I was instantly intrigued when I heard that Darren Alan was releasing a new scent for spring. So, I was thrilled when he surprised me with a travel size vial of this new fragrance, Songes À Fleurs.
I love Darren’s work. Rather than following the latest perfume trends, he is interested in crafting fragrances that showcase classic sensibilities through a contemporary lens. Also, his fragrances contain high amounts of natural materials, which add depth and complexity, coming alive on the skin and revealing a different facet with each wear.
Songes À Fleurs (meaning Flower Dreams) is Darren’s tribute to blooming spring flowers, blending the spirit of the past with the vivacity of the present. It’s effervescent and powdery, but also has a dewiness, creating an elegant “scented oxymoron” that spans various olfactory families, such as eau de cologne, aldehydic, and chypre. Songes is indeed a perfect example of his ethos.
Darren’s term for the opening, “glitter”, perfectly describes Songes at first spray. The scent shimmers on the skin thanks to aldehydes bubbling among the citruses and herbs. Indeed, I see this as an aldehydic fragrance, above all else. And while aldehydic fragrances are often perceived as old-fashioned, here they add a tart, green, and slightly bitter “champagne effect” that feels entirely modern. I also love how the aldehydes convey a hint of soap, high-end soap.
The heart is a floral dreamscape, a dew-dotted, vibrant green field of transparent flowers. You’ll find many of these floral notes in vintage classics – lily of the valley, carnation, and the rose-jasmine duo. I thought I could detect hyacinth, but I didn’t see it among the listed notes.
So, I asked Darren whether this may be an undisclosed accord. “There is no hyacinth, but some of the materials in the composition can be used to make a hyacinth accord,” he said.
While I generally try not to compare fragrances, Songes À Fleurs vaguely reminds me of Guerlain Chamade’s sophisticated hyacinth essence.
The heliotrope creates a subtle powdery effect that balances the cooler components, enveloping the wearer in a dreamy and surreal mist. Later, a Mousse de Saxe accord and oakmoss add depth, opulence, and an elegant chypre finish. I expected the fizzy aldehydes to fade, but they linger throughout the scent’s duration, softening the rich base and keeping the fragrance graceful and bright.
Songes À Fleurs notes:
TOP NOTES: Aldehydes, Sweet Orange, Bergamot, Tarragon, Wormwood, Geranium Bourbon
HEART NOTES: Rose, Jasmine, Lily of The Valley, Carnation, Genet, Orange Blossom, Heliotrope, Gardenia
BASE NOTES: Amber, East Indian Sandalwood, Mousse de Saxe, Vetiver, Ambrette Seed, Vintage Deer Musk Accord, Oakmoss
If you want to learn about Darren’s work and perfume journey, read my blog article and interview.
Discover the brand here.
I am grateful to Darren for sending me a lovely 10 ml bottle of Songes À Fleurs.
Photos by me.
