Over lockdown, when geographical movement was impossible, one route that could still offer some escape was fragrance. Scent has always had the ability to transport you away from the present reality. Whether its sweet nostalgia bringing you back to certain points of your life, or that magical alchemy of scents in just the right combination creating imagined worlds, fragrance can take you places – even if just for a fleeting moment.
Now, a new fragrance from MCM is here to propel you on a new scent journey. While its monogrammed luggage has been helping us travel in style for decades, the latest offering from the luxury label is taking us somewhere not bound by traditional limits of geography, reality, or physicality. “Emotion is the epicentre of all journeys and destinations,” says Dirk Schoenberger, MCM global creative officer. “For MCM, a brand with a strong travel heritage, we wanted to conceptualise our DNA of mobility through a fragrance that captures the essence of discovery – from sentiment to scent.”
MCM’s first ever fragrance is inspired by those feelings of wanderlust. The unisex scent features top notes of raspberry and apricot; heart notes of white peony, jasmine absolute, and violet leaf; and base notes of white moss, vanilla, ambrox super, and sandalwood – an artisanal composition that blends the virtual and natural worlds. Further cementing the theme of travel and freedom, the eau de parfum is housed in a bottle that pays tribute to one of MCM’s classic backpacks, complete with a top handle, studs, and its signature Cognac Visetos monogram.
To celebrate the launch of the scent, three creatives from the Dazed Beauty world have reinterpreted the concept of fragrance via their artistic mediums: hair, make-up, and nails. Known for her campy glamour aesthetic and use of abstract colourful paint, make-up artist Alice Dodds creates a bold and vibrant look that takes the warmth of scent’s ingredients and turns it up to the highest notch.
On nails is Lauren Michelle Pires who creates dreamy, yet always playful, work full of soft colours, delicate embellishments, and strange shapes. For her nail looks, she pushed the boundaries of form and structure for a texturised, 3D style. Meanwhile, hairstylist Adiam Habtezion creates a whimsical hair look, colourful and fun, perfect for free-spirits everywhere.
Photographing the interpretations of the creatives was Dazed Beauty Community member Tom Blesch. Working over Zoom, he captured the looks in his trademark low-fi yet polished, private blog from the early-00s, style. Head to the gallery above to check out the whole series.
The MCM fragrance is available to purchase here.
