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Inspired by : Calligraphy 1 March 2019

Our new series Inspired By looks at intriguing thought processes and awe-inspiring works of art that inspire, amuse, and encourage us. 

Elegant, timeless, graceful – the art of calligraphy brings decadent style to mind. Its ornate style brings heritage to mind though it has been a study in evolution. Often accompanied by art, especially in times gone by, calligraphy reveals a nuanced tale.

Blushing Oud, one of our three new candles, is a story of decadence and modernism, with its rich notes of oudh and roses. Romantic and nostalgic, it brings letter-writing to our mind, which is why we love the art of Calligraphy…

Onna sanjūrokkasen by Chobunsai Eishi & Katsushika Hokusai, 1801. Source. 

Variable Calligraphy by Dalibor Chatrny, 1969. Source.

Detail from the Shah Jahan Album, circ 1640-1650. Source. 

Lead image source

Our new series Inspired By looks at intriguing thought processes and awe-inspiring works of art that inspire, amuse, and encourage us. 

In his iconic work “A Line Made By Walking”, Richard Long sought to explore the act of walking and its effects on the land it was practised upon. While walking to and fro, he marked the ground with a line, imprinting it onto the grass yet still opening it up to the ravages of time. This dichotomy is what defines Land Art – and what we think of when thinking of our fine fragrance candle Moon Set.

Land Art first gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s as a response to ecological erosion. To make something beautiful on land, that may or may not exist a few years down the line, yet may affect the space around it… this act has a quality of contemplation to it.

The meditative Moon Set has been crafted for quieter moments, which is why we are so moved by Land Art. Here are a few of our favourite artworks, for your viewing pleasure.

Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty is one of the most well-recognized pieces of Land Art. Built from mud, salt crystals, basalt rocks, earth and water, it was transported to the northeastern part of the Great Salt Lake. At that time, the water level was uncharacteristically low. A few years later, the levels rose and the structure was submerged until 1999 when it emerged once again, changed by its time under the water.

Icy and Sot, street artists, turned to nature for their project Nature’s Reflection.

The Sahara desert became a canvas for D.A.S.T Arteam who created this piece of epic proportions in the 1990s. Meant to be enjoyed as an aerial view as well as walked through, it’s all about the interaction one has with one’s surroundings.

Sunset Circles by Richard Long

Lead image : Harmonize by Gerry Berry

Strong, earthy, flavourful. Though often lambasted for being too bland, Vanilla adds a sort of distinctive freshness and depth to a scent that makes it stand out.

Vanilla Planifolia (source)

Originating from Mexico, vanilla became popular when the Europeans reached America in the 17th century. First used to flavour food and as a common ingredient in medicines due to its taste & smell, vanilla has steadily become of the most recognizable scents across the world.

Though there are many strains, two, in particular, are preferred due to their distinctive aroma. Vanilla Planifolia grows in tropical climes such as Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America – this is often considered one of the best strains as it originally grew in Mexico but today, it’s not used as much as Vanilla Bourbon. Originating from Madagascar, this strain is similar to the Planifolia but due to the change in soil & temperatures, it’s slightly different.

The process of extracting vanilla is an intriguing one. The green beans harvested in June and August are scalded and dried for about six months and are ready for extraction in January and February. This process allows for the Vanillin, the molecule that gives the distinctive profile, to emerge.

Vanilla’s a key ingredient at Bombay Perfumery. Featured in our brand new fine fragrance Moon Set that has a rich olfactive family of amber, vanilla and patchouli, it acts as a balancing ingredient.

Lead Image by Ekrem Canli, source

Decadent, mysterious, luxurious – Oud is all that and much more. A highly revered ingredient commonly known as “Liquid Gold” in the fragrance world, it’s one of the headliners in our brand new fine fragrance candle, Blushing Oud.

The distinctive scent originates from the wood of the South East Asian agar tree. When the wood is affected by a particular type of mold, it produces a dark resin which, when extracted, is known as Oud. The super-rare ingredient is much in demand, for its scarcity (the very best oud comes from very old trees), as well as its particular scent which achieves the balance between sweet and deep.

Image Source Here

 Oud has been used for centuries in Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, mainly for religious and festive purposes, in an incense form. Medicinally, it has been used by Chinese practitioners whilst its oil has been used for perfume in Arabic countries.

Though there are a multitude of ways to extract the oil, today, it’s quite time- and cost-sensitive to do so. Perfumeries and incense makers prefer to use a synthetic version of oud, as compared to the all-natural one. For our Blushing Oud, we’ve used a blend of natural and synthetic Ouds to bring about a layer of complexity.

For our fine fragrance candle, the aim was to celebrate the ingredients like never before. We paired deep oud with romantic roses for a distinctive fragrance that evokes & is evocative of memories.

Fine fragrances, fine cocktails, what’s not to love!

We recently collaborated with Goyaa, a bold and experimental space in Goyaa, known for its modern and minimal approach to design, food and drinks. Their master mixologist, Mariki Sayles, who was last at Le Bernardin in New York, crafted a limited edition menu of 3 cocktails, inspired by our candles and perfumes.

