– What was my fragrant journey with Jo Malone’s perfumes like? – I ask myself. And yet I cannot answer, as there has never been a proper beginning… But the perfume, it was always there.

Beginning

Jo Malone London has existed since I can remember.

Around 2008-2009, when I discovered perfumes, I went straight for Chanel and Dior and Guerlain, the big boys. But in the corner of my eye I would always notice that elegant creamy white design with black edges, either at Brown Thomas in Dublin or at the airports. However, on numerous occasions I have tried the Jo Malone London perfumes, I was never too excited. You see, I think during those early years I was always after the power houses, always trying to impress.. It was probably not until 2015 when I received Wood Sage & Sea Salt as a present, my first perfume from this house. It was so very different from anything that I liked at the time! Yet I fell in love with it, as it was so perfect for hot summer days… Little did I know that Jo Malone had left the company long ago before that…

The Book

I would have probably never truly discovered the story behind Jo Malone brand if it wasn’t for her book, Jo Malone: My Story; and also for the fact that she herself was coming over for an evening to Dublin to introduce her new brand – Jo Loves.

I would sometimes wonder, why a person would sell their company if they truly loved what they did..? Or, in this case, why would Jo leave her ‘home’? Was Estee Lauder (the parent company for Jo Malone London) not treating her right?…

And then I opened ‘My Story’… And the truth was stripped down to the bones.. Standing there, personal, naked. Just as it is, real. From a little girl helping mom make face creams in their own kitchen.. to a young lady working side by side with her husband, earning that first million in her own store in London, and then going global with the help of Estee Lauder… to a mom fighting cancer..

When Jo came back to life (and back work), it was not the same. And how could it be?.. In recent years, I haven’t met a person who didn’t have someone in his / her family (or a circle of acquaintances) fighting this disease.. It changes people. Changes everything around you and inside you.. As for Jo, her sense of smell was not the same, her company didn’t bring her happiness at the same level as it used to before.. And I completely understand her choice to retire…

The final sections of the book are about a new beginning – the struggle with creativity, the birth of Jo Loves and the story behind ‘Pomelo’ (first of the four perfumes created after a very long break, released in 2011).

Generally in life, and even when reading books, I now always tend to look for signs or examples of how Nature (or God / Higher Powers) manifests itself, how it shows agreement with a certain activity, or shows that the time has come for some particular change.. And as it all comes from within, I find that being one with Nature and trying to develop this sensitivity to the World around you is of crucial importance. Shutting down with anger and jealousy and pride is already a step backwards.. So, this story about a little stingray swimming beside Jo and mimicking her while she walked up and down the beach, this to me is a clear sign of agreement from above. After this encounter with the ray fish, Jo Malone writes how clearly she could see what moments and feelings had to be captured in her new fragrance… And this is a corner stone for the new beginning.

Meeting Jo Malone

Space.NK Apothecary in Dublin is the new home to Jo Loves fragrances, and I am delighted to have been there on the opening night. Together with other visitors, I enjoyed taking part in the so-called perfume experience – Fragrance Tapas. You are not to drink them though! 🙂 But you may experience them too, when visiting Jo Loves store on Elizabeth St in London.

We were also introduced to the new invention – Fragrance Paintbrush, which I think is a brilliant idea for people who don’t like to spray perfumes due to their high content of alcohol. The Fragrance Paintbrush carries the exact same scent and is gel based. It comes in four scents – Pomelo, White Rose & Lemon Leaves, Green Orange & Coriander and Red Truffle 21.

And this is how I discovered Pomelo… 🙂

It is a wonderfully blended perfume, fresh and citrusy smell, not too sharp, or too cold… more like an early summer morning here in Ireland, with a light breeze from the sea and crispy clean sheets of bed linen… And at the same time it is cozy and warming with the help of patchouli and rose. Nothing ‘too vanilla’ here! Only masterful creativity at its best… Pomelo performs beautifully on my skin, and I can feel its joy for hours. It suits any time of the day and any time of the year, which I was amazed to discover.

Jo herself is an extremely pleasant and down-to-earth person, and it was a real treat to meet her in person. Having read her book, brings me closer to understanding of her choices in life. But just standing beside and listening to her tell her own story was the most inspiring. The businesswoman, the entrepreneur, the artist. The one that sees perfume as colour.. The inspiration.. The Fighter… The Woman..

And finally,

I would like to share with you a few photos from the evening with Jo Malone in Dublin.

P.S. A couple of days ago, when on a run through the airport, I stopped at Jo Malone London and finally asked to try their very first scent Jo created – Nutmeg & Ginger Cologne. It is discontinued….. There I am, just a touch too late…. Ah well… But to be honest, I am now more curious to get back to Space.NK and try Red Truffle 21 by Jo Loves…. 😉

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Do pop into Space.NK when you’re in Dublin, and try out the Jo Loves scents. Fragrances come from approx €80 or £70, the Fragrance Paintbrush is €45 or £40. Alternatively, you may also order online via Jo Loves and receive two complimentary fragrance samples. Or…hop on a plane to London and head straight to Elizabeth St for that extraordinary fragrance experience! 🙂 You will not regret it. I promise.

P.S.S. Prices are correct in £ at the time of writing this blog post, 17th March, 2018.