Out of Africa: Aqualis

AQUALIS LANDS Aqualis - the new fragrance brand - borrows its name, in part, from the Latin QUALIS (QUALIA); the subjective perception of one's surroundings. No one will  see a setting sun or smell a rose exactly the same way as someone else. It was the fascination with this philosophy, plus a love & acquired understanding of scent, together with memories of growing up in South Africa, that inspired this most accomplished and covetable collection. An unprecedented attention to detail, in a minimal and restrained context, has resulted in some of the most surprising and delightful fragrances to land this season. Created to represent an evolutional and emotional journey - Origin, Utopia, Freedom and Coda - Aqualis' Evolution Series is a bold and brilliant release from a very talented new perfume maker.

ORIGIN Aqualis Origin is a tribute to beginnings. The box's stunning artwork implies the moment of creation, the big bang and the spawning of far flung galaxies. The jus itself uses some of the oldest ingredients known to perfumery but it is also about personal history. In homage to his own half Namibian roots, Steyn Grobler uses Namibian myrrh in this spectacular blend. Myrrh has been used by the women of the Himba tribe for thousands of years. They collect the solidified sap of the Commiphorra shrub and mix it with butterfat and ochre pigment which, when applied, gives their skin and hair a red tinge symbolising the soil’s rich red colour and the sanguine essence of life. At the heart of this scent is a red swirl of Turkish rose absolute and Egyptian jasmine absolute, cushioned on a base of French vanilla bourbon and French patchouli heart and ancient Indian papyrus oil. Discover Origin / Buy FREEDOM Aqualis Freedom is inspired by the South African seaside town of Breton on Sea; the unspoiled, nature lover’s paradise where Steyn Grobler spent his childhood vacations.  The area is known for its skies of blue-green knysna turaco birds, beautifully depicted on the product packaging, an image that obviously resonated with the young Grobler. Freedom recalls the moment when you fling open the car door and smell the scent of the ocean for the first time after a long journey. Pressed Egyptian bergamot and Spanish thyme oil, suggesting the coastal flora, mix with a fresh burst of marine sea salt air. Cape immortelle is indigenous to the area and its warm honey-hay-like notes add an accord of something almost indescribably familiar yet exotic. At the base oak moss, Haitian vetiver, white musk underscore this soaring scent. Discover Freedom / Buy UTOPIA Aqualis Utopia is about that moment of peace, when the world and the universe feel at one. That elusive moment when calmness and stillness prevail, serenity replaces chaos and angst and anger fall away. Utopia is about that mediative state that can be induced by a familiar refrain of music, a spectacular sunrise or the sudden recollection of a half forgotten memory. Spectacular purple flowering Jacaranda trees lines Steyn Grobler’s boyhood town of Pretoria, and honey-like Jacaranda absolute sits at the centre of this sophisticated scent, where it twists with fruity French osmanthus. Further light gourmand notes of apricot and peach add a fleshy, sweet succulence to this scent that nestles on a sophisticated base of suede and French vanilla bourbon. Utopia is all about the clarity and comfort of calm and collectedness. n Discover Utopia / Buy CODA Aqualis Coda is a climax, it represents the dramatic finish, the fragrant finale, the final flourish. Coda offers an olfactory presence that will stay with people long after they have forgotten what you were wearing. Cinnamon bark oil and pressed Egyptian bergamot create a distinctive spicy yet sweet opening. A robust rose centre of Turkish rose absolute and Egyptian rose absolute add a fleshy, velvety richness. From its unique opening, through its ruby-rich centre, Coda truly is a remarkable scent; yet perhaps the true genius of this fragrance lies in its base. Aromatic Namibian myrrh and sweet Indonesian benzoin resinoid dance a complicated dance with sensual and seductive French labdanum; dressing you for seduction even when your clothes have been shed. Discover Coda / Buy

London resident Steyn Grobler's love of fragrance started when the former model took a part time job in Harrods to help finance his studies. It was there that his eyes were opened to the world of rare perfumery. The Evolution Series of Aqualis is the first release by the South African born business graduate and it is confident and considered.