Jo Malone Silver Birch & Lavender photo courtesy of Jo Malone
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago. ~ A Christmas Carol (1871), Christina Rossetti
As the winter solstice rapidly approaches, those of us in the Northern Hemisphere bundle up, hunker down and seek reasons to celebrate light in a time of darkness; we tend to envelop ourselves in the trappings of hygge whenever possible. Our comfort rituals include intimate gatherings with dear friends, a blazing hearth, deeply resinous fragrances, warming potables that banish invernal shivers (mulled wine, warm spiced kir, all manner of hot toddies, cocoa, tea); fuzzy socks, blankets, sweaters, scarves, mittens and shawls. These are each golden moments in time – and I found myself pondering the silvery aspects as well: which of the newer fragrances depicted that scintilla of silver fit for the solstice? I didn’t have far to look.
Jo Malone Silver Birch & Lavender photo courtesy of Jo Malone
Jo Malone Silver Birch & Lavender is easy to love, from its piquant introduction heralded by grapefruit rind (which smells both citric and floral) to exquisite lavender which showcases all of its comely visages (flowery, herbal, woody, fruity, coumarinic) and the delicate drydown of a birch accord (as opposed to birch tar, which is a radically different material altogether and is employed in the perfumer’s evocation of leather) with subtly caramelic oaken undertones.
Photo of Yann Vasnier (from the Jo Malone Silver Birch & Lavender video)
It possesses a silken quality which is understated and complete in the way that a length of silk charmeuse is: embellishment, furbelows and sequins are unnecessary because the material speaks for itself. To adorn the fragrance further would be to render it disservice. Silver Birch and Lavender personifies Coco Chanel’s opinion that simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance – pristine in an argentine fashion, all shimmer and sleek freshness. A well-tailored item retains its value, and in the skilled hands of senior perfumer Yann Vasnier of Givaudan, this cologne not only mirrors the crispness of the season, it will work perfectly well year ‘round: tonic in spring, refreshing in summer, and elegiac in the autumn.
Jo Malone Silver Birch & Lavender photo courtesy of Jo Malone
I find Jo Malone Silver Birch & Lavender suitable for all occasions and genders, equally at home in a tuxedo or workout gear. Its ability to make one feel perfectly groomed is an effortless pleasure for every family member, no matter their age; its appeal is that universal. As such, it’s a wonderful present, especially for those who aren’t seeking beast sillage and prefer to wear their favorite scent as opposed to having it wear them. It’s not an insult to be inobtrusive – it can be seen to be a courtesy and a kindness at times, and wearing this fragrance lends one a certain air of well-bred grace. Notes: grapefruit, lavender, silver birch accord, roasted oak
Tester bottle generously provided by Jo Malone London – many thanks! My entire family adores it. My nose is my own…
~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor
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