Beautiful Borsalino

With its frilly purple-yellow petals, powdery aroma and orchid-like silhouette, the iris plant has long conveyed a kind of stately elegance. In medieval France, the iris flower could be seen on coins and the French royal family’s coat of arms, representing purity and wisdom. During the Heian period in Japan, the iris was thought to ward off bad spirits; kimonos worn by the upper classes would be decorated with embroidery of the delicate flower. In more recent years, iris has become a popular perfume ingredient, rounding out potentially harsh notes with its pillowy sweetness. This is especially true for men’s fragrances, where the iris’s leathery, earthy undertones aren’t alienating in the same way that more powerful florals like rose might.

For a house like Borsalino, which launched its debut perfume Black Iris earlier this year, the flower is a fitting choice. Elegant, beautiful, and steeped in history, the flower is a reflection of Borsalino’s centuries of Italian craftsmanship. Best known for their impeccably crafted fedoras and Panama hats, the brand celebrated the launch of Black Iris just outside their London flagship in Burlington Arcade, in collaboration with The Fragrance Shop. 

Echoing the bergamot-forward opening of the scent, the table was citrus fruit; bottles of Black Iris perched between lavish candleabras. Introduced by Arthur Cukier, who developed the fragrance alongside perfumer Nicolas Bonneville, Cukier explained his intention to create a niche-style perfume at a price that won’t make you wince. And Black Iris certainly meets the bill: a zesty citrus and cardamom opening gives way to a lovely, generous iris at the heart. Carrot seed adds a touch of bitterness before a thrumming, resonant amberwood finale.

It’s rare that a fragrance expresses the concept of a brand so well: reasonably priced, supremely charming and gender neutral. Rumour has it that there are more Borsalino fragrances in the works, but until then, Black Iris is a beautiful place to start.

Black Iris is available on The Fragrance Shop