BLUE NOTE
You can rely on Karen Walker for a backstory, accompanying each new release with a niche fantastical, historical or geographical reference. For new Eau De Parfum, Runaway Azure, the story hints at the escapist nature of brand icon, the runaway girl. This time she’s nicked off to Capri.
“An exotic, uncharted atoll where the sea is a perfect shade of aquamarine and the air is warm and rich, redolent with luscious kumquat, sun-ripened driftwood and jungle vanilla,” to be exact.
“Runway Azure has an almost combustible sensuality,” Karen says of the just landed scent she created in partnership with with French perfumier Veronique Nyberg. “It’s a mystical bonfire with smoky amber and warm spices, cardamom, black pepper, and Guaiac wood, sparkling against the lushness of oriental mandarin and rose. It is compelling about how wildly feminine this scent feels when you wear it.” Or more simply, the perfect summer scent.
Another story Walker has begun this season is around her first foray into men’s fragrance. Tweaking the traditional woody amber of a masculine cologne, Monumental EDP is available from December 5.
“Masculinity is always tied in with our work. It’s in everything we do and we wanted to really focus on that element for fragrance this time.” says Walker of the move.
“We were inspired by monuments - the wonderful bronze and stone tributes you see in the great cities. We wanted the scent to have a sense of permanence and heritage but with revelation also. That’s why it has a rakish edginess with invigorating top notes (chili pepper leaf, pink peppercorn, pomegranate) bouncing off the very masculine and smoky base notes (wood amber, Bourbon Vetiver) and then unexpected florals (peony, lavender, geranium essence), so, the overall fragrance has a permanence but also a bright energy.”