Spring 22
In late spring the elder tree blooms. Umbels of delicate, cloud-like flowers, that speckle the hedgerows and perfume the lanes with something sweet, green, lightly floral and sharp.
This season we have collaborated with Michelin-starred chef Skye Gyngell to create our most culinary fragrance yet: Spring 22.
In the summer of 2021 we visited Skye’s restaurant, Spring in Somerset House. Against the delicious olfactory backdrop of her kitchen, we discussed the shared artistry of a chef and nose; how each works to create a lively interplay between the finest natural ingredients.
We talked with Skye about our concept for last year’s fragrance - the freshness of a springtime greenhouse - from which we were eager to bring forward the light, floral notes, while building upon the culinary elements of basil and pink peppercorn.
Skye’s thoughts turned at once to two ingredients: elderflower, the floral embodiment of soft Maytime breezes; and green gooseberry for its sharp and bittersweet tang which, though belonging to the month of July, seems to encapsulate those first tender shoots of March.
Intrigued by the combination, we readily accepted the challenge. We were aware, however, that while in the kitchen, gooseberry ice cream is gooseberry ice cream, things can be more complicated in natural perfumery. Gooseberry oil cannot be extracted directly, and elderflower absolute is deep and musky, evoking hay and tobacco - far removed from those delicate, lacey umbels. Undeterred, Elodie set to work.
First to the gooseberry. Having experimented with several ingredients, she landed upon blackcurrant bud. Though it did resemble plump, juicy gooseberry, it lacked the sharp, almost sour facet we were searching for. Sadly we had to let it go.
With the gooseberry proving elusive, Elodie moved onto the elderflower. Starting from a base of elderflower absolute, she added peppermint and lime. These enhanced the absolute, bringing a zest and lightness to its opening. We were close, but not quite there.
After weeks of trials, Elodie made one final alteration: buchu, a diminutive plant native to the lower elevation mountains of western South Africa. The result was staggering. At once, the buchu brought to life the elderflower and even conjured our elusive gooseberry. Unexpected, but clear as day. Skye’s vision realised - an elderflower and gooseberry accord at the heart of our Spring fragrance, amidst the citrus notes, quiet florals, greens and sparkling pink peppercorn.
Received mine. Absolutely beautiful. The transition between the notes is gorgeous and lasted all day. Also, your packaging is amazing
Mine arrived yesterday…so exciting to open it be bathed in beauty. I love it! Thank you Ffern
It is the best one yet since I joined the ledger, its amazing how it changes throughout the day, I get the orange peel coming through after its been on a while which is just invigorating and invokes wishful thinking of the long sunny days that are impending.
I absolutely love the way the Spring 22 fragrance develops into an ethereal, delicate and light breeze through sun rays.
My son just introduced me to you and your spring 22 fragrance. I was absolutely enthralled with it. I haven’t felt that way about a scent in over 15 years when I first smell the child perfume oil. Great work.
Your spring did not disappoint! Quiet different from your fall and winter, this is my first spring from you. But I am instantly in love. There couldn’t be a more perfect spring scent. Thank you for being such a great company. Love the package with the scent note insert. Thank you!
My bottle arrived in California today! I know it’s a few days before the equinox but I didn’t want to (couldn’t) wait to open the package. It is a lovely fragrance - very fresh and light
I LOVE it! I loved it instantly. One spray from the sample bottle and I was smitten. And I followed the advice and sprayed it onto the back of my neck and it was a revelation! And so lovely this month to have collaborated with Skye. I love the story of the perfume’s evolution.
I absolutely love it! It's the kind of perfume I'd like to wear for the rest of my life but am painfully aware that once it's gone, it's gone!
I just received it- have no idea how anxiously I was awaiting it. It smells divine! Just like spring should smell. So gorgeous & elegant
OMG my Spring bottle from @ffern.co arrived and I am 100% obsessed. Winter was wonderful but this one is so interesting. It’s spicy, citrusy, bitter and lovely! I keep smelling my wrist like some weirdo, thank god I work from home.
I love Spring and that Ffern have embraced the most gorgeous tree for their new fragrance. Sambucus Nigra - elderflower, the perfect Mother’s Day present.
Loving this straight away! I love the floral notes. Gooseberry and elderflower straight away! Warmed by tobacco notes. Complex and uplifting. Somehow it reminds me of chewing on liquorice root as a child
I opened my sample of this season's perfume and I am overwhelmed with how beautiful this scent is. It is a master piece and I am in love! Already I feel a slight panic at the thought of approaching the last few sprays of this wonderful perfume.
Committed to producing small-batch, quality fragrances, the brand will only ever produce one bottle for each of the names signed up – the ultimate exclusive fragrance experience. Be sure to join the waiting list. With craft, ingredients and creativity at the heart of Ffern, all we can say is expect the unexpected.
Many scents claim to be unique, but this small batch unisex fragrance made in Somerset really lives by that mantra. Alluring and truly something different, Ffern could be the future of fragrance.
It triggers off all sorts of olfactory memories, my mothers Eau de Cologne, crushed Lemon verbena leaves, my father’s homemade elderflower champagne and that peculiarly raw green smell that wafts around in Spring. Elodie has a truly remarkable nose.
I received the Ffern fragrance for this spring! I really love it and was pleasantly surprised! It's very fresh, natural, unisex, light ...... It smells so good that it makes me want to weep as it is the best smelling of all the perfumes I have bought over the years.
I was looking for a new inspiring scent and you provide that for me with all the high standards. I am so pleased with the philosophy, ethics and values that your brand represent.
Good feedback must be highlighted, so congratulations, incredible work.
I subscribe for my wife. She normally loves Chanel #5. However, she really likes the unusual (to her) earthy scents these fragrances provide and finds them intriguing. She also like that we can both wear them.
The Spring 22 fragrance has suited me; it has a subtle warmth which plays with bright and invigorating fresh green notes. Just like an early spring day
Thank you all at Ffern. So looking forward to receiving my new bottle for the summer . Great reviews from everyone … only wish I could give all my friends a bottle. Thank you again.
Each fragrance arrives with a complementary sample vial for you to try at home before deciding whether or not to keep the main bottle.
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