Lush, sweet, green and somehow never the same, the note of fig is somewhat of an anomaly in fragrance. “I definitely think fig is trending at the moment, but fig isn’t a new note in the world of perfumery,” says Ashley Boyce, co-founder of Noteworthy. “What I think is the trend right now are new approaches to fig as a note and making fig more of the show-stopper in a perfume rather than just as a complimentary note.”
Plus, Boyce says, fig can’t really be pigeon-holed into a certain time of the year. “What I love about fig in perfumes is that there is SO much of fig to explore, which makes it a great note for any season. In winter, you could lean into the rich woody notes of fig trees, but in summer, you can dial up the lush fruity notes of fig juice or lean into the skin notes or even fig leaves for a greener, fresher take on fig. There’s really no end to the ways that fig can be interpreted, which is why I think it’s so hot right now.”
Walter Johnsen, VP of Product Development at InterParfums agrees that it’s not fair to label fig as new—it’s just a bit different now. “I consider it more a new way to experience fruity fragrances,” he says. “Fig fragrances seem to stand at the crossroads of a delicious fruity scent without giving a sugary syrup feel. The fig offers the juiciness of the fruit but adds a creamy, almost sandalwood/orris element, which elevates the fragrance and makes it a great year-round option.”
Johnsen thinks the note is such a great option, that he based a popular collection on it. “When I was working on the Donna Karan Cashmere Collection, I had just returned from a business trip in Italy and figs were everywhere. I couldn’t get enough and wanted to create something unexpected yet rooted in nature—this was the goal. The idea of fig came front and center. By adding a bit of black pepper on top for some zest, and mixing it with watery bamboo, I created a comforting, nature-driven signature, which became Donna Karan Cashmere and Wild Fig ($150), a unique addition to the collection that has been ‘eaten up’ by consumers. Pun intended!”
Like Boyce, Johnsen backs up the face that fig is a “year-round go-to,” but also serves as a perfect summer indulgence. “Fig continues to be a widely appealing ingredient with its warming and almost addicting profile that has proven to resonate with consumers. When we created the Donna Karan fragrance, it took me back to my summer visits to Italy. Fig, a delicious fruit that grows in abundance all summer throughout the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, always reminds me of summer in southern Europe. While I stand by its year-round appeal, the scent and taste of fig are particularly evocative of summer. And in the end, that’s not a bad place to take your mind in the winter months with just a spritz!”
