Fragrance Is My Specialist Subject—These New Perfumes Will Be Future Icons

Key notes: Bergamot, almond, rose, iris, vanilla, tonka bean, musk

First up is the winter fragrance that I can't stop reaching for. You may be familiar with Guerlain's original Shalimar scent (it's an icon), but to celebrate its 100th anniversary, the brand has released Shalimar L'Essence, a captivating take on the OG perfume that is heightened by notes of creamy vanilla. I wore this to dinner the other night, and had about five friends ask me what fragrance it was. It's a sensual, sophisticated gourmand scent, with a warm, woody undertone that makes it feel incredibly elevated.

Key notes: Passionfruit, tobacco leaf, oud

I don't think I've ever been so excited to talk about an oud fragrance before. I'll be honest, oud perfumes are not normally my thing, but I will make an exception for D&G's latest creation. Combining the rich, heady notes of oud with sweet, tangy bursts of passionfruit, this is quite simply a work of art. It has an enchanting, warm, almost chocolatey aroma that makes me want to smell it again and again (and again). I just know that this is going to be a huge hit this winter.

Key notes: Ylang-ylang, Damascus rose, jasmine

Solid perfumes are such a great way of topping your scent up on the go, and this season, Dior has released what can only be described as the chicest solid perfume of all time. Available in the iconic J’adore fragrance (an addictive blend of white florals) this solid iteration is infused with gold particles, highlighting the skin as the scent unfurls.

Key notes: Iso E Super

Possibly one of the most famous skin scents of all time, Molecule 01 captured the attention of every editor when it launched, thanks to its unique composition, which focuses around a single molecule, called Iso E Super. To mark the brand's 20th anniversary, Escentric Molecules has released its largest fragrance format to date, a 200ml bottle of the Molecule 01 scent. It's safe to say that team Who What Wear UK is very excited about the news.

"I have only ever worn one perfume in my life, and that is Escentric Molecules 01," says managing editor Poppy Nash. "My mum had a bottle long before it was a thing, and every time I spray it, it reminds me of her. Now, after almost 11 years of wearing it myself, I still get at least one compliment every day. It is woody, musky and ever so slightly sweet, but the beauty of the fragrance is that it smells different to everyone."

Key notes: On the Rocks accord, cognac essence, tonka bean absolute​, bergamot, grapefruit, aldehydes

Boozy scents really come into their own at this time of year, and the latest launch from Kilian Paris is no exception. If you're a fan of the original Angel Share perfume, then you will love this.

As the name suggests, this particular fragrance is slightly cooler and more frosty than the original, featuring citrusy notes such as bergamot and grapefruit. Spritzing it feels like that first sip of an ice-cold cocktail while standing in front of a roaring fire.

Key notes: Vanilla, amber, pink pepper, oakwood

As I'm sure you'll soon notice, vanilla perfumes are also proving particularly popular this winter. However, if you're looking for a grown-up gourmand, I suggest checking out Loewe's new Roasted Vanilla scent. This is an incredibly rich, heady perfume, with hints of oakwood and pink pepper adding a smoky element to the vanilla notes. It feels warm and cosy, but not in a cashmere blanket kind of way. Instead, it's like slipping on a cool leather jacket.

Key notes: Buttercream, caramel, vanilla

If super sweet perfumes are your kind of thing, then you'll love Buttercream Haze by The 7 Virtues. With a blend of buttercream, caramel and vanilla, it will certainly give your favourite dessert a run for its money. What I like about this scent is just how youthful and flirty it feels. If you really want to make an impact, I recommend layering it with your favourite vanilla body cream, too.

Key notes: Lily, osamanthus, magnolia, ylang ylang, grapefruit

Balmain has been on it with its new fragrance launches as of late, and now the brand has released four eau de toilette iterations of some of its most popular scents, including my personal favourite, Rouge. The sparkling floral fragrance feels impossibly romantic, and the eau de toilette is somewhat lighter and more wearable than the original. While my Rouge perfume is reserved for date nights only, this has become my new go-to for every day.

