The Old World Collection

The exclusive bespoke essential oil mixtures have now expanded to include 4 beautiful old world fragrance combinations that are reflective of the unique and exclusive perfumes that came to fruition during the earlier years of modern world perfumery.

It was during the later portion of the 19th century and early part of the 20th century where mixture of complex oils, oftentimes mixed with synthetic molecules, gave rise to very distinct perfumes. Two very important genres of perfumes that arose were the Fougère accord — first introduced by Houbigant in 1882 and created by master perfumer Paul Parquet — and the Chypre accord, which emerged in 1917 through François Coty.

Parquet chose the name “Fougère” to draw an olfactory parallel with the fern. There are certain reproducible essential oil elements to the basic Fougère including lavender, geranium, coumarin, and oakmoss, often accompanied by various combinations of woods, salicylates, musks, herbs, and spices.

The year 1917 gave birth to the iconic Chypre by François Coty — a provocative fragrance based on the distinctive accord of bergamot, oakmoss, and labdanum. The original Chypre also included citrus, certain floral and wood notes, along with patchouli.

The Collesta Gold of the Sea Chypre includes ambergris, rare floral elements such as iris, magnolia, rose, tuberose, orange blossom, pink lotus, and jasmine sambac. It also contains certain important synthetic molecules that enhance the intensity and longevity of the other notes, including hedione, timbersilk, and C10 aldehyde.

All four of the Old World fragrances are an homage to the history of modern perfume in the early 20th century. Each of these classic combinations will be considered separately.