Few places have captured the cultural imagination quite like California. From legendary lyrics ("I'd be safe and warm/ If I was in LA") to cinematic references including David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive, Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood and Greta Gerwig’s Ladybird, the Golden State has remained a boundless source of inspiration across all creative pillars.
Los Angeles in particular has increasingly found itself in the spotlight as an emerging fashion capital, with houses including Dior, Zegna and Hermès staging shows in the City of Angels. For SS27, Isabel Marant, Amiri, Blumarine and Balmain also looked to California’s retro appeal for inspiration. Now, beauty is catching up, with a growing wave of luxury fragrances bottling the spirit of the state.
It makes perfect sense. After all, California’s landscape is a diverse tapestry spanning snaking coastlines to sprawling deserts and the incense-filled interiors of bohemian Hollywood Hills hideaways. There is a rich sensory palette to explore.
Brands including Louis Vuitton, Celine, Byredo and Ouai are tapping into this appetite for place-inspired perfumery, offering olfactory interpretations of the West Coast that feel more evocative, and nostalgic, than your average souvenir.
Think sun-warmed woods, salty sea air, creamy coconut and citrus groves, with smoky notes and earthy accords evoking the state’s more rugged terrain. For some, California smells like SPF and salt-kissed Pacific Ocean breezes; for others, it’s the Sixties-inspired scent of vintage leather, cedarwood and earthy patchouli.
For those craving a little West Coast escapism, minus the transatlantic flight, look no further. Discover the scents inspired by California below.
Scents inspired by California:
California Dream
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton’s California Dream distils the essence of Golden State, marrying citrusy mandarin with soft musk for a sun-drenched scent that evokes the hazy romance of a West Coast sunset.
Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum, 100ml
Byredo
Inspired by the resilient flora of California’s Mojave Desert, Byredo’s cult fragrance fuses fresh Jamaican naseberry and musky ambrette with powdery violet, creamy sandalwood and cedarwood.
Eau de Parfum Laurel Canyon
Ouai
An ode to the legendary 1960s hangout, Ouai's scent boasts top notes of fig leaf, green mandarin and almond milk that are blended with heart notes of cedarwood, soft musk and tonka bean. The base is infused with jasmine, violet petals and orris root for a distinct floral yet musky fragrance.
Eau De Californie, 100ml
Celine
Celine’s Eau de Californie captures the state's dream-like essence via bright bergamot, creamy palo santo and earthy tree moss, balancing smoky woods with powdery iris for a soft, sophisticated finish.
Collection Extraordinaire California Rêverie Eau de Parfum, 75ml
Van Cleef & Arpels
Escape the drizzle with Van Cleef's Californian garden in full bloom. This floral fragrance pairs juicy mandarin with heady jasmine and creamy vanilla, mirroring the warmth of a late-summer afternoon and the ease of California living.
Big Sur Eucalyptus
D.S. & Durga Big
Head west courtesy of DS & Durga’s Big Sur Eucalyptus scent. With notes of eucalyptus, sea spray and wet wood, layered with spicy cardamom, rosemary and cypress, this earthy aroma is reminiscent of coastal groves after rain.
California Eau de Parfum
Ampersand Fragrances
Pairing zesty lemon and crisp apple with delicate florals, musk and sandalwood, this California-scented spritz is not to be missed. At under £60, it’s an affordable way to bottle some canyon sunshine.
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