Frangipani in perfumery
In This Article
Each year, we eagerly anticipate the return of frangipani flower in the exquisite floral, oriental, and especially summer creations of our favorite perfumery artisans. The frangipani flower is closely associated with solar notes, making it a popular choice for warm weather fragrances.
Frangipani: The Enchanting Tree with Magical Powers from the Antilles
Frangipani is native to the West Indies, particularly Venezuela, although it can now be found in many tropical regions of Africa and Asia. In Asia, the frangipani tree is considered sacred and often planted near temples or cemeteries. It is believed to be a shelter for lost souls, regardless of cultural beliefs, and therefore is not typically planted near homes.
In Laos, the frangipani flower serves as the national emblem due to the widespread belief in East Asia that it represents eternal life. Although the tiare flower is actually native to Polynesia, frangipani is still highly valued and revered by the locals, who hold it in high spiritual regard.
Fun Fact: The frangipani flower is also known as Plumeria, named after the French botanist Charles Plumier, who documented its existence in the late 17th century.
Is it the enchanting scent of the frangipani flower's white or pink blooms that lends it a magical quality? It's hard to say, but the exotic and deliciously vanilla and almond scents of frangipani are undoubtedly captivating. As a result, it's only natural to find the frangipani note in a variety of solar summer fragrances.
Summer Scents Enhanced by the Radiant Frangipani Note
Frangipani and tiare flowers are often confused with one another, both due to their physical resemblance and their shared association with solar notes and summer fragrances. The frangipani flower imparts potent vanilla and almond scents to our perfumes, evoking memories of tropical vacations under the sun. Thanks to the summer fragrance trend, frangipani is frequently used in floral fragrances that reveal its powdery and gourmand facets, as well as floral oriental scents that emphasize its exotic character.
Fun Fact: Frangipani flowers are often used in Hawaiian leis due to their long-lasting fragrance and sturdy structure, making them an emblem of welcome, friendship, and celebration.
In floral fragrances, the frangipani flower often features as a heart note. In Amor Amor Summer by Cacharel, frangipani is paired with rose and grenadine, while in ANGE OU DEMON LE SECRET Elixir by Givenchy and Couleur Kenzo Jaune Yellow, the note of frangipani harmonizes with jasmine and orange blossom.
In oriental fragrances, Thierry Mugler combines frangipani with floral notes in ALIEN Sunessence, and Cacharel incorporates it alongside peony in Amor Amor Forbidden Kiss. Yves Saint-Laurent, on the other hand, utilizes the frangipani flower in Manifesto L'Elixir to create a more original heart composition of frangipani, coconut, and tiare.
For now, the frangipani flower appears to be the favored choice for predominantly female summer fragrances. Oriental, floral, or even citrus fragrances embrace this beautiful flower delicately to enhance our sun-warmed skin with an air of exoticism.
Fun Fact: Frangipani flowers have a unique characteristic – they are most fragrant at night to attract sphinx moths for pollination, as these insects are most active after dusk.
In conclusion, the captivating frangipani flower holds a special place in the world of perfumery, enchanting us with its delightful, exotic aromas that conjure memories of sun-drenched vacations and tropical escapes. Its versatile nature allows it to blend seamlessly with various fragrance families, making it a sought-after ingredient in the creation of summer scents that transport us to far-off paradises with every whiff.
