LE HAUTE TREND REPORT

Warmer temperatures in sight for the Big Apple as jackets become a distant memory of winters past - and with these brighter days come lighter layers of clothing and fresher scents fit for the season. Similar to how we change styles for each season, scents are also created to better suit certain times of the year, especially during Spring and summer.

In New York we have no shortage of humidity and warm days, and as those temperatures rise, our fragrances can often feel heavier, sticky and overwhelming. The way we archive our coats, we too must do the same for those oud, leathery, smoky scents and look forth to for lighter, fresher, citrusy notes because no one wants to be ‘that guy’ in the elevator that overwhelms us with an acidic smell that makes a ten-second ride feel like two minutes underwater. There is a way to hijack chemistry and navigate your scent game so you can smell your best despite whatever is in the forecast. A few general considerations for helping revamp your scent include…

• Heat Intensifies Notes: Warm weather causes scents to “bloom” faster, intensifying notes and speeding up evaporation. A heavy, leathery, musky, or spicy scent meant for cold weather can become overbearing and feel more suffocating than refreshing when we hit 80 degrees. High humidity can make fragrances feel thicker.
• Suitability and Comfort: The same way you change your wardrobe to find heat relief, lighter, fresh or citrus scents also feel refreshing in spring and summer whereas those heavy, warm winter favorite scents feel out of place. You wouldn’t wear a parka on Memorial Day so why sport the aromatic equivalent?
• Improved Performance: Light, airy, and citrusy notes work better in heat, while heavy scents can turn sour, off-putting or “too sharp” when interacting with increased sweat.

Luckily, we have fragrance options for the season that surely will work with any pH or temperature.

FOR A NEW CLASSIC TOUCH OF SCENTED LUXURY…
Unlike earthy, heavy vetiver fragrances, Creed’s latest launch, Wild Vetiver, is an uplifting blend of citrus notes of grapefruit and bergamot, combined with floral and woody notes that feels clean and modern. It’s clean, smells expensive and was created for increased longevity so you can wear it from the office to an al fresco evening dinner. Wild Vetiver instantly became a crowd favorite when launched earlier in the year and it’s easy to see why because Creed has more than 250 years of craftsmanship excellence. Originally a brand serving European royal families, Creed has now amassed a laundry list of fans across the globe including recognizable personalities of the likes of George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Pierce Brosnan, Michelle Obama, David Bowie and many more.

FOR A TOUCH OF QUIET LUXURY…
Swedish fragrance house Byredo is the epitome of quiet luxury with their discreet bottle designs where the sparkle is not the packaging but rather the magic comes alive when the molecules meet air making it a favorite amongst names including Kate Bosworth and Rose Huntington-Whitley. The Absolut version of their classic Mojave Ghost has been a popular option for Spring as this version intensifies their popular original scent with higher concentration, providing better longevity and superior projection. Mojave Ghost Absolut offers a deeper, creamier, and more intimate “skin scent” experience that blends pear and woody notes creating an aroma that lingers longer with notes that feel like sun-baked wood and crushed petals – it’s not a fragrance that will command presence when you enter a room but it is one that will not go unnoticed as folks come closer – it’s an elixir that radiates quiet luxury

FOR A HINT OF THE AMALFI COAST…
If there’s one scent profile that truly encapsulates the ‘Dolce Vita’ Amalfitana it’s the citrus zest of the regional lemons that have become as emblematic of the Italian coast as its cliffside houses and postcard vistas. No one quite captures that scent profile as Dolce & Gabbana with their signature Light Blue parfum that mixes citrus zest with notes of Granny Smith apples, cedarwood making it year after year one of the most sought-after scents as temperatures rise. And on social media it is frequently recommended by users for being an easy-to-wear, clean, and “unisex-leaning” scent suitable for daily use or beach days. A favorite among Hollywood’s elite including Madonna, Kim Kardashian, Theo James and more – Dolce & Gabbana continuously shows us how Italian style never goes out of fashion, including in the scent department.

FOR THE BOMBSHELL…
Carolina Herrera’s ‘La Bomba’ is its newest fragrance inspired by the iconic nickname given to Carolina by legendary editor and local socialite Diana Vreeland, who described her as ‘loud, fabulous and explosive.’ La Bomba as its name hints in Spanish is a bomb of confidence and bold femininity featuring notes of tropical pitaya, cherry peony, and solar vanilla. Designed as an attention-grabbing scent that will not go unnoticed when you walk into a room, La Bomba is housed in a butterfly-shaped, fuchsia-toned bottle with a pink quartz-inspired cap that reminds us that this warmer season we have carte blanche to unapologetically live our most free-spirited and transformative summer yet.

FOR THE TRAVELERS WHO KNOW…
For those who enjoy traveling and are familiar with the EDITION hotels across the globe, they’ll instantly recognize this scent. While the Le Labo products at EDITION hotels are an exclusive line you can only enjoy while on property, Le Labo’s Thé Noir 29 is a very similar expression that to the common nose will smell nearly identical, and is available at their boutiques. Commonly referenced as a highly intoxicating, “compliment-getter” fragrance, this unique, unisex blend of black tea, bergamot, fig, and bay leaves, dries down into a woody, and slightly smoky scent. It balances the freshness of tea with cedarwood and tobacco-like notes, making it versatile for both cooler spring nights and or an evening night out on the town. In simplest terms, Thé Noir 29 gives an “iced tea” vibe.

FROM AMALFI TO THE AEGEAN SEA…
Building upon fragrances that instantly transport us to our favorite destinations, Philosykos by Dyptique is a piece of the Greek isles in a bottle. One mist and you’ll instantly feel back in Paros, Milos and beyond reminiscing of your favorite summer under the sun and olive trees. This ultimate, earthy, ‘green’ fig scent, offers a nostalgic, unisex aroma that is popular for its unique, creamy blend of fig leaf, fruit, and woody notes, making it a highly sought-after, sophisticated fragrance for spring and summer. The scent evokes a ‘sun-drenched’ summer vibe and is easy to wear day or night whether on route to the beach or office.

While scents can completely transform any mood and outfit – they’re only half of the style equation. The most important part is the attitude of the user and aesthetically sporting what feels right for you. While fragrances follow seasonal scent trends, the beauty lies in the beholder’s nose as everyone has individual palette preferences and a unique PH that makes no two scent experiences the same. After all, no two New Yorkers are the same, it seems fitting our scent game should follow suit.