Words: Emma Hill
Regular readers will know that the His & Hers team gets a tad giddy every time there’s a new Jo Malone London fragrance launch, and over the years we’ve paid numerous visits to the brand’s London townhouse to see it transformed for the grand unveiling of their newest fragrance or collection. From the 10,000 freshly cut peonies that filled the townhouse for the launch of Peony & Blush Suede to the indoor skating rink for 2014’s Christmas press day to the old fashioned sweet shop that was just too good to leave, the Jo Malone team excel at creating a whole fantasy world for journalists and bloggers to lose themselves in for a few hours.
Of course, it’s not easy to turn the heads of beauty bloggers and journalists when every other luxury brand is vying to capture their attention with perfect press days, gifts and, if all else fails, press trips. However, Jo Malone London remains the brand that everyone turns out for whatever the weather and so on an icy January day I found myself surrounded by wild flowers, bloggers and beauty journalists for a day dedicated to the launch of the new limited edition collection: Wild Flowers & Weeds.
For most brands, wild flowers and weeds would be a relatively brave source of inspiration for a new collection. However, when your range includes a whole collection of colognes inspired by teas and a green tomato leaf home candle, not to mention the beautiful wood sage & sea salt (a far from obvious combo), you can afford to be quietly confident that your customers will follow you wherever your perfumier’s imagination may lead.
From the first spritz of Cade & Cedarwood and Nettle & Wild Achillea (my personal favourites) I found myself thinking that they’re the kind of scents I’ll miss the moment they’re discontinued. Perhaps they’ll even join the empty bottles from some of my all-time favourite limited edition Jo Malone London collections that I keep just so that I can enjoy a trace of their scent long after the fragrances have sold out.
However, before I start getting sentimental, there’s plenty of time to try a spritz of the new fragrances (described below) and to choose your favourite in time for spring. Wild Flowers & Weeds launches in March and each 30ml cologne has an RRP of £49. Customers will receive a matching keepsake tin like the one pictured below with purchases of two scents from the collection, or the full line-up.
Nettle & Wild Achillea
The tangy sting of nettle, peeking through pavement cracks and entwined with wild, white achillea flower. Sparkling with bright bergamot, the greenness softened by a soft base of white musk.
Willow & Amber
The expressive weeping willow, gently draping across the fresh morning water. Captured in the woody pairing of cashmere wood and smoky vetiver, enhanced by softly sensual amber.
Cade & Cedarwood
The smouldering embers of a wood-burning stove at nightfall. Basking in the warm and comforting glow of cade – its smoky scent mingled with cedarwood and complemented by a mouth-watering hint of sensual vanilla.
Hemlock & Bergamot
Hemlock’s powdery petals, brightened with bergamot. A deadly, yet unexpectedly-delicate flower. Illuminated with golden mimosa and a floral flourish of heliotrope. Crisp and modern with a bite of cucumber.
Lupin & Patchouli
Reminiscent of canal banks, awash with colour. A rainbow of lupin flowers, enriched by luxurious rose and deepened with rebellious patchouli. A surprising contrast with the fresh vibrancy of mandarin.
Please keep me posted on your favourite fragrances from the Wild Flowers & Weeds collection (and any tips for fragrance combining will be welcomed!) In the meantime, I’d just like to say an enormous thank you to the Jo Malone London team for making every launch so special.
Also, as I like to end every feature with a recommendation for another article, it seemed apt to recommend this post featuring Rose Gallagher, one of the first people I spotted at the Wild Flowers & Weeds launch. I’d recommend following Rose because she’s one of those honest, approachable and genuinely knowledgeable beauty bloggers who’ll help you while away a thoroughly enjoyable lunch break obsessing over seriously good products. I’d also recommend following Rose because every once in a while she takes the time to apply a face mask with her dad and even has a hashtag: #masksmydadloves – you may not know it yet, but you need this kind of thing in your life!