Clive Christian’s new store: sleek, metallic minimalism meets olfactive opulence
In probably the most jaw-dropping fragrance boutique we’ve ever stepped inside, Suzy Nightingale explores how Clive Christian is blending architectural innovation and fragrant heritage in their new flagship, with many scented surprises along the way…
Clive Christian’s new flagship at 118 New Bond Street, in London
We’ve seen many perfumery installations over the years – but nothing quite like an entire store being transformed to mirror (quite literally) a new fragrance direction. Step forward in to Clive Christian’s stunning new London flagship boutique at 118 New Bond Street, Mayfair, and we feel certain you will gasp when you step inside – as we did when first invited to explore at an exclusive preview meeting.
Designed in collaboration with architect Harry Nuriev, metallic silver surfaces gleam against the more heritage-driven wooden panels. A futuristic fireplace welcomes visitors, the flames digitally flickering but nonetheless feeling warming (fascinating!); a bespoke customistation room proffers endless creative flourishes to be added to your chosen bottle, while downstairs a private bar offers chic privacy for perfumed pondering.
The so-clever industrial-esque interior marries perfectly with the more traditional touches (which feel wonderfully like a kind of private perfume members’ club – though any fragrance fan may visit, no membership card required). Within, you can explore the archives upstairs, featuring glorious artefacts preserved from the history of Clive Christian’s heritage, dating right back to its roots as the Crown Perfumery. We were particularly taken with the antique walking stick housing a bottle of scent – perfect for a perfume-lover on the go.
Upstairs, you can also visit the secret room… a fully immersive space designed to change along with new launches, with screens reflecting the character of a particular perfume they’re concentrating on at that moment, for a full 360-degree smelling experience. At the time we visited, the immersion was for Inox, by Julien Rasquinet, senior perfumer at CPL Aromas, was directly inspired by modern architecture, and the elements of the entire space reflecting this. The silver-y sleekness of Inox is immediately apparent on skin, before a warmer woodiness kissed with cool spices sizzles its way through, all wrapped in shiny leather. You can only find Inox in the boutique itself, as a store exclusive – as good a reason for a trip to Bond Street as we can imagine.
Says Julien Rasquinet: ‘Inspired by the enduring strength of steel and the elegance of polished silver, this fragrance blends luxurious textures with a contemporary twist.’ Explaining his interplay of sleek modernism with the heritage of Clive Christian’s olfactive origins, he continues: ‘Light, radiant notes like the ozonic accord and cassis bring a fresh, airy balance to the richness of saffron and oud, creating a harmony between strength and delicacy. With Inox, I wanted to honour the sacred allure of ancient rituals while forging a bold, innovative, refined and luminous scent that is evocative of timeless resilience.’
At once playful and perfectly harmonising crisp, cool style with a warmer welcome, we highly recommend you get your nose to Mayfair and explore for yourself…
118 New Bond Street, London W1S 1EP