IT'S ALL ABOUT THE LAYERS

WORDS & PHOTOS Liam Stretch

On a night out, and you’re wearing shorts, you should spray the back of your heels. Heat rises, and with it, the scent.” This is the advice that one longs for as a male but often doesn’t get when picking up a generic bottle of cologne. 

Stepping into the sleek kiosk cosily placed in Ballantynes’ cosmetics and fragrances section on level one, I had the opportunity to speak to Jo Malone London Ballantynes Boutique Manager, Benjamin Knox about the range before me. 

“Jo Malone London is definitely about storytelling and customers being able to find their perfect scent,” he tells me.

“They’re very unique and quirky combinations. We describe them as being a bit unexpected, something that is maybe quite different from what they’ve seen on the market with other fragrances.”

The key ingredient at the heart of the House of Jo Malone London is the art of ‘Scent Pairing’ – the ability to layer different fragrances and make them personalised.

“Our fragrance layering makes our products different; they are designed to be combined,” Ben says.

“You can layer them, starting with something that you absolutely love, which is your signature, and when it comes into summer, layer it with something a bit fresher to lift it or something spicier in the winter.”

This means your comfort scent could be of the woody range like Wood Sage and Sea Salt, yet a different occasion or season calls for something with floral vibrance, then you could layer it with something like the Nectarine Blossom and Honey.

Jo Malone London’s unique fragrances allow for the range to suit all genders. And Benjamin recommends men come in to find a perfect match, to “stand out and be a bit different” because there is nothing better than someone complimenting you on how you smell when you’re out on the town.

“I really like the Cologne Intense lineup for men. I feel like it has a bit of richness. Like the Oud and Bergamot – a rich woody aromatic that mixes in well with citrus.”

Benjamin helped me find a perfect fragrance combination after I communicated the story I wished to tell ‘Victoria cruise ship parlour’. He matched me with a Dark Amber and Ginger Lilly Cologne Intense lifted by a Mimosa and Cardamom Cologne. I can say the compliments came thick and fast. 

Beyond individual fragrances, Jo Malone London has a curated range for ‘Bath & Body’ and ‘For The Home’, including cremes and lotions, candles and diffusers – all designed to tell stories of your own. A boutique fragrance specialist will also help you find the perfect match in both these ranges.

Benjamin has worked for the brand for two years now and still loves it as much as he did on day one.

“Jo Malone London has always been a love of mine. I love the aesthetic and the ethos of the brand, what it is and what they display as a brand. The opportunity came up, and I jumped at it. It’s been fantastic because you get to work with people every day who are excited to find something for themselves and be taken on a journey.”

Available at Jo Malone London Ballantynes Christchurch instore and online.

jomalone.co.nz