July editorial - news from our perfume studio

January 7, 2026

Summer news

Hello,

I hope you're all well.

It's been a particularly busy few weeks here at our perfume studio. We held our building's summer festival (you're all very welcome to come to these - we'll do another in the winter) and we've been busy preparing to launch our new parfum collection.

I won't unveil everything just yet - this new trilogy will be officially released and available to buy on our website on 23 July.

One of the perfume writers who had an advance sniff just sent me this note: "All three are beautiful and full of soul. I have been obsessed with your orange blossom - that's especially dreamy"

What I've been wearing

In this heatwave, I've been reaching for our award-winning London perfume. This composition is a riff on the classic rose-leather accord (which for me symbolises the grit/glam contrasts of my home city.)

What makes it especially novel is the fresh tonic-like opening.

We achieve this effect with cucumber water and violet leaf absolute - a natural 'green' note with floral aspects that is a favourite raw material of many perfumers.

The perfect scent for when the mercury rises.

Personal reco: James Heeley's Sel Marin is another of my hot weather favourites. Think sun, sand and sea air

Discover London

London tasting notes

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: Fresh tonic-like cucumber water, violet leaf absolute

Heart: Rose de Mai absolute (this is the iconic rose from Grasse, France - harvested each May) and iris / orris butter

And the base of this scent is constructed using an elegant suede note (alongside a more traditional leather note), sandalwood, patchouli, and a little cedarwood

Summer escapes - recommendations

What I'll be reading

Talking of the gritty side of London ... Alexander Baron's The Lowlife. This novel, published in 1963, about a wide-boy gambler ducking and diving his way through life is a cult classic. It's particularly appealing to me because it's set in the streets of Hackney, where our studio is located. People I know who've read it tell me that it brilliantly evokes the changing face of post-war East London

What I've been listening to

We've had French duo AaRON The Band on repeat. I think they're magical and completely underrated -- their music adding a little extra joy to whatever we're working on

Here's a taste of their music and artistry

AaRON - The Leftovers - YouTube

Where I'm planning to go

I'm planning my 'summer break' in September ( once I've got this launch done I shall definitely need a rest! ) - and I'm off to Georgia and Armenia.

I'll be re-reading An Armenian Sketchbook - by one of my favourite writers, Vasily Grossman. If any of you know or have visited the Caucasus, all tips or recommendations gratefully received!

Wishing you all a wonderful and joyful summer wherever it may take you!

Nick