Straying Sprite is a fragrance that summons the brave spirit of courage and optimism. Inspired by Cécile Chaminade, a composer in 19th and 20th century France who defied the prevailing stereotype that women were incapable of composing serious music, Chaminade’s music played a crucial role in broadening the appeal of classical music to wider audiences. She was the first female composer to receive the prestigious French Légion d’Honneur award in 1913.
As I played a few of Chaminade’s piano pieces one autumn afternoon, I was captured by a piece called ‘L’Ondine,’ which translates to Water Sprite. Its light melody is layered over arpeggiated figures in the base, which gives the impression of water, while a poignant, choral-like harmonic progression projects sanguine curiosity. I was inspired to create a fragrance that captures the buoyant spirit of adventure, imagining the courageous, mischievous Chaminade as a water creature venturing from what’s familiar and customary into the deep, wooded forest of possibility and change.
The base of this fragrance is a resinous timberland of cedar, fir, and earthy patchouli. Crisp, dry leaves crumple beneath every nimble footstep as mushroom, sage, and white musk pull us farther from what’s safe and expected. Creamy coconut warms the misty autumnal air as rum and plum whirl in a disorienting, effervescent melody. Sweet amber grounds the reminder that although this environment may feel new and unknown, a break from the status quo can be quite refreshing.
As you wear this fragrance, I invite you to forge a path like Chaminade; courageously stand for who you are and what you believe in as you discover new and creative ways to explore and express your passions.
—Sean Colbert