While my younger sister was living abroad, I would jet off to visit her any (and every) chance I got. She was based in Aix en Provence, the sun-drenched and easygoing hometown of Paul Cézanne and Émile Zola. This
petite ville is a veritable portrait of laid-back leisure complete with cobblestone streets, fountains that cast lazy mists, and café terraces filled with people enjoying chèvre chaud and the local rosé (which is cheaper than water, naturally). Suffice to say, I adore Aix en Provence. When this
seductive unisex perfume— a blend of lavender (obviously) mixed with citrus, palm leaf accord, clary sage, sensual woods and tonka bean—arrived on my desk, the scent instantly transported me to the sun-dappled market place the heart of town. (Never mind that Tom Ford describes the scent as being “inspired by California to perfectly capture its sparkling sunlight, natural blossoms and expansive coastlines.” Perhaps the California and Provençal lifestyles are more similar than I thought.) I wore the scent down to the very last drop, and of all the fragrances I’ve ever worn, this is the one that I’ll be going back to Holt Renfrew to restock. Admittedly, it’s a tad pricey ($225 for 50 mL), but finding a beloved scent is an investment. Sometimes, you’ve just got to treat yourself to a touch of laid-back luxury.
Tom Ford Lavender Palm, available at Holt Renfrew.