As a child, I used to fantasise about owning a dressing table of my own, scattered with gorgeous bottles and jars filled with enchanting elixirs capable of turning me into the grown-up I was so eager to become. I can still recall my mother delicately misting herself with her perfume—used sparingly and reserved for momentous events—and my grandmother's collection of beautifully aromatic treasures, which I loved to play with. Each of them had a 'signature' scent they received year after year as a reliable Christmas present (both long discontinued, sadly), and if I caught a whiff of them today, I'd be whisked straight back to my younger years. Despite my early obsession with perfume, I've never truly settled on a signature scent. I've owned fragrances that capture a particular era or chapter, but none that have remained a constant in my life for more than a year or two. That said, reflecting on the past two decades, there are definitely five pivotal scents that stand out as milestones in my perfume journey, and they've moulded my preferences into what they are now. As John Lewis showcases their impressive array of fragrances and assists me in tracking down my next signature (more to come on that!), it feels like the ideal moment to revisit those perfumes that have held significance for me, and perhaps reconnect with some beloved classics.
- CAROLINA HERRERA '212' This marked the first 'proper' fragrance I ever owned, setting aside the usual teenage staples (Exclamation and Charlie, you know who you are!) that were closer to straight alcohol than genuine perfume. At roughly 15 years old, my aunt treated me to my inaugural trip to the perfume counter, where I spent the entire afternoon sampling and sniffing my way through every option before narrowing it down to my chosen Christmas present. I'll always remember the green-hued bottle and how sophisticated it made me feel, dousing my neck with it every weekend and somehow making it stretch the full year. Boasting notes of orange blossom, bergamot, white camellia, lily, gardenia, freesia, jasmine and rose, it's a scent I could easily see myself wearing two decades on. Young me clearly had excellent taste!
- JEAN PAUL GAULTIER 'LE CLASSIQUE' Unquestionably the fragrance of an entire generation, I wore this relentlessly from 16 to 19—so much so that the mere thought of it now turns my stomach. (Whether that's down to the overpoweringly rich vanilla notes or the fact it conjures up those cringeworthy adolescent years is anyone's guess!) The legendary corseted lady bottle is such a hallmark of the late 90s that it remains a top seller to this very day; I can still visualise it perched on my dressing table, reserved for special outings. It wasn't a fragrance I actively chose for myself, but rather one that was trending and purchased because of that—which accounts for why it's an outlier sweet floral amidst a collection of subtle, invigorating scents!
- DKNY 'BE DELICIOUS' Be Delicious is one of those fragrances that immediately takes me back to my younger days. The crisp apple notes and earthy base never fail to lift my spirits and send me down memory lane to evenings spent dancing until the small hours in some less-than-glamorous pub. Be Delicious represented the first perfume I selected entirely on my own, making it a symbol of independence, confidence and positivity for me. To this day, I can still recall the television commercial featuring a stunning New Yorker taking a bite out of a vibrant green apple; it was the defining fragrance of its decade and a groundbreaking entry into crisp fruity scents amid a sea of weighty florals and sugary celebrity perfumes. I was utterly captivated by every element: the distinctive apple-shaped bottle, the invigorating juice inside and the way it made me feel. This is the closest thing I have to a signature scent.
- HUGO BOSS 'ORANGE' Presented to me as a Christmas gift from my best friend, who was employed at a fragrance retailer at the time, this was precisely the sort of perfume I would have picked out myself—a testament to a brilliant friend! The bold fruity opening of apple melts into a floral heart of white blossoms and orange blossom, with base notes of sandalwood, olive tree and vanilla providing balance against the lightness. It's vibrant and contemporary and one of those scents I can't quite comprehend why I never bought again. I wore it faithfully down to the very last drop throughout my twenties, thanks to its easy charm and enduring citrus profile.
- JO MALONE 'ENGLISH PEAR & FREESIA' One of two fragrances I wore on my wedding day, English Pear and Freesia embodies everything I cherish in a perfume: crisp, uplifting, understated, refined and everlasting. I was determined to wear a scent that was authentically 'me' and harmonised beautifully with my setting, yet also one I could return to whenever I wished to relive that day; this ticked every box, particularly as it was a fragrance I'd admired for ages but could never quite justify purchasing! I'm smitten with the cosy fruity notes, tempered by the delicate florals, and how it whisks me straight back to that unforgettable day.
Our sense of smell is remarkably potent and intricately tied to memory. We often resort to describing fragrances as memories or emotions because we lack the technical lexicon, and we find ourselves transported back to specific moments in our lives the instant we inhale a scent that left its mark. Fragrance is fundamentally about emotions, impressions and recollections—and that is precisely what makes it so utterly captivating. Whether you have a signature scent, a collection of favourites or are still on the hunt for the perfume that will define you for years to come, the fragrance specialists at John Lewis possess a wealth of knowledge to share (especially in the lead-up to Christmas, the peak season for fragrance). To track down my next signature perfume, they posed a series of questions and set about identifying the one scent from their extensive range they were confident I'd adore and that would become part of my memories for years ahead. The outcome? Blu Mediterreaneo by Acqua Di Parma.
The John Lewis specialists commented: "Hayley noted that she's a devoted admirer of Jo Malone's English Pear & Freesia and Blackberry & Bay, so given her fondness for natural, woody and crisp scents, I was certain Arancia di Capri would be ideal. The unisex fragrance brims with fresh, aromatic and citrus notes, showcasing the juicy vibrancy of orange, Sicilian mandarin, bergamot and bitter grapefruit. What's more, the base notes of caramel and musk are ideal for this season, and won't lean too masculine or woody for her. I sincerely hope she adores her new Winter fragrance!"
I had always presumed Acqua Di Parma fragrances would be too dense or too 'traditional' for my taste, but the Blu Mediterreaneo is absolutely gorgeous and an ideal match for my preferences. I'm utterly charmed by the crispness of the scent and the timeless character of the notes—anise, bergamot and orange speak to my love of citrus, while green Mediterranean almond and ylang-ylang ensure the overall fragrance stays fresh and contemporary. It possesses an enduring charm and a true sense of sophistication, and the notes carry on my fragrance narrative by uniting all my beloved elements in a single stunning bottle. Despite my initial scepticism about their selection, I believe I've finally uncovered my new signature scent. Proof positive that these experts truly know their craft!
From YSL, Armani and Viktor & Rolf, to Hugo Boss, Marc Jacobs and Jo Malone, with a sprinkle of Dior, Mugler and Valentino for good measure, you'll find every brand you know and love—plus countless others waiting to be explored. Why not browse online or pop into your nearest store to uncover your very own signature scent?
It's Christmas; spoil yourself!
What are the fragrances that have defined your life? Share the perfumes you've cherished over the years in the comments section below!
Discover the John Lewis fragrance portfolio online.
This is a sponsored feature in partnership with John Lewis; all opinions are my own.
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