Meet the Master Perfumer
Born in Paris, Master Perfumer, Marie Salamagne had a childhood fascination for smells… of attics, bread, earth, putty… After her first degree in chemistry she began her journey to become a Master Perfumer. Marie associates fragrance with seduction and pleasure, prompting innate emotions and allowing us to travel somewhere new in an instant. Her motto is ‘open your mind and be curious.’
Where did you look for inspiration?
Jo Malone London took me on a journey to the home of the orientalist painter, Frederick Leighton. Leighton House is a hidden gem in Holland Park, London. It was built as an incredibly decadent showcase for his collection of more than 1,000 tiles collected in the Middle East and is filled with vibrant pattern. We looked at places like Marrakesh and Tangiers which were bohemian havens in the sixties for people such as the Rolling Stones to literary characters like Sebastian Flyte in Brideshead Revisited.
Jo Malone London wanted to draw on this inspiration but also bring a sense of modernity to the scent. We looked at what the bohemian spirit means today from new bohemian fashion with its eclectic prints, colourful pattern and drapery to a love of travel off the beaten track.
What do you think is special and current about the new bohemian mindset?
For me the new bohemian celebrates a state of mind without boundaries. They are free-thinkers who celebrate authenticity and intensity. A true sense of adventure is at the heart of the new bohemian spirit for me.
Mimosa & Cardamom is a floriental fragrance. How did you give it a Jo Malone London signature?
The classic floriental is made with florals like orange blossom, jasmine or rose. All are infused with an oriental richness and sophistication. They stand out because of their unique blend of warmth and sensuality. Jo Malone London wanted to update this idea with mimosa as the main ingredient which is innovative in itself. I was very inspired by this starting point.
I then wanted to create something bold and captivating around it. We chose the cool spice, cardamom, as it would add a new energy. I love its thrilling freshness and sparkling effect. We knew we had found an unusual yet perfect pairing; the vibration of the cardamom, an unexpected twist, with the sensual softness of mimosa. They are both radiant. Mimosa is the warm sun, cardamom the bright light.
Can you tell us more about the Mimosa absolute?
Mimosa is a symbol of elegance, simplicity, tenderness and friendship. Behind its apparent fragility, the flower captures a strong feminine energy. Mimosa absolute is the ultimate reference for green and floral, powdery long-lasting notes. A slight woody and honeyed note differentiates it from other origins.
I worked with a 100% natural mimosa extract, sourced from Provence. The young branches are harvested by hand and the extraction is carried out immediately within two to three hours on fresh flowers in Grasse and Tourrettes.
Mimosa & Cardamom is infused with sensuality and much of this comes from the mimosa itself, an unusual powdery and neyed floral that perfectly captures the bohemian character.