One of the most iconic fragrances of the past decade, Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb is a veritable olfactive explosion of flowers. Introduced in 2005 on the heels of the minimalist scent movement (think unisex top sellers like Calvin Klein’s CK One and Gap’s iconic single-note Grass perfume), this unapologetically bold scent all but revolutionized the fragrance industry, offering a fierce interpretation of femininity.
Described by Dutch fashion designers Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoerenas “a dream in a bottle,” the evocative, award-winning scent takes the wearer on a journey from light to lush, with an elaborate fusion of floral, fruity, musky notes. The scent opens with a fresh blend of bergamot and mandarin, opening to a decadent heart of sambac jasmine, freesia, centifolia rose, and osmanthus, and dries down to an earthy addictive base, starring amber, patchouli, vanilla, and praline.
Meant to mimic the mood-elevating powers and faceted look of the fine fragrance, the matching body soap is as intriguing as it is classic. With an elegant octagonal shape inspired by the signature bottle (which channels both a pink diamond an a grenade), Flowerbomb Soap is a display-worthy pale pink hue with a smooth satin texture, embossed with the classic V&R seal.
Promising to give off the feeling of being in your own secret garden, the fragrant body soap includes notes of sambac jasmine, centifolia rose, cattleya orchid, and ballerina freesia-perfect for mornings when you’re feeling a little blah- bloom atop a base of patchouli. An Allure Best of Beauty Award winner (like the corresponding fragrance) is defined as an oriental gourmand floral, meaning it’s not your grandma’s flower-based fragrance.
“We loved flowery scents, but they can sometimes be a bit old-fashioned if they’re too floral,” say the designers, who estimate that they sampled between 400 and 500 iterations of the scent before settling on the now-classic concoction. “We knew we were looking for this flowery feeling and something to put it on edge.”
Despite the smashing success of their debut scent, Horsting and Snoerenas remain humble and focused on empowering their wearer. “Success is a mystery, and we hoped for it, but we didn’t expect it,” says Horsting. “We like to think that apart from the fragrance, perhaps it’s the idea that it’s a positive weapon. It’s kind of a flower power that appeals to women…It’s, on the one hand, romantic and feminine and gorgeous. But, on the other hand, there’s a hard edge to it. It’s modern.”
For those fragrance lovers looking for a deeper scent experience, layering scents are truly key. We recommend beginning the process with a scented soap or shower gel, next powdering on a scented talc, then spritzing on an eau de parfum or eau de toilette atop. Take a rollerball or solid version the scent with you for your night out to stay smelling delicious all night.
By Belisa Silva