ånd Fragrance, With An Added, Better, Kinder and Caring Facet

Once upon a time, there was a “nascent concept” idea, trend, and field that was in its very early stages of development, just beginning to exist, formed within the world of perfumery. Then it was something new, budding, or emerging, suggesting fragility but holding promise for growth and significance. This was in the 1980s, and was a countermovement to the prevailing mass-market “powerhouse” scents, which were at the time dominant. Described by its pioneers as a return to artisanal, original, high-quality, and exclusive fragrance creation, it changed the fragrance world forever. These niche scents were started initially by a handful of names; the market is now booming with hundreds, if not thousands, growing rapidly as consumers seek unique scents beyond mainstream options. Meet one of the players in the field, ånd fragrance who added a better facet to his scented world. Find out more in, ånd Fragrance, With An Added, Better, Kinder and Caring Facet

There was a young man who, from an early age, loved scent. He went on to make it his life’s work, firstly at the company Lush, where he developed several best-selling scents as part of the Gorilla Perfumes line. He then went on to launch ånd fragrance in 2020.

The collection contains ten fragrances, each wonderful as a singular fragrance, yet each comes with a story that is greener, cleaner and far more caring than most brands.

Take, for example, Mad available as an EDP, EDT, candle and solid perfume. A vanilla Bergamot and Buchu blend. As well as a perfume description, the house describes where the ingredients come from and why they choose them. So, for Mad, they explain

Madagascar’s threatened forests are home to some of the most intoxicating plants in the world, including vanilla.
Naked vanilla packed with luxurious orchid warmth. Blended with the best Madagascar has to offer, including Ylang Ylang oil, Vetiver, Violet, Musk, Jasmine and Cloves. Think of this as an ecosystem in a bottle; a hug from Mother Earth.

The House then goes on to explain

Vanilla is a sweet answer to livelihood problems and to deforestation. Its value is almost at an all-time high. So, profits, when used with integrity, can be used to support essential tropical forestry programmes. Sadly, the island itself has one of the world’s highest rates of deforestation. But simply ‘stopping’ won’t help. It won’t provide an income for people or improve their long-term prospects. But by developing and distributing this fragrance, we work with Madagascar’s threatened communities to build social, economic and ecological resilience.

Then meet Frånk a Frankincense, Myrrh and Lemon scent. Biblical Frankincense, here is added to with equally biblical Myrrh, and its fruity facet is lifted with the addition of bright Lemon. It is interesting where the Frankinscence these use comes from

The House says

The precious golden tears of resin from the frankincense tree have been lovingly harvested by at least 20 generations of families who control the Marda Moge. More recently, though, a deadly combination of drought and economic pressures has pushed trees to the edge of extinction. By sourcing our frankincense directly from communities like the Marda Moge, we can put money directly back into developing nursery sites and to work with the tragically displaced communities to support their fragile livelihoods.

At this time of year, woody-green fragrances feel uplifting and modern, and the house has a delicious woody green scent called Båre.

A meeting of Western Red Cedar, Shore Pine, Douglas Fir, and Rosewood. This is a fragrance that encapsulates the living heart of the forest with the lingering and enigmatic essence of the Great Bear Rainforest, where woods meet evergreens. The ethical line with this scent includes the protection of Conifer trees.

The protection and maintenance of the Great Bear Rainforest® remains one of the greatest environmental achievements in Canada’s history. It is from this incredible and precious ecosystem that we source our rare and wonderful conifer tree essential oils. They are carefully selected, using only branches and needles, so as to protect the trees themselves.

The sustainable income-generation helps restore the balance and builds a positive connection between consumers and Indigenous Peoples of the Great Bear Rainforest®. Who, since colonisation, have suffered many hardships.

The newest Scent to the house is Fayre; a celebration of the great British tradition of outdoor activities, which includes stalls with shopping and entertainment. Fayre is, of course, an archaic spelling of fair. Some of the oldest of these include Hereford May Fair: Claiming over 900 years, it’s recognised as Britain’s oldest surviving chartered fair. Stourbridge Fair: Once medieval Europe’s largest, authorised by charter in 1199, although it ended in 1933, it has seen revivals. Then there is St Albans Market, a street market with a 9th/10th-century origin, recognised by a royal charter in 1198, making it a very old chartered market. Hull Fair, a massive, ancient travelling fair from the 13th century, is noted as Europe’s largest and oldest travelling fair. Or even Bartholomew Fair, a major London fair granted a charter in 1133, running until 1855. There is, as of 2020, a folk archive to help researchers artist writer and performers immersce themsleve in folk culture.

So what do they have in common? The people would have crossed every social stream, the tents covered in silks or skins, wood carts, dogs being bated, women’s fashions being shown off, almost competed; all of the town came to the event, all of life met at the fayre. Then there was the array of sights, sounds, and, of course, smells.  

And it is the very energy this new fragrance explores. Inspired by the work of Lally MacBeth  (Author of the Lost Folk) and on a special Scent kit journey

Think of the rich delights of a crunchy toffee apple on a cold day at the fayre, where scented, warming woodfires rise about the noise and colour. This idea melds with warming gingerbread, a nod towards hoot boozy apple brandy mixed with creamy Vanilla. The soft wood smoke, cooked fruits, Vanilla and Ginger, meld in a profusion of rich layers of deliciousness.

The house explains

Fåyre is a fragrance about closeness, friendship, and shared joy whoever you are—hands warmed by sugared treats, the hum of crowds, the glow of winter evenings. Wear a piece of modern folklore on your skin.

For every product, there is a theory of behaviour at the brand; an underlying ethical stance. The perfumes are described as handmade in Britain, cruelty-free, and vegan, using hand-sourced and hand-formulated pure essential oils and essences. They are actively addressing social justice by standing in solidarity with indigenous communities and those protecting precious ecosystems. Partnering with communities that protect their local forests and sourcing ingredients regeneratively. They hand-source and hand-formulate pure essential oils and essences. These are products with a conscience.

.Find out all about the perfumes and full offering here at andfragrance.com

If you enjoyed reading ånd Fragrance, With An Added, Better, Kinder and Caring Facet, then why not read Florish Posthumously here

.Cent Magazine London. Luxury Mindset