ALL ABOUT OUR LATEST COLLABORATION
Recently, Paper Planes, the brand responsible for getting the world’s finest indie magazines to India, wrote in with a new initiative they were working on. The past few years have seen Paper Planes grow from a magazine subscription service to a design-led online space.
For their very first product collaboration, they tied up with The We Exist Foundation, a Delhi-based not-for-profit organization that works towards the bettering of stray dogs’ lives. Inspired by the idea of good living, Paper Planes reached out to us to create a fine fragrance candle.
Crafted just in time for the festive season, the mantra of this fine fragrance candle goes beyond spreading warmth and good vibes. Part of the proceeds from the sale of each candle contribute to a sterilisation drive for stray dogs. India is home to about 30 million stray dogs who face a lot of threats and fears – from abusive treatment to fights with one other – along with welfare problems like malnutrition, disease, and injury from road accidents. A sterilisation drive would prevent thousands of pups from being born on the streets in the future.
For a limited time period, the candle is available for purchase on Paper Planes’ website – do check it out here!
AT THE GOYAA X BP COLLABORATION
Fine fragrances, fine cocktails, what’s not to love!
We recently collaborated with Goyaa, a bold and experimental space in Goyaa, known for its modern and minimal approach to design, food and drinks. Their master mixologist, Mariki Sayles, who was last at Le Bernardin in New York, crafted a limited edition menu of 3 cocktails, inspired by our candles and perfumes.
From the 5th to the 8th of December 2018, guests could experience an elevated take on perfumery, as their senses of smell, taste and sight were stimulated.
Cocktail #1 was inspired by our fine fragrance candle, Blushing Oud. Decadent and heady, the candle has Rasperries, Roses and Oudh. Mariki created an interesting take on the candle with gin, red wine, raspberry, pink peppercorn and rose – sweet with a kick of heat!
Cocktail #2 was inspired by another one of our fine fragrance candles, Pondicherry Yellow. Highlighted by Turmeric, Coconut and Sandalwood, it brings to mind easygoing times spent in the company of loved ones. Mariki created a tropical take on it with rum, coconut, ginger, turmeric and cinnamon – we can just about hear those waves crashing into the shore!
Cocktail #3 was inspired by Moire, our narcotic women’s fragrance. With its contrasting ingredients of Tuberose and Leather, it’s a sensory experience like no other. Mariki crafted an intriguing cocktail of scotch, brandy, apricot, black cardamom & angostura bitters for a swwet yet strong take on Moire.
IN PROCESS : OUD
Decadent, mysterious, luxurious – Oud is all that and much more. A highly revered ingredient commonly known as “Liquid Gold” in the fragrance world, it’s one of the headliners in our brand new fine fragrance candle, Blushing Oud.
The distinctive scent originates from the wood of the South East Asian agar tree. When the wood is affected by a particular type of mold, it produces a dark resin which, when extracted, is known as Oud. The super-rare ingredient is much in demand, for its scarcity (the very best oud comes from very old trees), as well as its particular scent which achieves the balance between sweet and deep.
Oud has been used for centuries in Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, mainly for religious and festive purposes, in an incense form. Medicinally, it has been used by Chinese practitioners whilst its oil has been used for perfume in Arabic countries.
Though there are a multitude of ways to extract the oil, today, it’s quite time- and cost-sensitive to do so. Perfumeries and incense makers prefer to use a synthetic version of oud, as compared to the all-natural one. For our Blushing Oud, we’ve used a blend of natural and synthetic Ouds to bring about a layer of complexity.
For our fine fragrance candle, the aim was to celebrate the ingredients like never before. We paired deep oud with romantic roses for a distinctive fragrance that evokes & is evocative of memories.
IN PROCESS : VANILLA
Strong, earthy, flavourful. Though often lambasted for being too bland, Vanilla adds a sort of distinctive freshness and depth to a scent that makes it stand out.
Vanilla Planifolia (source)
Originating from Mexico, vanilla became popular when the Europeans reached America in the 17th century. First used to flavour food and as a common ingredient in medicines due to its taste & smell, vanilla has steadily become of the most recognizable scents across the world.
Though there are many strains, two, in particular, are preferred due to their distinctive aroma. Vanilla Planifolia grows in tropical climes such as Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America – this is often considered one of the best strains as it originally grew in Mexico but today, it’s not used as much as Vanilla Bourbon. Originating from Madagascar, this strain is similar to the Planifolia but due to the change in soil & temperatures, it’s slightly different.
