Men’s skincare company Zirh has just released Ikon, a fragrance developed by perfumer Frank Voelkl. After reading Ikon’s ingredients list (davana flower, lemon, ginger, cardamom, black cinnamon, clove, iris, frankincense, labdanum, cedar, amber, vetiver and patchouli), I felt I didn’t need my crystal ball to know which notes would dominate the composition: there would be some ‘lemon’ (generic citrus), cardamom, and lots of cedar and amber. I’ve given up on mainstream fragrances presenting a bold patchouli note, a vibrant, expensive-smelling frankincense aroma, or a gutsy dose of labdanum; davana blossom essence is pricey, so I didn’t expect to detect it (and didn’t) in a $50 Eau de Toilette.
But still, I’m happy to report Ikon is much better than I imagined it would be. Ikon starts with a light, fresh lemon-ginger note. There is a speedy transition from citrus freshness to notes of cardamom, cedar and decent-quality frankincense…
Isabelle, Camille said, was working on a new Gardenia fragrance which she described as "fresh and light", and had just completed a new version of another fragrance, Mandragore. Both are slated to be launched next year.
"The new Mandragore is spicier, more aromatic, with notes like pepper and anise. The ingredients' potency is stronger. It's for winter, so it'll be darker," she said.
We imagine silk rustles, babblings and downed laughter, one thousand one delicate and tender delicacies, bouquets of languid roses distilling their pleasant perfume…
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