With the summer months come an excuse to embrace all that the world of scent has to offer; it’s an opportunity to hang up those rich and moody fragrances in favour of something lighter, more energising and reminiscent of time in the sunshine – whether that’s in the UK or abroad. Although we’ve become accostomed to a summertime scent including citrus or tropical notes that remind us of beach days and lazy afternoons in European destinations, with the pandemic forcing us to look closer to home for a getaway it’s the perfect opportunity to embrace notes that are a little more homegrown. And Jo Malone’s ‘Great British Summer Fete’ collection is the antidote we all need this year.
Inspired by the country fetes that we all experienced in childhood (and more so in adulthood as they’re making a comeback!) the collection nods beautifully to the gingham tablecloths and freshly baked goods often found on offer. Orange Peel, Tangy Rhubarb, Elderflower Cordial, Rose Blush and one of my favourites from the permenant line Blackberry & Bay (I wore this on my wedding day,) make up the five piece collection – and it’s one of my favourite limited edition ranges of all time.
Not only do the bottles feel incredibly special and totally different from what you’d expect from Jo Malone London, but the scents within are so smile-inducing that it’s going to be tough to stop using them when we hit the colder months. Elderflower is one of my favourite scents (and flavours) so it’s no surprise I utterly adore the concoction that’s just the right amount of sweetness; it’s not sickly sweet, but instead more of a comforting and uplifting scent that wafts for hours to the enjoyment of everyone around me.
Over the weekend I walked in the woods with my Nan, who pointed out a huge elderflower tree and told me stories of using the flowers to make award-winning wine in her youth. Moments later she asked what ‘beautiful perfume’ I was wearing as she kepy catching a delicate hint as we wandered through the overgrowth; the fact it was Jo Malone Elderflower Cordial was the best kind of coincidence and an even better endorsement for the spritz I’d applied that morning.
The Rose Blush scent is also a beautifully delicate embodiment of the roses that adorn a typical British countryside garden; a slightly sweet modern interpretation, it’s a great way to wear floral without it being heavy or ‘old fashioned’. Rose has been given a hard time in recent years, but this is a whisper of a fragrance that makes an ideal daily scent that would work beautifully when layered as much as it stands out when worn alone.
Although I’ve yet to try the Orange Peel or Tangy Rhubarb, they sound just as divine – and I’m sure I’d wear either in a heartbeat. And I’m already a huge fan of the Blackberry & Bay, as I wore it over English Pear and Freesia on my wedding day; it still reminds me of the early Autumn day we said our vows and the countryside barn we spent our reception in, so will forever have a special place in my heart.
This is a collection I fell in love with from the very first spritz, and one that will sure to find itself in the Jo Malone hall of fame for years to come.
Discover the Jo Malone ‘Great British Summer Fete’ Collection HERE
Each 30ml scent is priced £55.00 – build your own duo or trio in a collectable tin for free!
