Jo Malone London – Blossoms – Frangipani Flower Cologne via Jo Malone ©

            

“We used a beautiful headspace to represent the frangipani, as we wanted to stay close to its natural scent… creamy and sweet with a solar effect – it’s also very exotic, so the moment you smell the fragrance, you’re taken on a journey.” – Céline Roux, Head of Global Product Development

Church at Kaoa'au, Kohala, Hawai'i Island – Painting Copyright © Herb Kawainui Kãne

Several years ago, in late August, I took my first trip to the Big Island of Hawaii. From my previous experiences in tropical climes I fully expected to run into a suffocating wall of humidity and heat the moment I stepped off the plane.

 "By the Sea in Hawaii" – Photo Copyright © 2017 by Gail Gross

Happily I was surprised, relieved and enchanted by the atmosphere of the Big Island. Instead of sweltering, heavy tropical air I was greeted with buoyant, light warmth, a zephyr that carried in its breezy arms the most incredible scent of flowers, fruits and confections.

 Plumeria Blossoms via Pixabay ©

I quickly discovered that the majority of the scents floating on the sea air of Kona were generated by the various colored blossoms of plumeria  (AKA frangipani), the small trees that lined the highways and graced private gardens and public landscaping all over the island of Hawaii.  Fast forward to late March 2019. This week, with my first breath of Jo Malone Frangipani Flower Cologne, I've taken another journey, enjoying once again, the buoyant freshness of the Big Island.

           

On The Veranda – Painting Copyright © Herb Kawainui Kãne

Many tropical floral and fruity perfumes, like my pre-Hawaiian experiences in the tropics, are often laden with thick, rich white flowers, heavy on the indole and designed to be be big, blousy, voluptuous and seductive. But with Frangipani Flower, Jo Malone's Head of Global Product Development  Céline Roux and Master Perfumer Marie Salamagne (who also is the nose for this year’s Bronze Wood & Leather) conjured the perfect tropical fragrance, naturally light and purposefully designed to recreate the invigorating, pleasant complexity of island aether.

Jo Malone Frangipani Flower Cologne Bottle – Photo Collage Copyright © 2019 by Gail Gross

“Like the flower itself, the scent is open and joyful. It’s also very addictive. You fall deeper and deeper into it as the fragrance unfolds – it’s something you want to keep going back to.”  – Marie Salamagne, Master Perfumer

Jo Malone Frangipani Flower Cologne opens like a cool morning in the tropics. As the sun rises, an exquisite and careful use of sweetened citrus gives the impression of a very bright and effervescent iced lemon fizz. This initial suggestion of tartness in Jo Malone Frangipani Flower is never enough to pucker but remains fresh and soft, lifting and surrounding the island plumeria blossoms with sighs of jasmine, nuances of verdant buds and hints of osmanthus.  As the iced lemon effects melt away, I find myself falling into the warm, moist heart of Jo Malone Frangipani Flower.

Lei Sellers – Painting Copyright © Herb Kawainui Kãne

Leis of plumaria and pikake waft radiant floral perfumes, luminous fruits and translucent whispers of green.  Slowly, gradually, the floral garlands become rounder, ripening into juicy olfactory impressions of warm peaches garnished with ylang ylang flowers. After several hours of this sweet afternoon light, Jo Malone Frangipani Flower settles into a sunset of smooth, creamy sandalwood refreshed by a kiss of lemon and caressed by sea breezes and jasmine tea.

Hawaiian Sunset- Photo Copyright © 2017 by Gail Gross

In addition to luminous qualities of a tropical floral bouquet, Jo Malone Frangipani Flower offers an elegant and distinctly British character, a reflection, perhaps, of the historic influence of the gardens of British Isles on the lush landscapes of the Hawaiian Islands. Notes: Frangipani (plumeria), lemon, fresh air, jasmine, aquatic notes, ylang ylang and sandalwood.

Disclaimer:  I would like to thank Jo Malone for my cherished bottle of Frangipani Flower Cologne.  My opinions are my own.

Gail Gross – Senior Editor                                         

Jo Malone Frangipani Flower Cologne is available for a limited time at jomalone.com and Jo Malone London boutiques nationwide from early April 2019. 30ml – $72 Frangipani Flower Cologne 100ml – $140

Follow us on Instagram: @cafleurebon, @azarsmith7 and @JoMaloneLondon,  @celine_roux_alezais, @mariesalamagne