Fragrance du Bois – oud, rethought in Paris

Fragrance du Bois was founded in Paris in 2013. Its founder and creative director, Jonnie Swarbrick, comes from packaging, print and brand identity – so design was part of the idea from day one, not an afterthought. The name itself, "scent of wood", points to the material at the heart of the house: oud, the dark, resinous wood of the Aquilaria tree. Because the resin forms in only a few wild trees and every Aquilaria species has been CITES-protected since 2004, Fragrance du Bois works with oud from its own CITES-certified plantations.

Rather than relying on one in-house nose, Fragrance du Bois works with a circle of perfumers: Nanako Ogi created Sirène, Gaël Montero composed Cavort and Tropiques, Shadi Samra Lovers and Siberian Rose, and Kevin Mathys Voyage à Paris. Minuit et Demi was made by Stéphane Bengana together with influencer Demi Rawling. Again and again, oud meets partners you would never expect – cherry and incense in Sirène, rum and honey in Voyage à Paris, coffee and caramel in Minuit et Demi.

We love how Fragrance du Bois lifts the weight off oud and lets it turn joyful, fruity or creamy – while keeping its dark core. Tropiques smells of holidays, Santal Complet of soft sandalwood, Siberian Rose of a rose you won't forget in a hurry.