Key notes: Strawberry, gardenia, brown sugar, patchouli

One of my new favourite scents has to be Miu Miu Miutine. Designed to capture the youthful spirit of the Miu Miu woman, this perfume is practically bursting with flirtatious energy. It starts sweet and light, with shimmering accords of wild strawberry and brown sugar. However, as time goes on, a whisper of patchouli reveals a more sophisticated side that, although unexpected, keeps you totally hooked.

The bottle itself is a tribute to the iconic Miu Miu Matelassé leather, in a warm chestnut colour that feels perfect for this time of year. Pulling this out of my handbag feels like the ultimate fashion statement.

Key notes: Jasmine, lemon, black tea, guaiac wood, orris

Who What Wear beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden, can't get enough of Acqua di Parma's newest scent. "I’m pretty sure this fragrance is about to become my new favourite perfume. If creamy florals are your thing, Acqua di Parma’s take will sweep you up—it’s soft yet smoky, with a smouldering woody depth."

"What makes it even more special is the way the house extracts its jasmine petals. It uses a traditional cold enfleurage method that preserves the flower’s natural richness and intensity. The result is jasmine at its creamiest, brightened by a sparkle of Italian lemon and grounded by smooth woods and earthy patchouli that cocoon the skin. It's utterly hypnotic—I keep catching myself leaning down to my wrists throughout the day because it’s just that addictive." 

Key notes: Bergamot, frankincense, ginger, rose, oud, patchouli, sandalwood, myrrh, liquorice root, tonka bean

A new scent that our beauty director, Shannon Lawlor is loving? Creed's Oud Zarian. "A deep, wintery delight, Creed Oud Zarian is a scent to have on your radar this autumn/winter. As someone who doesn't wear much oud (I'm one of those people who finds it overwhelming), I can't put into words just how special this scent is," she tells me.

"Yes, it's oudy, and obviously so, but after just a few moments of being around it, you realise quite quickly that it doesn't impede on your space in the way a typical oud fragrance might. It has a fresh, zesty bite as the top, thanks to ginger and bergamot, and the animalic oud is wrapped up in a richly powdered smokiness of rose. Throw in some tonka bean and patchouli for good measure, and what you have is a scent that smells like the most expensive aroma in the world."

Key notes: Bitter orange, labdanum, amber

New from Jo Malone London is the perfect autumn scent. This is a statement fragrance, so it's not for the faint-hearted, but if you want to turn heads, then this might be for you. Bitter orange blends with warming amber, smooth vanilla and woody oak for a deep, rich finish that has me dreaming of cosy, darker evenings.

Vousden is also a fan. "This fragrance is warm, glowing, a little smoky and reminds me of sitting next to a fire pit at golden hour as the sun slowly descends below the horizon, the sky a smouldering amber as you sip a cocktail. It's absolutely divine and impressively long-lasting. It's a great scent to take you through summer evenings and into autumn and winter to feel like you've wrapped yourself in cashmere."

Key notes: Bitter almond, orange blossom, tuberose, sambac jasmine, mimosa absolute

I'm a huge fan of Givenchy's original L'Interdit fragrance, so when I heard that the brand was launching a new iteration of the scent, I was immediately intrigued. Another ideal perfume for both autumn and winter, this floral, woody concoction is infused with a bitter almond essence, giving it a distinct finish. It's warm, sensual, sophisticated and everything you'd want in a luxury fragrance. I'm reserving this one for date nights only.

Key notes: Geranium absolute, red peony, osmanthus, oud, cypriol

As mentioned, I don't usually gravitate toward oud fragrances; however, this new launch from Tom Ford is another exception. It's that good. Yes, it has that warm muskiness that many oud fragrances feature, but the addition of a fresh red peony accord lifts the scent, making it feel beautifully floral and captivating. If you find typical oud scents a bit too heavy, I encourage you to give this a try.