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
Wallpaper* Newsletter
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.
-
Sharon Smith's Polaroids capture 1980s New York nightlife
IDEA Books has launched a new monograph of Smith’s photographs, titled Camera Girl and edited by former editor-in-chief of LIFE magazine, Bill Shapiro
By Zoe Whitfield Published
-
A multifaceted Beverly Hills house puts the beauty of potentiality in the frame
A Beverly Hills house in Trousdale, designed by Robin Donaldson, brings big ideas to the residential scale
By Ian Volner Published
-
The most whimsical hotel Christmas trees around the world
We round up the best hotel Christmas tree collaborations of the year, from an abstract take in Madrid to a heritage-rooted installation in Amsterdam
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Reimagining roses: experimental takes on rose perfumes
Rose perfumes – the most traditional of fragrances – are being given an unconventional edge by niche and big-name brands
By Mary Cleary Published
-
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
By Mary Cleary Last updated
-
Future facing: Byredo makeup remodels modern beauty
Byredo founder Ben Gorham and make-up artist Isamaya Ffrench share the story behind their experimental new cosmetics line
By Mary Cleary Last updated
-
A new perfumer is reclaiming the ‘broken’ fragrance industry
By Sotirios Varsamis Last updated