Atkinsons 24 Old Bond Street Silken Favours

The more I discover of Atkinsons, the more I love this brand for their quirky approach to fragrance. They’re happy to declare on their website that they’re celebrating ‘200 Years Of Perfume Snobbery’. The Atkinsons emblem is a bear that has been the brand mascot since the inception of the brand. They’re jolly good at modern whimsy in their story telling, let me say, so who knows exactly where the bear began. I don’t really care to be honest because it’s like reading AA Milne and that’s always a pleasure.

“The growly bear was thoroughly devoted to James. Within mere days the utterly fantastic balm became indispensable to London’s most uppity crust, who braved the bear at the door of 44 Gerrard Street (“that marvellous perfume shop with the most terrifying bear”) to procure sufficient stock for the Social Season”. Need I say more?

24 Old Bond Street is a blend of juniper essence, rose absolute and black tea peated cask (?!). It’s an Eau De Cologne and I’d say pretty unisex, both warm and fresh on the skin. But the news is that Atkinsons has teamed with British designer, Vicki Murdoch, creative director of Silken Favours, to create a limited edition illustrated box containing not only the 100ml cologne but a beautiful silk handkerchief. The centrepiece of the bottle is also decorated silk. Fragrance collectors note, there are only 1799 pieces, and in my book, more collectors than that. It’s nominally for Christmas but I’m flagging it now so early birds who don’t want to miss out have the head’s up. You can find out more about Atkinsons 24 Old Bond Street Silken Favours and its availability HERE . (NB: Selfridges exclusive £140 and not yet on line).