New Release: Ffern’s Summer 2023 Eau de Parfum
I have been noticing advertisements across my Instagram and on Vogue lately for Ffern — a sustainability forward organic perfumery based in Somerset, England. While looking into the brand’s Instagram, I noticed beautiful visuals of raw ingredients and simplistic, sleek bottles that captured my attention. Researching deeper on their website, I was impressed by the unique approach the brand offers for consumers to experience quality and intriguing formulations along with their exclusive manufacturing operations.
You must first join a ledger online on the brand’s website as Ffern only makes one bottle per name on their ledger, allowing Ffern to maintain small batch production an additionally minimize waste. No one else in the world has access to purchase any perfumes from Ffern without being on the registry. However, there is one brick and mortar store in Soho, England, with availability to purchase samples and limited releases in person. Every perfume released is inspired by the four seasons. The perfumes are shipped out in order to be received by each equinox date. Recipients are charged for each bottle before it is shipped out, with no fee to opt out of the ledger at any time. I rushed to apply on the waiting list.
Luckily, there was room for me to join the ledger in less than a month of application. I was so excited to receive my eau de parfum inspired by summer. Once received, I was pleasantly surprised that my shipment came with more than just a parfum. Inside, I received a small box with blotter cards and a sampler vial of the eau de parfum, to see if I enjoyed the scent enough to keep before voiding a return by opening the bottle. A Sampling Guide was also provided to me, encompassing how to trial the sampler vial along with a QR code to watch a short film showcasing inspiration on the scent. Surprisingly, a bag of tea to compliment the season was also included, with ingredients such as Rosehips, Bergamot oil, and Rooibos leaves crafted in collaboration with an organic herb supplier, local to Ffern. Additionally, inside the package was a terracotta diffusor stone, a card with the batch number, authenticity seal, and list of all the fragrance notes, along with a pamphlet with a cover designed by an artist with an image capturing the essence of the parfum. Inside the pamphlet included deeper insight into why the ingredients were selected for the release plus in-depth ingredient sourcing details. Every packaging component I received was 100% recyclable — I’d find out later that even the tray the parfum bottle is housed in is made of mushroom root, which is 100% compostable.
Ffern. “As the Season Turns • New August Episode.” Instagram, 1 Aug. 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/CvZXiNKs3Vr/
Now it was time to examine the scent after deciding I enjoyed the sampler. Opening the parfum box, I revealed the same sleek and simplistic bottle I witnessed across Ffern’s social channels. A label provided the ageing days, batch reference number, bottle number and the names of the perfumers. Spritzing across my shoulders and wrists, I first took note of invigorating greens and soft, whimsical florals, which upon further inspection, were compliments of creamy and slightly leathery Osmanthus from China and herbaceous Basil grand vert from the Nile Valley. Letting the scent sit for some time, I noticed it changed from a fresh, dainty floral to a warmer, in-depth scent of rose and wood. Mid-notes following the top included Rose Otto from Bulgaria, Ho Wood from China, Neroli (a favorite of mine) from Tunisia, and Nutmeg from Indonesia. This mid-note array of ingredients captured rose in a delicate yet impactful way, blending from the top seamlessly. The base notes comprised of another favorite of mine — earthy Vetiver root from Haiti, Red Cedar from Virginia, with sweet and earthy Brown-eyed Rock Rose from Spain. Additional notes in the scent included Key lime rind from Peru, Bergamot rind from Italy, and Hay from France. I felt despite the fragrance not including typical use of marine notes to encapsulate a summer scent, that the notes utilized did remind me of a summer field or garden. The coupling of florals, fruits and woods remained bright and clean throughout my first wear. I did feel that the sillage slightly lacked as I asked my sister what she thought about the scent. She could not notice it when I walked into her room until she was nose-close to my wrist — but that could be fault on my part as through my first experiment, I refrained from spritzing more than three times to see how the fragrance would stand.
Ffern. “Ffern Tea • Summer 23.” Instagram, 13 Aug. 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv4kzdmsss1/
Overall, I felt the scent was of quality — no noticeable alcohol pierced my nose as the base of the parfum was crafted with organic Italian grain vodka. I felt the scent was uncomplicated yet sophisticated enough to wear during the day and to carry into the evening. The Summer 2023 scent was not anything out-of-this-world, but I did truly enjoy it enough to hold onto and use. The brand packaged everything beautifully, and I truly appreciated their commitment to sustainability in regard to their packaging approach and small batch manufacturing. I am interested to see what the autumnal release will bring.
For details on how to join the ledger at Ffern, see the link below.
COVER PHOTO
Ffern. “From 'Moths', Jennifer O'Grady • Summer 23.” Instagram, 9 Aug. 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/CvuRn6YMtN3/