonstrating why this industry remains so vibrant and vital. And believe me, I could have easily added fifty more to this list. With each new round of fragrant launches my heart lifts, because it really feels as though the scent of olfactory optimism is in the air…
Angela Flanders Shantung Dream
Weaving a tapestry of olfactory delight as intricate and luxurious as its namesake silk, Angela Flanders Shantung Dream captivated me from the first spritz. Neroli and petitgrain shimmer atop a lush floral heart, where gardenia and jasmine intertwine with sweet orange and fig. This sensual bouquet rests upon a warm embrace of sandalwood, tonka bean, and amber, kissed by a whisper of musky, warm skin-like ambrettolide. Like Mediterranean summers captured in a bottle, it evokes bare feet tiptoeing on sun-warmed terracotta and orange blossom-scented breezes. This fragrance transports me to sun-drenched coastal retreats (meanwhile: is perfect for sunny spring days), offering a glimpse of even brighter days to come.
From £85 for 30ml eau de parfum angelaflanders-perfumer.com
Sana Jardin Air of Aquarius
A celestially scented symphony, inspired by Pluto’s return to Aquarius, every spritz of this urges us to shake off the cobwebs, via uplifting lemon – known for its soul-cleansing properties – as aromatic rosemary and soothing lavender create a purifying bubble beckoning meditation. The heart vibrates with jasmine and lily of the valley, whilst musk and ambroxan provide a grounding presence. Inspiring transformation and creative rebellion, this is a lasting scent to boost self-confidence, constantly delighting and surprising in equal measure. It feels ethereal, yet is brilliantly long-lasting for a fresh scent, and invites us to embrace change and renewal. Carefully balanced, calmingly herbaceous yet simultaneously uplifting, it feels like therapy in a bottle.
Currently from £32 for 10ml eau de parfum thefragranceshop.co.uk
Thameen Centre Stage
This utterly dazzling fragrance by Bruno Jovanovic beckons me hither to the glamorous world of 1920s cabaret. TBH I didn’t need much encouragement, but once there, you’re greeted with sparkling lavender, cardamom, and petitgrain, reminiscent of a Champagne cork’s pop. The heart reveals a lush bouquet of powdery orris, orange blossom, and jasmine, evoking dancers shimmying feather boas beneathe shimmering lights. As it settles, amberwood, styrax, and animalic notes create a seductive finale, inviting you to embrace your inner star – and shine! Revelling in unbridled revelry and theatrical splendour, each note plays its part in an perfumed performance that lingers magnificently on the skin – a scent memory of an enchanting evening.
£250 for 100ml Cologne elixir harveynichols.com
Mabelle O’Rama Phoenix Flame
A highly concentrated blend of tinder-dry spices, glowing amber, and billowing incense, this is an emotionally evocative powerhouse of a perfume but never feels overwhelming. Instead, it wraps around you like a scented force shield, instilling a sense strength and unwavering resolve with each inhalation. I find this evolves beautifully on skin throughout the day, revealing great depth whilst providing much-needed confidence boosts when facing life’s daily challenges – from stressy work life to fraught family situations, it just feels that, wearing this, you can get through; like having an invisible guardian at your side, encouraging you to stand tall whilst keeping you safe. For those who prefer to try their fragrances in smaller doses first, Mabelle O’Rama offers an affordable smaller bottle, too.
From £35 for 7.5ml extrait de parfum mabelleorama.com
MCM Crush
MCM’s Crush, crafted by Frank Voelkl, continues the brand’s impressive fragrance legacy with yet another stunning olfactory creation. The house has consistently delivered exceptional scents, and these MCM flacons – especially in the mini size – are some of the most adorable bottles you could hope to own, with their distinctive backpack-shaped vessels and charming hardware details. For Crush it’s all about the blissed-out blossoming vibe – a stunning heart of soft-pink Rose de Mai harmonising with the playfully fruity apricot/pear combo in the top notes, then melding like the slow blush of rosy sunset to a tenderly warm skin-like, ambrette dry down. This vegan and cruelty-free creation embodies free-spirits embarking on journeys of adventure and friendship. I’m so excited about their next launch, too, having had a sneaky peek (and sniff)…
£55 for 30ml eau de parfum uk.mcmworldwide.com
So, as National Fragrance Week draws to a close approaches, I encourage you to explore these remarkable scents and perhaps discover your own new favourites. The fragrance industry continues to innovate and inspire, creating not just beautiful scents but opportunities for connection, self-expression, and personal transformation. Whether you’re a lifelong fragrance enthusiast or just beginning your scented journey, there’s never been a better time to celebrate the art, science and sheer joy of perfumery!
Written by Suzy Nightingale