The Theme is "London Lark." What is the Allure of a Scent Centered on Basil?

—You describe the new Basil & Neroli as having a "sparkling, luminous finish" and an "image of a botanical garden." Why did you decide to create a fragrance using basil, an iconic ingredient for Jo Malone London, after 20 years?




The combination with neroli was the idea of Master Perfumer Anne Flipo, and we adopted it because it's a plant she has been familiar with since childhood.

—Fragrance is not yet as commonplace in Japan as it is in Europe and America. Could you offer some advice to Japanese people trying JML fragrances for the first time on how to enjoy them?

DebbieFirst, I'd encourage you to visit one of the 12 JML shops across the country and try a variety of scents. Our stylists will get to know your personal style, preferences, and lifestyle to recommend the perfect fragrance. JML has what we call scent families, and they'll help you find the ideal scent within each. Some people have very clear preferences, while others might discover something new they never would have considered. You can wear them alone, or try "combining" them, which is a JML philosophy – designing your own unique scent by layering different fragrances. I hope you'll enjoy the freedom of being an artist and creating your own signature scent.

—In Japan, people tend to have less body odor due to our diet and daily bathing habits, and we generally prefer lighter scents. For Japanese individuals new to fragrance combining with JML, what would you suggest layering with Basil & Neroli?

DebbieJML has been in Japan for eight years now, and I believe our fragrances have been warmly welcomed and embraced by many. However, for those new to JML and perhaps less accustomed to fragrance, I recommend clean, powdery scents reminiscent of soap or a fresh shower. Basil & Neroli is wonderful on its own, and Wild Bluebell, with its scent like freshly washed cotton, is also lovely. It creates a fresh, almost forest-like feeling. Personally, I like to apply the Basil & Neroli body cream first, then layer sprays like Nutmeg & Ginger or Red Roses, or English Pear & Freesia, depending on the area. The true delight of JML is being able to design a scent that surprises those who pass by. Our in-store stylists have a wealth of ideas and can recommend the perfect match based on your body temperature, preferred intensity, scent type, and lifestyle. I highly recommend visiting them for a consultation.





—Shiso is sometimes called "Japanese basil," and do you have any interest in Japanese plants (like bamboo or cherry blossoms)? How about developing fragrances inspired by them?


DebbieAs our first endeavor into developing special fragrances inspired by countries outside the UK, we actually created a cherry blossom-themed fragrance about five years ago. This is the first I'm hearing about shiso. I'd love to try it.

—You mentioned that Basil & Neroli was developed with the theme "London Lark," drawing inspiration from a playful and adventurous fresh spirit. If Tokyo were to be the source of inspiration for a fragrance, what kind of scent do you imagine it would be?



DebbieWe visit various cities and develop fragrances based on the memories we bring back. For instance, my impression of Tokyo is rain and roses. For some reason, it always rains when I visit Tokyo (laughs), and Red Roses is a popular scent here. Celine, our Head of Product Development, wants to experience the scent of a place in connection with its culture, so whenever she travels for new product launches, she always visits flower markets and spice markets to bring back ingredients. Other staff members also bring back spices and flowers from their business trips, which are then shared globally in our creative studio. In this way, we all constantly bring back and share new ingredients and ideas along with our memories, accumulating them. Even if they don't immediately spark an idea, they might be used next year. So, the shiso I brought back this time might also become a product someday (laughs).