Barnes Fragrance Fair - for the authentic indie perfumers !

We had a fantastic day at the Barnes Fragrance Fair, alongside our fellow indie perfume-makers. People like Maya N'Jie (check out her excellent Vanilj) and a new discovery for me: the clever, inventive ånd fragrance. We'll do it all again next May!

One of my own highlights was sharing a sneak peek of the three new parfums. 

This is the best kind of 'consumer research' - seeing and hearing your reactions first-hand. 

We improvised some 8ml travel spray sets for the show - which proved wildly popular - so we're now working on a similar 'discovery set' idea for the launch in July

And speaking of our new trio ... I was out 'on press' to sign off the packaging production. I love this part of making a tangible product: the machinery, the smells in the workshop, the expertise and attention to detail of the people we work with on a project like this. Plus I'm proud that we're making our products here in the UK, giving work to other small businesses.

Fun fact: we're the very first British brand to be using this beautiful plum-coloured paper - selected specially for this new collection. Who says artisan brands can't be at the forefront of innovation?

Our latest release, Buenos Aires, was a real hit at the fair and is now included in our Nomad discovery set. It's definitely a long-lasting fragrance, but with the playfulness, elegance and sophistication I always want you to find in our creations

Did you know that when we talk about 'notes' in perfumes, we're referring to the evolution (and evaporation) of the composition.

Top notes are your first impression - but they're fleeting pleasures. Then comes the heart - typically lasting for the first couple of hours. Then the base, which will last 5-7 hours, depending on the materials we're using. 

Top: grape accord, Paraguayan petitgrain - which is an essential oil from the leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree

Heart: yerba maté - with its grassy, hay, smoky tobacco-like character

And the base of this scent celebrates the much-loved tonka bean, with its creamy, woody, spicy and nutty facets. With some subtle touches of leather and dulce de leche