The process of extracting vanilla is an intriguing one. The green beans harvested in June and August are scalded and dried for about six months and are ready for extraction in January and February. This process allows for the Vanillin, the molecule that gives the distinctive profile, to emerge.
Vanilla’s a key ingredient at Bombay Perfumery. Featured in our brand new fine fragrance Moon Set that has a rich olfactive family of amber, vanilla and patchouli, it acts as a balancing ingredient.
Lead Image by Ekrem Canli, source
INSPIRED BY : LAND ART
Our new series Inspired By looks at intriguing thought processes and awe-inspiring works of art that inspire, amuse, and encourage us.
In his iconic work “A Line Made By Walking”, Richard Long sought to explore the act of walking and its effects on the land it was practised upon. While walking to and fro, he marked the ground with a line, imprinting it onto the grass yet still opening it up to the ravages of time. This dichotomy is what defines Land Art – and what we think of when thinking of our fine fragrance candle Moon Set.
Land Art first gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s as a response to ecological erosion. To make something beautiful on land, that may or may not exist a few years down the line, yet may affect the space around it… this act has a quality of contemplation to it.
The meditative Moon Set has been crafted for quieter moments, which is why we are so moved by Land Art. Here are a few of our favourite artworks, for your viewing pleasure.
Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty is one of the most well-recognized pieces of Land Art. Built from mud, salt crystals, basalt rocks, earth and water, it was transported to the northeastern part of the Great Salt Lake. At that time, the water level was uncharacteristically low. A few years later, the levels rose and the structure was submerged until 1999 when it emerged once again, changed by its time under the water.
Icy and Sot, street artists, turned to nature for their project Nature’s Reflection.
The Sahara desert became a canvas for D.A.S.T Arteam who created this piece of epic proportions in the 1990s. Meant to be enjoyed as an aerial view as well as walked through, it’s all about the interaction one has with one’s surroundings.
Sunset Circles by Richard Long
Lead image : Harmonize by Gerry Berry
INSPIRED BY : CALLIGRAPHY
Inspired by : Calligraphy 1 March 2019
Our new series Inspired By looks at intriguing thought processes and awe-inspiring works of art that inspire, amuse, and encourage us.
Elegant, timeless, graceful – the art of calligraphy brings decadent style to mind. Its ornate style brings heritage to mind though it has been a study in evolution. Often accompanied by art, especially in times gone by, calligraphy reveals a nuanced tale.
Blushing Oud, one of our three new candles, is a story of decadence and modernism, with its rich notes of oudh and roses. Romantic and nostalgic, it brings letter-writing to our mind, which is why we love the art of Calligraphy…
Onna sanjūrokkasen by Chobunsai Eishi & Katsushika Hokusai, 1801. Source.
Variable Calligraphy by Dalibor Chatrny, 1969. Source.
Detail from the Shah Jahan Album, circ 1640-1650. Source.
INSPIRED BY : TROPICAL MODERNISM
Inspired By : Tropical Modernism 3 May 2019
Our new series Inspired By looks at intriguing thought processes and awe-inspiring works of art that inspire, amuse, and encourage us.
Glimpses of strength and grace – Tropical Modernism brings that and much more to the plate. Significant because of the way it is designed for its environment, the stunning architectural style brings balance to the fore.
Our new candle Pondicherry Yellow is reminiscent of balance in the way distinct scents are handled deftly. A certain pride accompanies it, in the usage of fine Indian ingredients – the same pride that infuses Tropical Modernism and its use of indigenous material.
Known for its wide open spaces and increased ventilation, Tropical Modernism stands out yet fits in beautifully. With its statement ingredients such as turmeric, coconut and sandalwood, Pondicherry Yellow also walks that very same tightrope.
Courtyard by Geoffrey Bawa.
Photo by Frits Meyest.
Vladimir Ossipoff’s work in Hawaii.
IN PROCESS : TURMERIC
With an astronomical increase in popularity over the last few years, Turmeric has become a trendy ingredient. Though is role in the culinary arts among South Asian countries has long since established, what is quite unknown is its role in perfumery.
Originating in countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Turmeric is also known as “Indian Saffron” for its rich hue and myriad uses from medicinal to beauty. The root of the plant is mostly used, and for perfumery, the oil is extracted after steam distilling the root.
Turmeric has a very distinct flavour profile. Spicy, woody, earthy and warm tones stand out, and in turn, it adds a bit of heat as well.
For our tropical candle Pondicherry Yellow, the use of turmeric was a must. A modern retelling of the famous Haldi Doodh or Golden Latte, the candle has notes of turmeric, coconut and sandalwood, creating a warm and comforting scent.
