We went in search for the golden fleece, looking to find fragrances that have been inspired by the most noble metal itself. Not all roads on this journey have been paved with gold but we’re happy to tell you we struck gold in the end and are able to share with you the ultimate golden list of olfactive gold standard.
To add luster and glamour to this selection we took the golden opportunity to ask long-time contributor and photography’s golden boy Johan Rydberg to create a series of shimmering still lifes. In spite of his understated Northern character, Johan didn’t follow the golden mean but went all in. Enjoy this sparkling selection of gilded perfume masterpieces!
PHOTOGRAPHY & SET DESIGN: Johan Rydberg, @jrydberg
All that glitters is gold!
The gold standard of gilded perfume masterpieces.
01. BDK Parfums: Velvet Tonka
02. Dolce & Gabbana: The One Gold
“Gold, Always believe in your soul
You’ve got the power to know
You’re indestructible, always believing
You are gold.”
–Gold by Spandau Ballet
BDK PARFUMS: VELVET TONKA
PERFUMER: Alexandra Carlin
YEAR: 2021
www.bdkparfums.com
DOLCE & GABBANA: THE ONE GOLD
PERFUMER: Violaine Collas
YEAR: 2021
www.dolcegabbanabeauty.com
03. Penhaligon’s: The Inimitable William Penhaligon
04. Ciro: Ptah
05. Ex Nihilo: Bois D’Hiver
“Golden words he will pour in your ear
But his lies can’t disguise what you fear
For a golden girl knows when he’s kissed her
It’s the kiss of death from Mister Goldfinger.”
–Goldfinger by Shirley Bassey
PENHALIGON’S: THE INIMITABLE WILLIAM PENHALIGON
PERFUMER: Alberto Morillas
YEAR: 2020
www.penhaligons.co.uk
CIRO: PTAH
PERFUMER: Alexandra Carlin
YEAR: 2018
www.ciroparfums.com
EX NIHILO: BOIS D’HIVER
PERFUMER: Michel Girard
YEAR: 2014
www.ex-nihilo-paris.com
06. HISTOIRES DE PARFUMS: Veni
07. ATELIERS DES ORS: Blanc Polychrome
08. ALFRED DUNHILL: Icon
“We’re golden
Burn like the stars
Stay golden
Straight from your heart
With a voice sayin’, ‘I’ll never give in’
Get knocked down, back up again
We’re golden, golden
That’s who we are.”
–Golden by Kylie Minogue
HISTOIRES DE PARFUMS: VENI
PERFUMER: unknown
YEAR: 2012
www.histoiresdeparfums.com
ATELIER DES ORS: BLANC POLYCHROME
PERFUMER: Marie Salamgne
YEAR: 2020
www.atelierdesors.com
ALFRED DUNHILL: ICON
PERFUMER: Carlos Benaim
YEAR: 2020
www.atelierdesors.com
09. Widian: Gold II Sahara
10. Mona di Orio: Ambre
11. JUSBOX: Golden Serenade
“I’ve got the Midas touch
Everything I touch turns to gold, oh sugar
I’ve got the Midas touch
Baby, let me touch your body and your soul
Midas Touch.“
–Midas Touch by Midnight Star
WIDIAN: GOLD II SAHARA
PERFUMER: Jean-Claude Astier
YEAR: 2019
www.widianofficial.com
MONA DI ORIO: AMBRE
PERFUMER: Mona di Orio
YEAR: 2010
www.monadiorio.com
JUSBOX: GOLDEN SERENADE
PERFUMER: Julien Rasquinet
YEAR: 2018
www.jusboxperfumes.com
If you enjoyed this post you may also like this perfume editorial by the same photographer.