This is one of my favourite photos of Monsieur.

It seems as if teeny perfumers are cropping up everywhere - this latest one, “The Scent of Departure”, has the hook of smelling like a city. All I smell from this is a marketing ploy.  If London smells like bergamot and freesia I’ll make tea from my sweaty ballet slippers. I adore the smell of London, and it does have a very distinct smell - but it’s not freesia. London smells of creosote, dank mildew, and something smouldering (maybe a rat?) on the third rail of Liecester Square tube stop. Slightly salty and slightly rotten (the Thames), ashes of Silk Cut cigarettes, with an undertone of coal if it’s a cold night. I’d actually buy that perfume, I love London that much.

The sense of smell is hardwired into our memories. That’s why I’m such a hoarder of perfume - I only ever buy it if I’m on holiday or in a particularly good headspace. I am also really careful with the perfume I wear when having a good time, as I’ll forever associate the scent with feelings or ideas.  I’m about as sensitive to smell as I am to colour (Read: extremely sensitive - I don’t have to shop with swatches, I’m *that* good with colour), and will pick my perfume daily depending on where my mood is, and where I want it to be in an hour.

So, if anyone knows of a perfume that actually smells like London… please let me know. the only one close I’ve come to is the Serge Lutens tuberose from my bestie for my birthday. It’s top note is creosote.