My love for fragrance dates back to my preteen days. I had a collection of perfumes on the top of my dresser that I would douse myself in whenever I left the house. As I've grown, so has my love of fragrance. Thankfully, I've matured past the overpowering scents wafting through my favorite teenage-era mall stores (IYKYK). Now, I've delved deeper into the world of fragrance and enjoy discovering the main notes and undertones of a specific scent and figuring out the best occasion for it.
Who What Wear's Director of Special Projects, Kristen Nichols, is no stranger to the world of perfume, and recently, she told me that Penhaligon's—an iconic British brand beloved by editors and celebrities alike—had opened a new store in Soho, Manhattan. I was instantly intrigued. The boutique is the first-ever Penhaligon's store in the U.S., so it's been hard to get your hands on one of these luxury fragrances for some time. Since I'm not in NYC, I tapped Kristen to check out the store and give me the low-down of what you can find there. Spoiler alert: I'm officially booking a trip to the city to experience this boutique because, naturally, her day looked magical.
"Before heading to Penhaligon's, I had some fragrances in mind that I was interested to experience in the store," Kristen told me. "But once I tried them, the store associates helped me discover new fragrances based on the notes I prefer, and took me through the fascinating history of the brand and the stories behind the perfumes and collections." The first fragrance she fell in love with was Halfeti, one of Penhaligon's most iconic scents. "I was drawn to [Halfeti] since its heart note is rose and it has a deep scent profile that blends fruits, spices, creamy jasmine, and rose. At the store, I learned that it is named after the special type of rose used in the perfume that mysteriously only grows in a black hue in Halfeti—anywhere else it is planted, it grows in a red color."
According to Kristen, the Penhaligon’s store in Soho was like stepping into the charm of an old-world apothecary with modern design details. "Penhaligon's fragrances are beautifully crafted, but their stunning bottles really set them apart," she explained. "Some of them even have storytelling elements, including The Portraits Collection, in which each bottle is designed around a specific character that has its own unique story. The special bottles reflect the fun, entertaining spirit of the British fragrance house."
Of course, she fell for more than one perfume. After seeing the dozens of bottles lining the shelves, it would be hard to pick a favorite. "Luna is another fragrance that was recommended at the store," said Kristen. "It has a bright yet delicate scent with notes of bergamot, jasmine, and oud, designed to encapsulate the softness of moonlight. I immediately loved it."