From the 5th to the 8th of December 2018, guests could experience an elevated take on perfumery, as their senses of smell, taste and sight were stimulated.

Cocktail #1 was inspired by our fine fragrance candle, Blushing Oud. Decadent and heady, the candle has Rasperries, Roses and Oudh. Mariki created an interesting take on the candle with gin, red wine, raspberry, pink peppercorn and rose – sweet with a kick of heat!

Cocktail #2 was inspired by another one of our fine fragrance candles, Pondicherry Yellow. Highlighted by Turmeric, Coconut and Sandalwood, it brings to mind easygoing times spent in the company of loved ones. Mariki created a tropical take on it with rum, coconut, ginger, turmeric and cinnamon – we can just about hear those waves crashing into the shore!

Cocktail #3 was inspired by Moire, our narcotic women’s fragrance. With its contrasting ingredients of Tuberose and Leather, it’s a sensory experience like no other. Mariki crafted an intriguing cocktail of scotch, brandy, apricot, black cardamom & angostura bitters for a swwet yet strong take on Moire.

Recently, Paper Planes, the brand responsible for getting the world’s finest indie magazines to India, wrote in with a new initiative they were working on. The past few years have seen Paper Planes grow from a magazine subscription service to a design-led online space.

 For their very first product collaboration, they tied up with The We Exist Foundation, a Delhi-based not-for-profit organization that works towards the bettering of stray dogs’ lives. Inspired by the idea of good living, Paper Planes reached out to us to create a fine fragrance candle.

Crafted just in time for the festive season, the mantra of this fine fragrance candle goes beyond spreading warmth and good vibes. Part of the proceeds from the sale of each candle contribute to a sterilisation drive for stray dogs. India is home to about 30 million stray dogs who face a lot of threats and fears – from abusive treatment to fights with one other – along with welfare problems like malnutrition, disease, and injury from road accidents. A sterilisation drive would prevent thousands of pups from being born on the streets in the future.

For a limited time period, the candle is available for purchase on Paper Planes’ website – do check it out here!

Heady, decadent, playful, mysterious – Jasmine is all that and much more. Known as the “King of Oils” because of its slightly more masculine quality among floral oils, Jasmine originates in the east and its oils have been used for centuries.

Recently, our founder, Manan Gandhi, visited the Jasmine fields in South India just in time for harvesting. Here’s a quick look at his Field Notes.

Broadly speaking, we use two variants of Jasmine in perfumery; the Jasmin Grandiflorum and the Jasmin Sambac.

Available in India and Egypt, the Jasmin Grandiflorum is slightly distinctive because of the slight pink shade in the petal.

In India, it grows around Coimbatore and its peak season is August to December. Usually picked when they have fully bloomed on the plant, the flowers are collected bright and early in the morning and then shifted to local collection points close to the field.

After this, they are transported immediately to the factory for processing as they need to processed within a few hours of their picking.

The flowers are then loaded into large extractors from where we derive a solid “concrete” which will eventually be used for fragrances. Further processed to the “Absolute” which is a liquid that is used in fragrances.

The Jasmin Sambac, on the other hand, is mainly used for decoration. Available only in India, it’s known as “Malli Poo” in South India where it mostly grows around Madurai.

The flowers here are picked when they are closed buds as compared to the Jasmin Grandiflorum as these flowers will fall off the plant once they have fully bloomed. Once again, they are collected early in the morning and transported to local flower markets – like a mini flower stock exchange! – where they’re auctioned. Prices tend to be highest in the mornings and on festival days.

Factories purchase flowers from the auctions and transport them to their spaces for quick processing. Buds are laid out for “blooming” so once they open up, they can be processed. Once again, a “concrete” is extracted at first, and then the”absolute” for fragrances.

Inspired by travels near & far, the Bombay Perfumery Fine Fragrance Candles walk down the same path that our perfumes set out on. Modern in aesthetic, yet Indian at heart, the candles are inspired by fine ingredients and crafted to tell stories.

Pondicherry Yellow, our most vibrant candle of the three, is inspired by the mundane-turned-extraordinary Turmeric. Evocative of a tropical vibe, the candle transports one to lazy afternoons spent in shaded verandahs. Balanced by ginger, hazelnut, coconut milk & sandalwood, among others, the candle would be perfect lit during informal dinner parties.

If there ever was a phrase to describe Blushing Oud, it would have to ‘A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream’. The poetic candle is a mix of mystery and romance, with decadent oud and timeless roses taking centrestage, and is taken to another level with precious saffron, raspberries, myrhh and dry woods.

Inspired by contemplation, Moon Set is made for quieter times. Conversations between freesia and patchouli, vanilla and amber set the tone for this quiet yet assertive fine fragrance candle.

Just like our perfumes, our fine fragrance candles are led by our ethos of shining a light on Indian ingredients. Recently we launched 3 new candles, Pondicherry Yellow, evoking a tropical haven, Moon Set, with a hint of romance, and Blushing Oud, that candle that brings decadence to mind.

