Bella Freud Perfumes: Ginsberg and God

Bella Freud is a British fashion designer, a daughter of painter Lucian Freud and great-granddaughter of the legendary Sigmund Freud. A quick research told me that Bella Freud perfumes are quoting her fashion collection of sweaters embroidered with catchy beatnik phrases also seen on Kate Moss (Lucian Freud’s model and a long time friend) and Alexa Chung.

Bella Freud painted by her father Lucian Freud, 1981.

The perfumes. Of course, it’s neither Guerlain classic masterpieces nor something revolutionary and brand new, but I adore the whole poetic time-travelling concept and sleek cubist design of the bottles. I belong to the generation that is looking back for inspirations. Crazy floating poetry of Allen Ginsberg and counterculture of the 1960s, hoarse voice of Gainsbourg and his barefoot garçonne Jane holding a wicker basket, white wedding suit of Bianca Jagger, cinematographic stories of Michelangelo Antonioni and Frederico Fellini & his Giulietta, young Yves Saint Laurent and Zizi Jeanmaire, Andy and Edie…

My favorite of three is definitely Ginsberg is God: leather, elemi, resin, wooden notes and moss. My kind of scent.

The fragrance descriptions below are taken from official sources as I think they are perfectly describing the spirit and idea of Bella Freud fragrances. Of course, if I purchase one of them for my collection (who knows..), I may make a more personal post…

Ginsberg is God “conjures up the tousled headed poet surrounded by books and papers, the scent of green leaves and spring drifting in through the open windows. The scent is enriched with black pepper and elemi and infused with sacred woods and resins that act as the scents for temples and gods. Leaving the inner sense of serenity, which is made up of wormwood, moss and leather, this fragrance is for both men and women.”

1970 is “the hedonist, the girl dancing until dawn on the beach of Formentera, the smell of incense in the warm night air. An alchemy of rich and tenacious accords celebrate the essence of cultural style and freedom. Elegant rose de mai and saffron lift the heart and spirit of this composition with a base accord that simmers with ingredients of frankincense, myrrh and benzoin with hints of blonde woods that are cool and clear.”

Je t’aime Jane is “girlish and playful, leaving a trail of delicate intrigue. She is the free spirit with a guitar, a baby and long bare legs. Ultra femininity has been captured with jasmine night flower absolute, queen of the night flower, ylang ylang and orange blossom. A romantic and seductive base accord of black oud, sandalwood with a hint of powder-musk leaves its magnetic trail wherever she goes.”

Perfumer: Azzi Glasser
Size: 50ml/ 1.7fl.oz.
Official website price: £75.00/ €105/ $115