Hitting the fragrance scene nearly three centuries ago, you would be right in thinking that Floris London is an expert at crafting luxurious fragrance. Editor Trudi Brewer shares a collection of fragrances that are now at home here in New Zealand. Read on to explore their rich history and lasting appeal.
Image BeautyEQ The team’s favourites from the Floris London collection
One of the oldest and most respected perfumeries in the UK, Floris London, has arrived on our shores, bringing with it some of its most famous scents. A quintessentially British fragrance house, the brand still operates from its flagship store at 89 Jermyn Street in London. Founded in 1730 by a husband-and-wife team, Juan and Elizabeth Famenias Floris, it is still privately owned and family-run today, and managed by the 8th and 9th generations of the Floris and Bodenham families. “Floris has always been rooted in the belief that fragrance is deeply personal - something that captures identity, emotion and memory in a way few things can,” says today’s Edward Bodenham, Perfumery Director and 9th generation family member at Floris London.
Crafting luxury perfumes for her, him, and unisex offerings, Floris London has 16 fragrances here in New Zealand, many of which boast a rich royal history. From aromatic, amber perfumes to classic, pretty florals and fruity garumonds, there's a scent for every fragrance taste, and each is crafted with the finest ingredients from across the globe.
Influenced by well-known figures, notably Marilyn Monroe and Florence Nightingale, there is also a James Bond connection. Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, was a devotee of the brand who believed that citrusy-woody scents were in Floris London’s DNA. He famously wrote a scene in his novel Diamonds Are Forever where Bond heads to Jermyn Street to stock up on No. 89 (which happens to be my favourite from the collection). That scent hit the silver screen, too, when Miss Moneypenny used Floris London No. 89 shaving bowl and soap on actor Daniel Craig, James Bond, in the 2012 film Skyfall.
But perhaps its most famous influence is the Royal Family. Floris London comes with a Royal Warrant - an official mark of patronage from the British Royal Family. Since 1820, Floris London has created a royal scent to mark an auspicious occasion. From Her Majesty Queen Victoria’s wedding-day scent in 1840 for His Royal Highness Prince Albert. Bouquet de La Reine, meaning "The Queen’s Bouquet," is still a white floral like that original, but has been brought into the modern era with woody violet leaf, juicy blackcurrant, and tuberose. Fresh peach combines with jasmine, rose, and ylang-ylang, with lasting oakmoss, sandalwood, and vanilla.
Another Royal masterpiece was a unisex perfume for the then-royals, Megan and Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, in celebration of their wedding. That royal scent was inspired by Bergamotto di Positano, one of the brand's top-selling fragrances, which reflects balmy nights on the Amalfi Coast in the Mediterranean. It blends mandarin and marine notes with orange blossom, hints of vanilla, amber, ambrette, and ginger. Another royal celebration worthy of a woody aroma was Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Also available in the collection, Platinum 22. It blends cool orris with the comforting scent of oats. Zesty blackcurrant with lime; a rich rose with violet leaves; clary sage and black tea; the touch of black pepper and cedarwood adds the spice.
Today, that Royal connection remains strong, with Floris London continuing to hold a Royal Warrant from His Majesty King Charles III.
Floris London fragrances are available exclusively at Life Pharmacy and Beauty by Life.
Editor Trudi Brewer & Style Director Louise Hilsz Favourites
Floris London No.89, 10ml, $60, 100ml, $380
This is everything I look for in a winter scent. An elegant cologne with a very sexy history, it’s been around since 1951. Not only does No.89 have a James Bond connection, but it’s also the number of the Floris shop on London’s Jermyn Street. It’s got just enough spice thanks to nutmeg and a citrus bite from bergamot, neroli, orange, and petitgrain. The floral blend is lavender, geranium, rose, and heady ylang-ylang. But why it’s the perfect cool-weather scent is the dominance of woods - namely cedarwood, musk, oakmoss, and sandalwood. The compliments are flowing.
Editor Trudi Brewer’s favourite Floris London No.89
Floris London Jermyn Street EDP, 10ml, $60, 100ml, $380
“I like to wear men’s scents, and this is the perfect balance of fresh and woody,” says Louise Hilsz. Drawing on aromas of gin made in old copper stills, with, of course, a splash of lemon and juniper, like all good stiff gins. The coriander adds a woody-green aroma as well as the scent of London plane trees, which still stand in front of the Floris London store on Jermyn Street. Finally, the blend of cedar and musk, with a crisp cotton accord, was inspired by the many shirtmakers who sit handsomely on Jermyn Street, a stone's throw from Piccadilly Circus.
Louise Hilsz Floris London pick, Jermyn Street
Other Floris London scents to suit all fragrance tastes
Floris London Santal EDt, 10ml, $60, 100ml, $380
Distinct, exotic, and warm. While this falls into the men’s scent offering, this amber-woody fragrance, built on divine sandalwood, also offers the juxtaposition of crisp bergamot, lemon, and vetiver, blended with a spicy cedarwood, patchouli, frankincense, musk, tonka, and vanilla. For a scent created in the 1800’s, it’s still bang on trend today.
Floris London Honey Oud Eau De Parfum, 10ML $60, 100ml, $380
If you like to steer clear of stereotypical floral scents, Honey Oud has a unique gourmand-amber-like aroma. With a cocktail of creamy vanilla, English honey and warming oud (also known as agarwood), it’s rounded off nicely with a subtle touch of sweet rose. This is an exotic scent that is almost good enough to eat.
Floris London Tuberose in Silk, 10ml, $60, 100ml, $380
Famous for being the perfect collision of green, earthy and floral, its mystery lies in the blend of iris, orange blossom and camphor. Sweet, heady tuberose blends beautifully with fruity notes and a hint of warm musk. This is a sensual, mesmerising scent.
Floris London Cefiro Eau de Toilette, 10ml, $60, 100ml, $380
Cefiro, the Spanish word for 'zephyr,' meaning a gentle breeze, which sums up the ingredients in this crisp, unisex, citrus scent.
To conjure up a visual picture, think of lemon and lime, bergamot and mandarin, warmed by spicy notes of cardamom and nutmeg.
It was created to linger thanks to the floral burst of jasmine and musky, woody base.
Floris London Mulberry Fig EDP, 10ml, $60, 100ml, $380
Another unisex offering, this scent blends fresh fig and bergamot with spicy cardamom and creamy coconut. Its lasting impression comes from the amber sandalwood base, a popular combination that lingers, leaving a smooth, milky, and buttery aroma.
A famous luxury scent collection, you may have never heard of.