The Dandy is the talk of the town, don't you know.

Behind Closed Doors...

Penhaligon’s may be purveyors of fine perfumes, but we’re also proud patrons of British Craftsmanship. Our latest series, You Crafty Thing, shines a spotlight on bold, eccentric, or heritage crafts and the creatives behind them. So, as we begin to dance the night away with our latest fragrance, The Dandy, we invited illustrator Dominic Myatt to create some dazzling sketches depicting a night at the speakeasy, one full of glitter, smoke and mischief.

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Dominic Myatt is an artist living in East London, having graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London in 2014 and The Royal Drawing School in 2019. His work – a fascinatingly eclectic body composed in a mix of mediums – explores the human form as well as the space between reality and fantasy. Myatt’s art has graced The Tate Collection, the Royal Collection, and the Soho House collection. One can even spot his work in the foyer of the Kit Kat Club, currently home to the acclaimed musical, Cabaret.

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Penhaligon’s invited Myatt to create a series of sketches that would take place in the fictional world of The Dandy (after all, we are known for our fabulous olfactive storytelling), inspired by the new fragrance of the same name. A woody scent with notes of whisky, raspberry, and cedarwood, the scent invokes memories of endless nights dancing in a haze of smoke and glitter. So, Myatt created a series of 12 illustrations that depicted the thrilling escapades of The Dandy. Dancers, musicians, chandeliers, feather boas... the list goes on, just as the night at The Dandy never ends...

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Penhaligon’s was lucky enough to spend some time with Dominic in his studio in East London, where he discussed his passion for art and the inspiration behind the illustrations. It’s a rather riveting watch, if we do say so ourselves.

Now, we’d say it’s time to explore a world of mischief and glitter... wouldn’t you?

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We invited illustrator Dominic Myatt to create some dazzling sketches depicting a night at the speakeasy.

A Night At The Dandy with Dominic Myatt

Penhaligon’s may be purveyors of fine perfumes, but we’re more than prepared to dip our toes into other promising pursuits. So, when we were concocting our latest fragrance, The Dandy – inspired by endless nights at the speakeasy – we couldn’t help but ask musician Mark Kavuma to step into The Dandy with us and compose original jazz music one could dance all night to in haze of glitter and mischief. The result? A temptingly toe-tapping quartet of terrific tracks!​

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Composer. Bandleader. Trumpeter. These are just a few words to describe music extraordinaire Mark Kavuma, leader of The Banger Factory, a collective known for their soulful sound and distinctive enthusiasm. Mark, born in Uganda, discovered music at the age of 13 when he started to play the trumpet. His early influences included South African Jazz and Gospel, and Kavuma integrated himself into the nu-jazz music scene and produced his first tracks in his early twenties. Now, Mark leads an ensemble band with monthly residencies in London and has released six albums with The Banger Factory.​

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Penhaligon’s asked Kavuma and his band to create some original music inspired by The Dandy fragrance, a woody amber scent with notes of whisky, raspberry and cedarwood. The results? Four soulful songs sprinkled with jazzy solos, all invoking what it would feel like to spend a night at The Dandy (if The Dandy were a real place. Which, to Penhaligon’s, it is). ​

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We sat down with Mark to discuss his passion for music, as well as the inspiration behind the jazz tracks for The Dandy – which one can watch below: ​

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Ears burning? One can listen to the rhythm of jazz here:

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We invited musician Mark Kavuma and his band to create original tracks inspired by The Dandy.​

Making Music With Mark Kavuma

It’s no secret that Penhaligon’s adores a cocktail – but did you know we’re partial to a party, too? That’s where the inspiration for our latest fragrance, The Dandy, comes from. The scent – a woody amber with notes of fruit and whisky – is a celebration of endless nights on the dancefloor. Hark back to the age, if you will, of secret bars and speakeasies; of boots tap-tapping to the sound of Jazz and bourbon beats. ​

Now, dear reader, you have been invited to The Dandy: so pour oneself a cup of tea (or something stronger on the rocks) and discover the fragrant notes of the eau de parfum itself. One sniff, and you may never want to leave. ​

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Let’s take it from the top. First, a bright burst of bergamot takes centre stage, refreshing from the first sniff (or sip). Whilst bergamot has been used in perfumery for centuries, there’s something terribly modern about this citrus note: it can be sweet and liquorous, especially when paired with the deeper, richer notes found in The Dandy. Bergamot oil is extracted from the peel of the bergamot orange, which originated from the sun-kissed orchards of Southern Italy. It’s all rather picturesque to imagine, and creates an invigorating start to a night at The Dandy.​

Now, one must dress the part – and what better outfit to a party than a raspberry robe? Fresh, juicy, and irresistibly fruity, raspberry accord infuses The Dandy with a sparkling, gourmandesque facet. Often synonymous with desserts and summertime treats, raspberries can also add a ripe sensuality to perfumery, balancing sweetness with a touch of sophistication. All good and well, then, that we bottled it up in The Dandy!​

