“Sherbet whiteness” is how Lyn Harris, founder of Perfumer H, describes magnolia, an ivory-toned flower that shapes Shanghai’s springtime atmosphere.
The soft, refreshing scent has now been translated into Magnolia Tree, a new fragrance and the latest creation from the cult-favorite label, which was developed in collaboration with Chinese multibrand retailer Dongliang.
Set to release at Dongliang stores and Perfumer H’s doors throughout the world, the floral scent highlights green notes such as Sicily lemon, green conifer, sandalwood, French juniper and white musk, which exudes a sense of warmth and freshness synonymous with Perfumer H.
The eau de parfum version of the scent zeroes in on the creamy, petal-like quality of the flower, while the Magnolia Tree candle shifts its focus to the tree itself, creating a vibrant and airy atmosphere.
Lyn Harris at Dongliang Maison.
Courtesy of Perfumer H/Joao Sousa
To celebrate the collaboration, a weeklong pop-up was launched on Wednesday at Dongliang Maison’s courtyard tea house.
Three traditional Chinese flower-and-bird paintings, ancient ceramic fragments depicting the magnolia, and works by a local paper flower maker helped set the scene. Dongliang’s destination shop was designed by its cofounders Charles Wang and Daniel Du, blending Art Nouveau influences with East Asian minimalism, which also echoes Perfumer H’s serene sensibility.
Window display for the launch.
Courtesy
For Wang, Magnolia Tree is meant to pay homage to a historic magnolia tree in the store’s backyard, quietly witnessing not only Shanghai’s ever-evolving street life but also an intimate encounter that ultimately inspired the collaboration.
“When Lyn [Harris] was here, she immediately fell in love with our attic space, which had these windows that framed the single magnolia tree outside. When she subsequently spotted a black bird, which to her was a sign to begin creating, she decided to make a perfume for us,” said Wang.
“We wanted to create a scent that could represent the tone and temperament of Shanghai, a small experience that could spark vast imaginations,” Wang added.
Dongliang joins a select group of collaborators, including auction house Sotheby’s, Japanese retailer Arts & Science, and, most recently, British fashion label Studio Nicholson, to become Perfumer H’s latest collaborator.
Taking a local-first approach, Perfumer H’s flagship in Shanghai has worked with the local baker L’Atelier Over, traditional textile maker Oame, and the local flower shop Wilde.
Despite the market slowdown, Dongliang quickly adapted with an entrepreneurial spirit that took the Chinese retailer beyond its traditional wholesale business, with the fragrance project marking the culmination of more than a year’s work to expand into lifestyle categories.
Dongliang, which operates around eight stores in China, as well as four Uma Wang stores, has expanded to include a boutique hotel in Guangzhou, a tea brand, and an art gallery in Shanghai. Its latest exhibition, exploring the theme of touch, has traveled to Dongliang Maison, activating the store’s two villa houses.
“It’s about extending our visual language into tangible products,” said Wang.
“Our goal is for Dongliang to nourish the mind, body and spirit. It’s a very different experience from traditional retail,” Wang added.
