I have to have an idea of what I am trying to create before I start a perfume. Some perfumers seem happy to do initial mixes and see what takes their mood, but I just can’t work that way. I have to have something to go for at the start of my work. It may be a particular smell - like Central Park on a summer’s afternoon, or something completely abstract - like friendship. It’s only when I’ve got the idea fixed I can then get down to translating it into a perfume.

The idea that inspired this fragrance was energy - positive energy. I wanted to create something like an electric shock if that doesn’t sound too strange. Something that could galvanise you, change your mood, get you going, put a skip in your step as soon as you applied it or even smelled it.

One of the greatest “get up and go” fragrances of all time is the original Eau de Cologne by Jean Marie Farina. Spectacularly fresh, immediately popular and with an appeal that has lasted centuries. In many ways it had exactly the right profile for this project which was to create a special fragrance which rises above fashion trends of the time and represents a true expression of the art of perfumery.

Having this fragrance in mind and evolving the idea both technically and olfactively gave me the direction I needed.

First off you need that hit of citrus that takes your breath away. I used Italian bergamot at the top of the fragrance and underscored it with a Mediterranean lavender from Grasse. The two of them together give the fragrance a very powerful, clean start. You can’t keep that citrus freshness going for ever so you have to have the top evolve into a robust body without it getting heavy. I used the herbality of the lavender note to lead in to a mixture of fresh herbal notes of basil from Madagascar and French clary sage. It works really well. You’ll also get a lovely subtle hint of nutmeg through that herbal accord which helps to fix it as well as providing a softer edge to the herbality. Finally I used Indonesian patchouli to form the core of the end notes. It gives such a gloriously rich impression of earthy woody notes.

When I created the fragrance I probably had more of a male user in mind but women friends I have asked have really liked it too. One thing is for sure - there is no gender bias when you talk about energy – we all need a boost every once in a while.