floraïku
Japanese fragrance poetry in a French interpretation
Written by Glenn Lauritz Andersson & Denis Vasilije, fragrance experts
If you are familiar with the French perfume house Memo Paris, you may have heard of founders Clara and John Molloy and their ambition to create fragrances where poetry and our inner journeys to exotic places are the key ingredients. In their new brand Floraïku, they have drawn inspiration from the emotional power of Japanese tradition and culture, with its tea ceremonies, craftsmanship and reverence for nature.
Summary
-
Floraïku is a French perfume project founded by Clara and John Molloy, inspired by Japanese culture, aesthetics and haiku poetry.
-
Each fragrance is named after a haiku and typically composed of just a few notes highlighting nature’s beauty and Japanese ceremonial traditions.
-
The brand is defined by exclusivity, artistic craftsmanship and distinctive details such as hand-painted caps and refill options.
The Floraïku perfume project was launched in 2017 by Clara and John Molloy, creators of Memo Paris, inspired by Japanese culture and its ancient traditions linked to nature mysticism, poetry and art. The name derives from the Japanese poetic form haiku, and the fragrance names feel like lines from a poem. Each perfume is accompanied by its own haiku written by Clara Molloy, herself a poet and writer. As with Memo Paris, Clara oversees the artistic vision while John manages the business side, but whereas Memo Paris focused on personal travel memories, Floraïku centres on the magic of Japan.
Floraïku is associated with exclusivity, beauty and artistic craftsmanship – particularly the beautifully hand-painted caps and refined presentation that give the brand a profile unlike anything else on the market. The Molloys are also unafraid to think outside the box – literally. Each 50 ml bottle includes a 10 ml travel spray filled with the same fragrance, designed to fit inside the decorative cap for portability. The possibility to purchase refills without buying a new bottle reflects the brand’s environmental awareness and pioneering spirit.
In addition to perfumer Alienor Massenet – who has also created fragrances for Memo Paris – the brand has collaborated with Sarah Burri and Sophie Labb to create a fragrance library that opens the senses through nature and poetry, united with a distinct Asian signature. Most perfumes consist of only three notes and are divided into three categories – or “ceremonies” – with the line “Shadowing” as a fourth addition.
enigmatic flowers ikebana
In this category, the magic of flowers takes centre stage. And Your Lips is a sensual and playful composition featuring jojoba, musk and Turkish rose, while Just A Rose overflows with fruity, fresh floral accords of rose, bergamot and grapefruit.
secret tea and spices o cha
Here, one of Japan’s most important traditions – the tea ceremony – is in focus. Each fragrance in the series is built around different tea varieties, combined with woods and spices to create distinct expressions. I Am Coming Home contains citrus, white tea and spicy hints of ginger and cardamom, while mandarin and a Japanese Dorayaki accord create aromatic harmony in Gong.
The exceptional and highly unusual One Umbrella For Two – a masterpiece in the gourmand category – evokes the impression of freshly baked sponge cake with Japanese green matcha tea, blackcurrant and cedarwood.
forbidden incense kodo
In “Forbidden Incense Kodo” we find the brand’s darkest and deepest fragrances, often featuring wood and incense in various interpretations. The inspiration comes from the Asian “kodo” ritual of incense burning. Aromatic wood, resin and soap-like accords are ever-present, while Sand and Skin intrigues with mysterious vanilla sweetness alongside benzoin and labdanum.
shadowing
The “Shadowing” category refers to our shadow side and is often called the “red series.” Sleeping On the Roof features floral nuances, while Between Two Trees is more classic, balancing grapefruit and vetiver. Both fragrances can also be layered with others in the collection to create a unique signature scent.
