Independent London-based fragrance house Electimuss is up to its esoteric tricks again and has conjured up a new scent, Astrum Nova. Part of its Lustrous Collection, which centres around the Roman gods and their relationship with the stars (we told you it was niche), this newest addition is about the link between the earth and the sky — or, as the perfume house puts it, “the joy of nature reimagined through a cosmic lens”.
When it comes to bottling that idea, Electimuss’ perfumer David Chieze has combined woody notes with fruity ones to embody the earthly aspect of the fragrance (think: bergamot, lemon and mandarin), set against oud, oakmoss and musk, which offer that precious and elevated feeling — i.e. the celestial part. All of that is warmed up with tonka, vanilla and ambertonic. The result? A scent that sits somewhere between sensual, joyous and radiant.
The use of oud here is also a special one. As Chieze explains: “This composition is an exploration of a different facet of oud. It has been expressed before through its woody, spicy and animalic aspects. But, to me, there is also a fruity facet in it, that, if dressed properly, makes it shine in another way.” It’s for this reason that the mango stands out so well. “It blends with this aspect of the oud,” the perfumer says. And uniting the ingredients? The “fruity and animalic” elements of osmanthus.
For Electimuss’ co-founder, Luke Granger, Astrum Nova perfectly underpins the connection between earth and cosmos that uniquely marks his brand. “It draws on the idea of astro-gardening, a forgotten agricultural practice where stars guided the planting cycles of ancient civilisations,” he says. More widely, though, he believes the perfume also marks the direction in which the market is headed. “I believe we’ll see a growing shift towards natural extractions,” Granger continues. “Fruits, nuts, and botanicals rendered more authentically than ever before.”
Shop Astrum Nova here.
- WriterScarlett Coughlan
