THE DROP: New Fragrances We're Loving
Four new fragrances actually worth knowing this spring, from a luxury Creed iris to an accessible Forvr Mood vanilla-oud, with AU pricing and our pick of the lot.
Spring has landed in Australia, and this week's THE DROP rounds up four new fragrances actually worth knowing about, from a heavyweight Creed iris to an accessible vanilla-oud from a beauty influencer's own line. Prices below are the brands' own US listings converted to AUD at roughly 0.696 USD per AUD, so treat the converted figures as approximate and check local stockists before buying.
Creed Iris Debonair
Creed's newest release opens with English lavender and French iris pallida, built as what the house calls an "addictive fougere floral." It's the most traditionally luxurious pick here, and the most expensive: US$360 for 50ml (approx. AU$517 at current exchange rates), or US$510 for 100ml (approx. AU$733). Explore it on Creed's own site before deciding on a size, since the jump between 50ml and 100ml pricing is steep.
Bvlgari Omnia Amethyste
A softer, more wearable entry in Bvlgari's long-running Omnia line, built around iris, ambrette, rose, vanilla and labdanum. It's priced at US$150 for 100ml (approx. AU$216), making it the best value-per-millilitre on this list, and the refillable bottle design means you're not throwing out the glass every time you finish a bottle. See it on Bvlgari's site.
Issey Miyake Le Sel d'Issey Eau de Parfum
The most distinctive release of the four. Built on a salt accord layered with incense, amber and woody notes, it's designed to evoke the sea rather than a garden or a fruit bowl, which makes it stand out in a category that leans heavily on florals and gourmands. US$120 for 50ml (approx. AU$172), and it wears equally well across genders. Full details on Issey Miyake's site.
Forvr Mood Not Your Type
The accessible pick. Forvr Mood, the fragrance line from beauty creator Jackie Aina, built this one around a whipped vanilla accord, iris and white suede, finished with oud for depth. It's US$79 for 50ml (approx. AU$114), a fraction of everything else on this list, and it doesn't smell like a budget fragrance. Available at Sephora.
Which one to try
If you want a gender-neutral luxury scent and don't mind the price, go Creed Iris Debonair. If you want something soft and floral without the luxury markup, Bvlgari Omnia Amethyste is the smarter buy. For a genuinely different signature scent heading into summer, Issey Miyake's Le Sel d'Issey is the most interesting thing on this list. And if you just want to try something new without committing to a $500 bottle, Forvr Mood's Not Your Type earns its spot on value alone. As always with fragrance, test on skin before committing, since Australian humidity changes how these all wear compared with how they're marketed.
It's also worth noting how differently these four are positioned. Creed and Bvlgari are legacy houses selling heritage and craftsmanship, while Issey Miyake is selling a genuinely unusual idea (salt as a fragrance note) rather than a brand name, and Forvr Mood is selling accessibility and a creator's personal taste. That spread is a decent snapshot of where fragrance is heading generally: the big houses still command the top of the market, but the interesting, talked-about releases increasingly come from smaller or newer names willing to try something the majors won't.
At a glance:
- Creed Iris Debonair: US$360/50ml (approx. AU$517), US$510/100ml (approx. AU$733)
- Bvlgari Omnia Amethyste: US$150/100ml (approx. AU$216)
- Issey Miyake Le Sel d'Issey EDP: US$120/50ml (approx. AU$172)
- Forvr Mood Not Your Type: US$79/50ml (approx. AU$114)
Verdict: Le Sel d'Issey is the most interesting scent here, Forvr Mood is the smartest buy, and Creed is the one to save up for.
