Flip through the 5 pages of notes below to see how things got started for the fresh concept, moving from initial ideas to final framework, I'll meet you down below to explain a bit more.
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At the start, there were so many ideas to sift through, I decided it was best to let my brain go for a run and see where it ended up by the end, choosing to progress via process of elimination. I also let the ingredients start to categorise themselves, and that lent itself to the hypothetic fragrance it would have. By the end, I had settled on an Irish inspiration, narrowing down which elements I could use. Marshmallow for its Irish significance and medicinal and culinary use, this would be my "silk" lining. Silver birch is also native to Ireland, and has a whole host of medicinal uses, which would add to the sentiment of the collection. This concept was going to focus on healing and soothing, and I was thinking of something visually distinct and fluid for the visuals, with strong natural colours.
For this collection I was taking inspiration from Serendipity for its visuals and mood, but Anahata for its colours. While I don’t think Anahata had complex visuals, that emerald color green was the depth I had in mind for this idea. I got to try the Serendipity collection, and I certainly wouldn’t describe it as fresh, but I think visually Rituals hasn’t really ever made a collection as beautiful and strong as this one. I haven’t had the chance to actually try Anahata myself, but past customers have made it clear this collection was the Brad Pitt of the old fragrances, adored by many, missed by all.
I wanted to keep the tones of this category really earthy, but I didn’t know for sure if I was going to keep the colours dark and muted or lighter and contrasted. I also really wanted to focus on the texture, something marbled and fluid like malachite or marble, or even craggled like tree bark. I love fresh fragrances, I like woody and earthy smells. These types of fragrances always have a powerful note and an “after-taste”, the smell you get at the end, but fresh fragrances always have a “silk” layer. For lack of a better description, this silk layer is the secondary note you get when you smell a fresh fragrance, right from the start. In my mind, I always visualise it as the silk or satin lining of beautiful dress, the dress itself catches your eye and take you aback, but the lining is what makes it so comfortable to wear. I wanted to ensure that the visuals I use for this idea incorporated something that looked like that silk lining, hence the satin fabric.
