🪵 The Inspiration: The Whole Bush
Most rose perfumes focus only on the flower. Rose de Mai Wood focuses on the whole bush: the woody stems, the thorns, the roots in the soil, and the bark. It is a grounding, earthy interpretation of the Rose de Grasse. It contrasts the delicate sweetness of the flower with the rugged strength of wood. It is a unisex rose, stripped of its frills and presented in its raw, natural state.
🧪 The Olfactory Architecture: Bark and Bloom
The fragrance opens with Black Pepper and Carrot Seed (which has an earthy, iris-like smell). The heart is Rose de Mai Absolute paired with Geranium. The base is the star: Virginian Cedarwood, Guaiac Wood, and Vetiver. It smells like a rose garden in late autumn, woody and dry.
🌿 Raw Material Sourcing: The Timber
-
Cedarwood Virginia (USA): A dry, pencil-shaving wood oil that provides structure.
-
Guaiac Wood (Paraguay): A dense, smoky wood that adds a touch of mystery.
-
Rose de Mai (Grasse): The classic Centifolia rose, but here we emphasize its spicy, honeyed base rather than its top notes.
🧠The Scent Psychology: Stability and Resilience
Woody scents are psychologically grounding. They represent stability, resilience, and strength. Rose de Mai Wood is for the person who is both beautiful and strong. It projects an image of reliability and depth. It is a "Power Rose."
🇬🇧 The London Lab Technology
We used Root-Extraction Fractionation. We utilized Vetiver fractions that emphasize the "woody" aspects over the "earthy/dirty" aspects, creating a clean wood base that supports the rose without muddying it.
✨ The Application Ritual
When to wear: Work, autumn walks, business meetings, or when you need to feel grounded.
Where to spray: Chest and wrists.
Style pairing: Trench coats, leather boots, wool trousers, neutral tones, and structured fashion.
💠From the Perfumer's Diary
"It's not just a flower; it's a tree. It has roots. It's incredibly chic and modern. It reminds me of gardening—the smell of earth and wood on your hands, mixed with the scent of the roses."