SCENT TALES : OSMANTHUS
In our latest series, we explore how exactly some of the more rare ingredients we work with smell. Today, it’s all about the exotic Osmanthus Flower.
What does Osmanthus Flower smell like?
A key ingredient in our unisex fragrance Chai Musk, Osmanthus is native to Asia, especially China, Japan, and Korea. With over thirty different species of flowering plants, Osmanthus is quite popular and has a variety of uses, from medicinal to culinary, along with having a strong presence in Chinese culture.
Though it’s quite popular in the East, it’s a lesser-known ingredient around the world. In Perfumery, the flowers are used for their scent. Usually, they change from silvery white to goldish orange to red in the span of its lifetime. However, for perfumery, the goldish orange flowers are used as they tend to have the notes that truly stand out.
Osmanthus is known for its complex blend of freshness and fruity-leathery notes. Almost reminiscent of decadent apricots and peaches, the flower is highly fragrant – fresh, sweet and powerful in equal terms. Technically speaking, Osmanthus has a white floral note and peachy-milky notes that lead to a very distinct flavour profile.
For our Chai Musk, osmanthus adds that hit of sublime sweetness that elevates the fragrance’s fresh and musky profile.
SCENT TALES : MYRHH
In our latest series, we explore how exactly some of the more rare ingredients we work with smell. Today, it’s all about classic Myrhh.
An ingredient that has been ingrained in our collective minds since the dawn of time, Myrhh is at once mysterious and iconic. An integral part of our unisex perfume 1020, it lends warmth and earthiness to a fragrance.
Originating from Northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, the name ‘Myrhh’ comes from the Arabic word ‘murr’ meaning bitter. Known for its medicinal properties, it is actually a natural gum or resin extracted from the small thorny tree species belonging to the genus Commiphora.
The uses of Myrhh range from medicinal – it is an essential ingredient in Ayurveda – to incense and perfumery. In the past, it has played an important role in religious rituals as well in Ancient Egypt, Islam & Christianity.
The myrhh resin is extracted twice a year by a process known as Tapping. An incision is made in the tea trunk from where one can access the gum resin reservoirs.
Myrhh is known for its sweet yet nutty and warm profile – much like a mix of sandalwood and cedarwood mixed with vanilla. The earthy and musky ingredient adds depth and a slight bit of darkness to a fragrance. In our unisex fragrance 1020, Myrhh is one of the base ingredients, the ones that give a foundation to the fragrance.
SCENT TALES : OUD
In our latest series, we explore how exactly some of the more rare ingredients we work with smell. Today, it’s all about mysterious Oud.
Popularly known as “Liquid Gold”, Oud is a resinous and fragrant heartwood commonly found in South and Southeast Asia. The heady musky and sensual scent is known for its ability to infuse a sense of decadence – which is why it’s one of the key ingredients in our candle “Blushing Oud”.
The incredibly rare scent is enhanced by its legacy – today, the finest oud is sourced from the oldest trees. Interestingly, it was referred to as the “Wood of the Gods” as far back as the 3rd century AD in China! Used for religious and medicinal purposes in China, India and Vietnam, oud is also incredibly popular in the Middle East. The dark and rich scent is a result of the Agar tree being infected and producing a special type of mold which is then extracted.
There are three methods of extracting oud such as hydro distillation, steam distillation and CO2 extraction. However, the agarwood today has been declared as an endangered species, which is why synthetic strains have been developed as well.
For our Blushing Oud candle, we paired this luxe scent with timeless roses for an air of modern decadence. Highlighted by saffron and raspberries, it’s an explosion of the senses.
SCENT TALES : STAR ANISE
Scent Tales : Star Anise 7 February 2020
In our latest series, we explore how exactly some of the more rare ingredients we work with smell. Today, we talk about the intriguing Star Anise.
Intense in its approach, Star Anise is known for its recognizable aroma and its star-like detailing. Originating from Vietnam and China, the fruit of this evergreen tree is dried to create both the spice and fragrance.
With culinary, medicinal, olfactory and symbolic uses, Star Anise is perhaps known best for its place in Japanese myth which states that it wards off the evil eye and brings good luck in money and love. Its incense is used in worship in Japanese temples.
The olfactory profile of Star Anise is both familiar yet unfamiliar. With a strong licorice-like profile, Star Anise is warm, sweet and aromatic. It is balanced beautifully when it is mixed with Cardamom and Citrus notes, bringing both similarity and contrast to the table.
In our recently-launched Ela, we have paired this hard-working ingredient with Cardamom and Citrus to create a warm yet fresh fine fragrance candle. Experience it online today.
