Solar Scent, As You’ve Never Experienced It Before

Escape to the sunny, dreamy shores of the Seychelles, with the story of Beach Blossom

The Tale Of Beach Blossom

A great background story and a glorious medley of ingredients, seamlessly crafted together, are just some of the threads running through every Jo Malone London fragrance.

Of course Beach Blossom, the latest launch from the luxury British fragrance and lifestyle house, is no different. Jo Malone London scents will always unveil a slew of surprises, so it would be remiss to expect the expected. True to form, Beach Blossom takes the archetypal beach holiday fragrance and completely turns it on its head to create a sparkling-meets-solar scent. 

Beach Blossom’s creation was somewhat fortuitous, inspired by an encounter with a publication that builds stories around the confluence of nature and home.  ‘I always find ideas in there that spark inspiration,’ enthuses Céline Roux, Jo Malone London’s Global Head Of Fragrance. ‘One day I came across an amazing article that told the story of the coco de mer. I was like, “Wow, this is fantastic”,’ she recalls. ‘It was then I thought, “That's it, I want to create a fragrance inspired by coco de mer”.’

A rare, giant sculptural nut, historically associated with love and passion, the coco de mer grows on palm trees around the beaches of the Seychelles.

Sometimes referred to as a ‘double coconut’ or a ‘sea coconut’, coco de mer is specifically endemic to the islands of Praslin and Curieuse. Highly prized and collectable, coco de mer is also deemed to be a desirable piece of naturally grown art, one that is said to have magical and mythical properties.

While the story of coco de mer planted a seed of inspiration for the creation of Beach Blossom, Céline and perfumer Mathilde Bijaoui – the revered nose behind Myrrh & Tonka, Poppy & Barley and Jasmine Sambac & Marigold – were not interested in a literal translation.‘I liked the idea of a coconut-water accord but I didn't want it to smell of coconut or have a typical coconut-y, floral, beachy scent,’ says Céline. This explains why, despite being described as ‘solar’ – an olfactory family typified by warmth and a beachy, sun-cream effect – Beach Blossom doesn’t feature the ingredients usually associated with those scents; ylang-ylang and jasmine are nowhere to be found.

‘I wanted Beach Blossom to be fresh, solar and sensual but with a woody elegance.'

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Rather, Beach Blossom opens somewhat unexpectedly with a vibrant, zesty lime and a fresh aromatic mint ‘to give it a kick’, says Céline, adding with a chuckle, ‘like a mojito’. The heart of the fragrance is a fresh coconut-water accord that is light and subtle. Lime and a hint of mint enhance the beautiful freshness. Another element of surprise comes in the form of cedarwood. ‘I wanted Beach Blossom to be fresh, solar and sensual but with a woody elegance. I like that coco de mer is sculptural and has a woody finish, so I knew I definitely wanted that woody base – it gives it real sophistication.’

Finally, there’s a long-lasting trail that Céline describes as ‘so moreish’, which is created by combining the warm richness of tonka bean, vanilla and vetiver.

All the scents launched in the Blossoms Collection over the years are like Jo Malone London’s ticket to travel to a far-flung destination using the vehicle of scent. Beach Blossom is an open invitation to come on that journey. Asked to describe Beach Blossom in a single line, Céline doesn’t miss a beat. ‘Dreamy,’ she says with a smile, closing her eyes to take in the scent. ‘So dreamy. I am immediately transported.’