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Quite literally at the heart of The Dandy is whisky accord; a nudge-nudge-wink-wink to the world of gentlemen’s clubs and smoky lounges; wood-panelled walls and lacquered floors. Whisky made its way into perfumery in the 19th century, when Scottish distilleries began exporting their fine creations around the world. Perfumers suceeded in capturing the essence of this beloved libation, blending notes of oak barrels, caramelised sugar, and a hint of smokiness to create a sophisticated, liquorous scent. It leaves a warm, lasting impression which you can surely raise a glass to.​

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Rich. Woody. Timeless. Captivating cedarwood spills out of The Dandy like a deep base note on the sax. With a warm, enveloping aroma, cedarwood has been prized in perfumery for centuries with origins in ancient Egypt. Native to the forests of the Himalayas and the Mediterranean, cedarwood has not only been used in perfumery, but is rather prominent in medicine and woodworking, too. Cedarwood essence is often extracted through the steam distillation of wood chips, which creates an earthy, slightly leathery scent. As the night goes on in The Dandy, notes of cedarwood add a woody finish to the whisky-based scent, reminiscent of whisky stored in an oak barrel. Now, care to dance?​

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Pour oneself a cup of tea (or something stronger on the rocks) and discover the fragrant notes of the eau de parfum.

The Dandy: An Olfactive Introduction

How did you come to pursue a career in perfumery?​

 My journey began when I was a child. I grew up in Grasse, the perfume capital, with my family where my father was a perfumer, my grandmother picked jasmine, and my grandfather supplied natural ingredients to the perfume industry. They all shared their passion and know-how with me, which was crucial in shaping my olfactory career. This heritage is what led me to explore every stage of perfume creation.​

Do you have any childhood memories of smell or fragrance?​

Oh, countless memories! The scent of jasmine from Grasse mingled with earthy olive and resinous cypress fills my memories. Spending my childhood in Grasse was a gift: being surrounded by this generous Mediterranean nature awakened my imagination.​

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Where do you look for inspiration when creating a scent?​

Before creating a fragrance, I take time to reflect on the history of the fragrance house. I often begin with raw material, focussing on what it evokes for me: its scent, its terroir, and also its texture. In my compositions, I often play with a major ingredient which I then integrate with other key notes. I try not to lose sight of the emotion I want to convey and remain faithful to my initial ideas throughout the scent’s development.

Independent, refined, and epicurean. ​

What olfactive category does The Dandy fall into?​

The Dandy falls into the woody amber category. It blends the warmth of woody notes with the freshness of citrus and the richness of amber and patchouli. This combination creates a sophisticated and bold fragrance that is both timeless and modern.​

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How does the Dandy fragrance evolve on skin?​

The Dandy fragrance evolves with confidence, moving from dynamic freshness to woody warmth to refined virility. Initially, top notes of citron, bergamot, and raspberry bring a lively dynamic freshness. Next, the fragrance's heart reveals accords of cedar, whisky and oak, which add a woody, spicy depth evoking charisma and sophistication. Finally, the base notes of patchouli, cedarwood and amber bring a sensual warmth and smoky undertone that linger on the skin.

How would you describe the smell of whisky in perfumery?​

 In perfumery, the smell of whisky evokes a sense of luxury and refinement. The scent is rich and complex with notes of hay, liquor, and celery. It's a warm, woody and smoky accord, often reconstituted from special lactones that give it distinct liquorous nuances. To recreate this essence, I drew upon my palette of raw materials creating a deep fragrance.​

What was the most interesting ingredient to work with when creating The Dandy, and why?​

Oak was the most interesting. I was fascinated by the richness and complexity of this element. SFE-grade oak chips, obtained by CO2 extraction, brought a woody, dry and smoky dimension to the fragrance. The oak note added depth and texture to the fragrance, evoking a timeless elegance associated with dandyism. By working with this ingredient, I was able to capture the sophisticated, daring spirit of The Dandy, creating a fragrance that seduces with its subtlety and complexity.​

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If you could capture one smell in a bottle, what would it be?

That's a tough question! But if I had to choose one, it would be the scent of dawn in Grasse. Picture it: the first light of day breaking over the horizon, the coolness of the morning air, and the earth waking on a new day. There's a freshness in the air, a delicate blend of dewy grass, blooming flowers, and a hint of citrus carried on a gentle breeze. 

What has been your proudest moment as a perfumer?​

I feel rather proud when I encounter someone on the street wearing my fragrance. It's proof that I've succeeded in bringing pleasure to someone. Beyond that, working with the people who grow natural ingredients and having the chance to use these in my beautiful creations is one of my greatest achievements as a perfumer.​


Behind Closed Doors...

A Night At The Dandy with Dominic Myatt

Making Music With Mark Kavuma

The Dandy: An Olfactive Introduction

A Night At The Dandy with Fabrice Pellegrin​

A Night At The Dandy with Fabrice Pellegrin