Travel NOTES
The history of fragrances is beautifully distilled by Crabtree & Evelyn via its limited-edition Heritage Collection. By SC Chua.
From the East came the jasmine, one of the oldest blossoms loved for its exotic fragrance, while the West had the Italian freesia, which tells the tale of the magnificent floral havens of a bygone Renaissance. In ancient Seville, Arabian traders planted bitter orange trees in perfumed gardens, which provided a signature citrus scent that lingers throughout the city even till today.
Tales of these heritage ingredients trace back to centuries of exotic travels, crossing borders and cultures where they proved to be invaluable, especially to ancient perfumers in search of intoxicating scents that would last forever. Perfumers sailed the world on aromatic adventures, discovering ingredients such as the Sicilian lemon, Italian bergamot, and Spanish neroli, all of which were brought back to their homelands to be used in wondrous concoctions that would ultimately make lasting impressions.
For Crabtree & Evelyn, these inspiring journeys were carefully documented after years of thorough research and exploring the
FLORAL FAME
VENETIAN VIOLET A symbol of purity and modesty, violets have decorated the canal bridges of Venice since ancient times. The tiny flower possesses a sweet, powdery scent, its leaves a crisp freshness, perfect for the sophisticate who appreciates more delicate fragrances. olfactory world. The result is The Heritage Collection, limited-edition scents that celebrate this time-honoured exploration of nature and also the brand’s 40 years of expertise in producing quality fragrances.
Why the sudden desire to go back in time for new inspiration? It all goes back to Crabtree & Evelyn founder Cyrus Harvey’s aspirations: “To explore everything and keep the best.” Each concoction is based on different travel memoirs of the brand’s preceding perfumers, parcelled in vintage bottles and modern renditions that are still relevant today. It only goes to show how these ingredients were destined to remain precious and timeless.
Bl Blended d d to f fragrant perfection, f each h one, with its own emotive flourish, will immediately transport you to another world; one in which your senses are softly indulged and your spirit completely renewed. FLORENTINE FREESIA Commonly found in Italy, the freesia is especially prevalent throughout the lush botanical gardens of Florence. Its peppery zing is truly captivating and equally pleasant in a floral mix. Refreshingly woody, it also teases with a subtle citrusy note. JASMINE Through the Silk Road, the jasmine made its way to France, Spain, and then Italy where it quickly became a firm favourite. One of the most expensive oils used in perfumery, its demand remains strong and it takes 8,000 handpicked blossoms to make just 1ml of jasmine absolute.