Fragrances are inspired by numerous things — most commonly the changing seasons, glamorous locales and, of course, the need to beguile the opposite sex. At the opposite end of the scale there’s the workroom of a Savile Row tailors (Sartorial by Penhaligon’s), dust on a lightbulb (Odeur 71 by Comme des Garçons) and now a Dutch hairdresser.
Swedish fragrance house Byredo’s latest eau de parfum, Mister Marvelous, takes renowned hair stylist Christiaan Houtenbos as its starting point. In a career lasting more than 40 years, he worked for Calvin Klein and Armani, and created some of the most iconic cuts of all time — including Grace Jones’ flat-top and schoolboy favourite the undercut.
Just as Houtenbos would take classic styles and update them, Mister Marvelous is a contemporary twist on timeless colognes. Created by Byredo founder Ben Gorham, it contrasts sophisticated base notes of black amber and white cedarwood with a heart of green lavender and bamboo, and the modern energy of citrus top notes.
It’s available either directly from Byredo or in London department store Liberty in both 50ml and 100ml sizes, priced at £85 and £125 respectively.
