HIRAM GREEN
ARCADIA
2022
PERFUMER
Hiram Green
Lavender
Tonka Bean
Bergamot
Spicy notes
Patchouli
Rose
Resins
Sandalwood
Jasmine
‘For this perfume I was inspired by the natural splendour of Arcadia. In this idyllic, unspoiled wilderness babbling brooks meander through mountains covered in dense forests and the air is filled with the sound of humming insects and twittering birds. Imagine the lush undergrowth that covers the forest floor. In areas where the sun manages to break through the canopy, fragrant flowers bask in the sunlight and their sweet scent intertwines with the fresh green smell of the foliage. Arcadia belongs to the classic olfactive group known as Fougère, or fern-like perfumes. As no natural fern fragrant oil exists, Fougère fragrances always consist of a combination of fragrant oils that evoke the scent of ferns. Aromatic lavender and bergamot dominate the top of Arcadia before jasmine and rose provide floral shading. Tonka bean, aged patchouli and New Caledonian sandalwood add depth to the composition.’ – Hiram Green
On first impression Arcadia feels like a very classical, slightly daring floral. It takes me back to civet-floral compositions or older Guerlains, but the daring facets are toned down. I assume the jasmine makes up a lot of that floral touch.
What really makes Arcadia is the early blast of tonka. In a sense it smells like the drydown of several fougeres, but straight from the opening. It’s not overly sweet, but it takes an otherwise green, spicy and floral scent to a place of comfort even to people who aren’t particualy in love with that style.
Texture wise Arcadia feels clean, almost minimalistic as opposed to the classics. It doesn’t have the grandose aura of Moon Bloom, Hyde or even Slowdive, instead it’s a more crisp and refreshing wear. It’s a style that I don’t often gravitate towards, but Arcadia is among the most beautiful versions of it.
Sidenote: Arcadia is being compared to Hiram’s discontinued (As of 2022 back in a new edition) Shangri La. It’s been a long time since I wore Shangri La, but I can definitely see a similar structure. At the time Shangri La reminded me of Mitsouko and it does have that peach-like scent that’s missing in Arcadia.