We’re in a Greek state of mind …
New on our screens is The Return, a TV version of the Odyssey starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche (a match made in heaven, or rather Elysium) while Christopher Nolan’s take on The Odyssey starring Tom Holland is set for release next summer. Greek mythology, it seems, is as hot as Athens in August. It’s no coincidence that for some summers now, modern retellings of the tales of Achilles and Circe have topped bestseller lists, and gems like Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad are being rediscovered.
We’re seeing some Classical inspiration filter through to beauty, too. Perfume brand Memo Paris, co-founded by Tipperary man John Molloy, always finds inspiration in travel. Search out their Ithaque eau de parfum, named for the Greek island in the Ionian Sea that was the mythical home of Odysseus. How do you conjure up a Greek idyll in perfume? Memo turned to cedarwood, bergamot and blackcurrant, with cinnamon bark and bitter orange. It sounds legendary – and the bottle is pretty epic, too. From €130.
In a similar vein, Parisian brand Roos & Roos is set to launch a new eau de parfum this summer called Les Larmes de Tiresias, named after the blind prophet in The Odyssey. The perfume will feature earthy and evocative ingredients including pine, labdanum, juniper berries and neroli. Available from July, €195; www.fortnumandmason.com.
If you’re dreaming of the cerulean sea and pristine white buildings of the islands, consider Matiere Premiere’s spicy yet smooth Crystal Saffron scent, made with natural saffron sourced from the Kozani region of Greece in their new hair perfume (€65). Also try the eau de parfum, body lotion, and hand and body wash.
To My Ships is a brand I’ve just come across, and I love the lofty ambition of a brand declaring it’s inspired by The Iliad, Homer’s epic poem about the Trojan War (the “prequel” to The Odyssey). Especially when it’s centred on humble bodycare such as deodorant, body spray and body wash. It all sounds rather grandiose, and quite random: “Inspired by a desire for cleaner armpits, and an intention to quell olfactory overload …”
The products themselves, however, are actually pretty down to earth. The founder, Australian Daniel Bense, was previously at Aesop and Sunspel, and that minimalist aesthetic has stuck. The packaging is utilitarian in “infinitely recyclable” aluminium bottles. The Greek Gods would approve.
What also stands out is the great natural scents. The Polygonum collection smells exceptionally fresh. Polygonum is a herb that’s related to lily of the valley, and helps give the range a lovely geranium/petitgrain scent. It’s a masterclass in subtlety, transportive yet earthy. I’m dying to smell the eau de parfum (€195). And they’ve just launched a new marjoram-infused range, too.
The spray-on deodorant is especially interesting as it’s formulated with natural deodorising actives that are gentle on the skin. It’s designed to spray all over the body and even over clothes, without leaving a mark. Keep it in your bag for on-the-go spritzes. As with any natural deodorant, it takes a while for your body to adjust, so they advise using liberal application in the beginning. Personally, Modern Botany’s spray-on natural deodorant will always be my go-to because it’s Irish, smells great and is very reliable, but To My Ships is a sophisticated range that stands out in a crowded market.
It’s stocked in Liberty, London (which is generally a sign that something is special) and it’s also the amenity of choice at seriously hip London restaurant The Yellow Bittern, co-founded by Belfast-born chef Hugh Corcoran. There are also several European stockists including Merci in Paris and, best of all, they offer free delivery from their website.
Prices start from €42 for roll-on deodorant to €45 for the hand and body wash (375ml), with giant (375 and 750ml) refills available for each. Available to purchase at select stockists; www.tomyships.com.
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