Discover the Artistry Behind Tokyo Spring Blossom by Sarah McCartney, Founder of 4160 Tuesdays
Since the inception of her fragrance line in 2011, Sarah McCartney has showcased her enchanting scent, Tokyo Spring Blossom, which captures the essence of spring’s beauty. This delightful perfume effortlessly transports you to a serene park filled with blooming cherry blossoms. However, the intricate process of how Sarah encapsulates that fresh, floral aroma into a wearable scent reveals a fascinating journey that goes far beyond mere inspiration. The artistry of perfume crafting involves meticulous techniques and a deep understanding of scent composition, making it a true labor of love.
In the latest edition of our Scented Letter magazine, sign up to receive your FREE digital copy directly to your inbox!, Jo Fairley highlights the enchanting world of blossoms in her seasonal fragrance feature. Within this context, Sarah McCartney shares the complexities involved in encapsulating that airy, cheerful fragrance into a bottle. She explains, “I have experimented with various blossoms throughout my career. The most technical approach involves headspace analysis, which captures the air surrounding the flowers to identify the myriad molecules they release. From there, I can reassemble the fragrance from its components. However, as an artisan perfumer, I prefer to rely on my nose and creative experimentation, leading to unique olfactory discoveries.”
“The extraction of essential oils and absolutes seldom captures the exact scent profile that blossoms emit when we immerse ourselves in their fragrance. Many volatile molecules are lost during the extraction process, which prompts us to incorporate synthetic materials to recreate the essence of fresh flowers. Interestingly, when someone mentions that a blend feels fresh, light, and natural, it is often due to the addition of Hedione – known scientifically as Methyl dihydrojasmonate.
“Tokyo Spring Blossom is one of the inaugural fragrances from 4160 Tuesdays, originally crafted in 2011 for a charity event in a quaint Tokyo café. This fragrance was created for a dear friend, Urura, whose name translates to ‘the breeze through spring blossom’. Its unique composition is enchanting, as it elicits a response where individuals often take time to decide whether they are captivated or intimidated by its unusual character. The scent combines opoponax, cabrueva, and tolu, alongside soft, violet-like ionones, pink peppercorn, rose, tangerine, geranium, and grapefruit, all underpinned by Ambrox and raspberry leaf absolute. It’s like experiencing the essence of a spring breeze through blossoms, but with a twist that immerses you in another realm of fragrance.”
Tokyo Spring Blossom £65 for 50ml eau de parfum available in our shop
Don’t miss out on purchasing your exquisite glossy print copy of The Scented Letter Magazine, featuring the complete blossom-centric article, £15 / £12.50 for VIPs.
Written by Suzy Nightingale