Fragrances for festivals – scents that stand out in a crowd!
With Glastonbury music festival about to kick off, and all manner of other festivals about to shimmy into the summer season, we are celebrating scents that lend themselves to the sounds you’ll be listening to…
But first: have you ever considered how perfectly linked music and perfume really are?
Well, we refer to a fragrance being ‘composed’, with fragrant ‘notes’ and ‘accords’, all of which were arranged on a perfumer’s ‘organ’. The scent is measured for how it ‘performs’, by how well those notes ‘harmonise’, and of course many fragrances (classic and modern) have melodious inspirations. But at The Perfume Society, we feel festival season in the U.K. is THE perfect time to harmonise your own experiences of hearing the music, and wearing a perfume that perfectly matches the mood (and can even enhance the vibe).
So, why are music and fragrance so inextricably linked, beyond the words we use to describe them? It might partly be down to the physical way we smell, how an odour molecule makes its way into our olfactory receptors. Yet this is something on which, astonishingly, scientists are yet to agree. The majority opinion seems to be that odour molecules have distinct shapes, and that some of these fit easily into corresponding olfactory receptacles (like a child’s shape-matching puzzle).
But there is another, still-controversial theory: that scent molecules, like sounds, vibrate. This theory has been put forward by biophysicist and scent author Luca Turin, and certainly finds favour with many. In an article she wrote for The Telegraph, Christine Nagel, resident perfumer for Hermès, explained it thus, namely that ‘…odour depends on the ways the molecule can vibrate, determined by the exact arrangement of atoms and bonds inside the molecule. Differently structured molecules will “sound” different the way different musical instruments do, making them smell different from each other.’
For Francis Kurkdjian, the nose behind Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Male and several Elie Saab bestsellers, in-house perfumer at Dior, as well as his own celebrated Maison Francis Kurkdjian line of fine fragrances, ‘…music and perfume are very much related because they use a common medium – the air. You hear music when the vibration of the sound in the air hits your ears, the same way that perfume needs the movement of air to come to your nose.’
Fragrance YouTube broadcaster Dariush (aka Persolaise) says that listening to music and wearing a fragrance that somehow evokes it is a match made in heaven, saying that ‘In our gorgeous-smelling community of scenthusiasts, we know all about living through our senses,’ and explaining: ‘a favourite pursuit of mine, every now and then, is to choose one of my favourite albums, fire up my sound system and select a perfume whose notes will somehow enhance the musical notes emerging from the speakers.’
Dariush continues, ‘Sometimes I wear it on myself. Sometimes I fill the room with it. Sometimes I burn it in candle form. That’s not terribly important. The point is to give some thought to the sounds and consider what form they’d take if they were turned into a perfume.’ Reflecting on this act of listening while wearing, he concludes that ‘Making the effort ACTIVELY to listen to a whole piece of music is just as rich and memorable an experience as plunging into the complexity of a perfume. But what’s even more powerful is when you combine the two.’
We couldn’t agree more, and here’s our roundup of some fragrances we recommend wearing to festivals this summer (or simply enjoying while boogying in your back garden, if festivals aren’t really your thing!)
Noyz x Damon Baker Monochrome
Crafted with photographic prodigy Damon Baker – this is a festival-worthy scent that plays with light and shadow. Opening with the sparkle of citrus and an energising hit of earthy coffee, it’s an instant mood-lifter for sun-drenched afternoons. Meanwhile, the smooth blend of patchouli and addictive dry down keeps things intriguing as the night truly comes alive.
Currently £105 for 50ml eau de parfum harrods.com
Marc Jacobs Perfect Elixir
With a playful burst of purple rhubarb and sunny orange blossom, this scent is a festival in a bottle. Warm amber woods and creamy vanilla bean wrap you in a joyful hug, perfectly matching the colourful, self-expressive spirit of a British summer festival, this is a true ode to individuality and celebration.
£72 for 30ml eau de parfum theperfumeshop.com
Elie Saab L’Homme
Bergamot and pink pepper sparkle at first spritz, while smoky vetiver and warm cedarwood bring a touch of mystery and sophistication. It’s the scent for the festival-goer who moves between stages and tents with quiet, magnetic confidence. It’s one of those fragrances that’s as enigmatic as it is inviting.
£62.50 for 50ml eau de parfum johnlewis.com
Sabrina Carpenter Sweet Tooth Cherry Baby
This flirty, cherry-rich fragrance is a playful nod to festival fun – think sweet cherry, dark chocolate, and peony wrapped up in ultra cute packaging. It’s vibrant, youthful, and just the thing for making new friends under the festival marquee – and it lasts really well on even dance-warmed skin.
£39.99 for 75ml eau de parfum thefragranceshop.co.uk
Guess Iconic Man
A bold, spicy opening of Sichuan pepper and mandarin sets the tone for adventure, while aromatic sage and earthy vetiver keep things grounded and intriguing. It’s the scent for the festival trailblazer who loves to stand out, but doesn’t want to try too hard – effortlessly cool and utterly beguiling, leaving a trail of allure wherever they party.
£67 for 100ml eau de toilette guess.eu
Written by Suzy Nightingale