Beau de Jour: Tom Ford's fragrant ode to Old Hollywood
Tom Ford presents a modern take on the classic gentleman
Tom Ford wants you to smell the back of Cary Grant’s neck. At least, that’s what he told this writer at the launch of his new men’s fragrance, Beau de Jour. It might seem strange, but really the sentiment couldn’t be more quintessentially Tom Ford.
Like everything he creates, the fragrance, and the story behind it, suggests an underlying intimacy, a brazen masculinity, and a kind of sumptuous glamour that hasn’t been seen since the golden days of Hollywood.
The top notes of Beau de Jour are punctuated by a sharp herbiness – basil, rosemary and mint- tempered by the warmth of lavender and oakmoss. The result is a crisp, clean fragrance, evocative of a newly laundered shirt and clean shave. Overtime, however, this initial impression of freshness evolves into a rich, earthy musk of patchouli and amber. The end result is something charmingly cool yet unexpectedly dark, much like Mr. Grant himself. And while none of us will ever get the chance to cuddle up with the Hollywood legend, we can, at least for a moment, pretend.
INFORMATION
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Mary Cleary is a writer based in London and New York. Previously beauty & grooming editor at Wallpaper*, she is now a contributing editor, alongside writing for various publications on all aspects of culture.
-
Ten pyjama shirts good enough to wear out of the bedroom and onto the streetFrom Prada to Dolce & Gabbana, designers have embraced the louche elegance of the pyjama shirt this season. Here, the Wallpaper* style team select ten of the best
-
Zofia Rydet's 20-year task of photographing every household in Poland goes on show in LondonZofia Rydet took 20,000 images over 20 years for the mammoth sociological project
-
The McLaren 750S is a truly purist expression of the modern supercar templateMcLaren’s 750S ticks all the boxes for lovers of automotive exotica. It’s also one of the finest driving machines you can buy
-
Reimagining roses: experimental takes on rose perfumesRose perfumes – the most traditional of fragrances – are being given an unconventional edge by niche and big-name brands
-
Luxury scented candles to intrigue the senses, as selected by Wallpaper*The Wallpaper* edit of luxury scented candles spans from Celine and Bottega Veneta to Diptyque and Le Labo
-
Future facing: Byredo makeup remodels modern beautyByredo founder Ben Gorham and make-up artist Isamaya Ffrench share the story behind their experimental new cosmetics line
-
A new perfumer is reclaiming the ‘broken’ fragrance industry