We’ve worked with renowned French perfumers to create one-of-their-kind fragrances for these candles. Crafted from soy wax, they have a cleaner burning, devoid of toxins and carcinogens which are often found in paraffin candles.

To ensure you receive the very best out of your fine fragrance candle, here are a few tips & tricks

1. On first use, do burn it for about 3 hours. This will ensure that the top layer of wax completely melts and you get an even burning the next time you light it.
2. Trimming the wick is very important – the longer the wick, the faster the candle burns. Every time you light the candle, trim it to ¼ inch to minimize mushrooming & soot. Should any black smoke appear after this, snuff it out and re-trim the wick.
3. After trimming the wick, recentering it is also important. After you blow out the candle, adjust the wick to the centre of the candle when the wax is still molten. This will prevent a layer of soot being formed on the glass.
4. Always keep the candle burning within sight! Take care to not burn it in close proximity to anything that can catch fire.
5. Allow the candle to completely cool before relighting.
6. Don’t let the candle burn for more than 3 hours every time, after that first time.
7. Keep away from children, pets, curtains and drafts.
8. The lid is very important – when you’ve lit the candle, place it on the lid so as to protect the surface. After snuffing it out, cover the candle with the lid to prevent discolouration.To really let the fragrance consume a room, light it for atleast an hour – this also helps when you’re prepping for guests at home!

Like perfumery, architecture has the transformative power to propel one to the future or remind one of a time gone by. In our latest series, we’ve decoded the link between our fragrances to architectural styles that reflect them the most.

Lighthearted and fresh, our Seven Islands fragrance is inspired by the nature of Mumbai, where Bombay Perfumery is from. Charming and distinctive, Bombay Art Deco is also influenced by the nature of the city – bright colours, intricate details & intriguing craftsmanship.

Image Source 

The 1930s saw a rush of affluence in Mumbai. Traders had a chance to travel the world and bring back modern ideas – and Art Deco was one of them. Majorly located around the Oval Maidan, today, the area is known for its diverse architecture from imposing Victorian Neo-Gothic buildings on one side and whimsical Art Deco buildings on the other.

Led by its belief of industrial modernity, Mumbai Art Deco is characterised by its nautical features such as porthole windows and observatory towers & rounded corners that make the design look streamlined and futuristic.

Art Deco is all about a modern take on playfulness – reflecting Mumbai through design. Similarly, Seven Islands, with its fruity and fresh concoction of vanilla, apricot and grapefruit, among others, creates a fragrance that’s reminiscent of standing right on Marine Drive at the onset of the monsoons.  

Lead Image Source

Like perfumery, architecture has the transformative power to propel one to the future or remind one of a time gone by. In our latest series, we’ve decoded the link between our fragrances to architectural styles that reflect them the most.

Airy & open, our men’s fragrance Les Cayes is named after the Haitian town from where our vetiver is sourced from. The laidback fragrance has an undertone of a tropical island – think of nature & concrete living harmoniously, side by side.

Luis Barragan’s emotional landscape architecture is almost simplistic in the way he treats concrete.  Barragan is known for crafting a beautiful juxtaposition with the outdoors – building meets sky in a rather un-pretentious manner.

Image Source

Earthiness and freshness define Les Cayes with its citrus & vetiver highlights. The maximal citrus is balanced by minimal vetiver, much like how Barragan’s concrete structures are quietened down with the inclusion of nature.

Lead image by Šarūnas Burdulis

Spicy, woody, floral, fruity – perfume has the power to transform & transport. A beautiful mix of art and science, the world of perfumery is exciting and confusing all at the same time. To make sense of it, we’ve prepped a primer – read on below.

On the Power of Fragrance
No other sense is as evocative of memories and places as scent. A whiff of a citrusy fragrance might remind you of your favourite summer vacation, for instance. The olfactory system is closely linked to the amygdala or the emotional center of the brain which makes fragrances so alluring – it’s not just pleasant smells one is looking for but also meaningful scents.

Understanding ingredients & olfactive families that work for you
Choosing a fragrance has a lot to do with olfactive memories. Any time a fragrance makes a positive olfactive impact on you, you’re more likely to look for the same in other brands as well. However, that’s not to say that your preferences may stay the same as you grow older. Often, we can reject our past favourites too.

The easiest way to explore a different direction but not break out radically is to look for ingredients you like paired with other slightly contrasting ingredients. For instance, if you prefer the freshness of citrus, try it with a woody aspect. The top & heart notes will be light & fresh while the base note will be mature & soft.

There are 8 overarching categories that often overlap
Oriental, Spicy, Woody, Floral, Aquatic, Green, Fruity and Citrus
The first three can be quite mysterious while the rest are quite fresh & sharp.

Take your time buying a fragrance
Often, it’s easy to pick up a fragrance in a duty-free as you liked the way it smells instinctively. However, it could react differently with your physiology or you may not be the biggest fans of the heart or base notes that will emerge once the top notes die down.

The best way to explore fragrances is to buy samplers so you may have the chance to spray it on your skin directly and observe how it changes during the day.