Byredo Parfums recently introduced Black Saffron, a fragrant homage to the precious spice derived from the dried stigmas of the Saffron Crocus. Saffron has been cultivated for more than 3500 years and remains one of the world's costliest substances. With its beautiful, intense golden-orange color and hay-like scent it has been used as a seasoning, dye, medicine and fragrance. The use of saffron as a sexual stimulant dates back to Biblical times when the Egyptians used saffron in scents and body washes for the very wealthy, including Queen Cleopatra. Saffron was brought to Kashmir by the Persians in the 11th/12th century AD and its use and cultivation spread quickly throughout the country.
"Saffron has always been a part of my Indian upbringing both in smell, taste and color. It is holy to all Hindus, is the color of Buddhist robes and has become a symbol for India. BYREDO's 'Black Saffron' is a fragrance inspired by this very idea of sublime unity. I have grown to understand more about my heritage and this fragrance is very much about that process." – Ben Gorham, Founder and Creative Director of BYREDO
100ml/$220
Top: Pomelo, Saffron, Juniper Berry
Heart: Black Violet, Accord Cuir, Cristal Rose
Base: Blond Woods, Raspberry, Vetiver
The perfumer for Black Saffron is Jerome Epinette
Black Saffron is available in the USA at Barneys NY and online
–Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief
via Byredo parfums