Written by Kristina Kybartaite-Damule
A flock of starlings moving across the sky at dawn inspired Birdwatcher, Floraïku’s latest addition to its Shadowing™ collection. The new perfume was introduced during an exclusive evening at Hôtel Martinez, with perfumer Sophie Labbé sharing how she translated that fleeting morning scene into an aromatic, solar citrus composition.
Clara Molloy and Sophie Labbé / Images by Darius Damulis
Hosted by founders Clara and John Molloy, the gathering celebrated Birdwatcher. Tea accompanied the presentation, with a selection inspired by Sand and Skin, Between Two Trees, and Birdwatcher itself. It felt like a fitting way to represent a house whose connection to Japan runs through both its fragrances and the rituals surrounding them.
A moment before the world wakes
Clara spoke about the peaceful experience behind Birdwatcher: watching birds at dawn, before the world has fully woken. The inspiration is a flock of starlings moving together across the sky, their shifting formations briefly catching the light.
Fragrance inspired tea
Hundreds of birds move as one, creating shapes that disappear almost as soon as they emerge. Listening to Clara, what stayed with me was the simplicity of that pleasure: taking a moment to stand still and watch.
Perfumer Sophie Labbé, who created the fragrance, also joined the presentation to explain the accords behind its aromatic, solar citrus character. Within the Shadowing™ collection, Birdwatcher takes the role of a light shadow, designed to be worn alone or paired with Between Two Trees.
The idea of a perfume capturing that quiet moment stayed with me. So did the fragrance itself.
From Cannes to Japan
Floraïku’s Japanese inspiration has always fascinated me. Each perfume has its own haiku, while the presentation recalls a bento box, with the bottle nestled inside. I always appreciated the poetry and the attention given to the creations.
Almost immediately after Cannes, I left for a long-awaited vacation in Japan. I packed a 30 ml bottle of Birdwatcher, and it turned out to be a perfect choice.
There was a lovely sense of connection in taking it there, having just heard Clara describe its inspiration. Beyond that association, though, I simply wanted to wear it. Throughout the trip, it was a fragrance I enjoyed returning to.
What Birdwatcher smells like
Birdwatcher opens with mandarin, juniper berry, and cypress: a citrusy, aromatic combination with a green freshness. What I particularly enjoy is its minty quality. There is a little sweetness to it, and none of the toothpaste association that mint can sometimes bring. That freshness never overwhelms the composition. It stays gently in the background, giving the fragrance a green, airy lift. Lavender supports the aromatic character, but it does not move towards a traditionally masculine or barbershop feel. The balance with the solar aspect keeps it softer and warmer.
And what exactly does “solar” mean in a perfume? It describes an impression rather than one particular ingredient. To me, it suggests a radiant warmth, something sparkling and uplifting, with the feeling of skin that has been exposed to the sun. In Birdwatcher, that warmth sits beautifully alongside the cooler, greener elements.
Sunshine always makes me happy, so perhaps it is only natural that I find this fragrance uplifting. It has freshness, but also enough warmth to make me want to stay close to it.
Sophie Labbé
Birdwatcher feels immediately appealing, yet it has a character of its own. That is something I appreciate across Floraïku’s perfumes: their creativity and the sense that each composition has its own identity.
For me, there is something romantic and quietly magnetic about this one. When I wear it, I keep returning to my wrist or catching its scent on my sweater, then leaning in again. It is the kind of perfume that makes me want another smell even when I have just smelled it.
The presentation in Cannes gave me its story; wearing it in Japan gave me my own connection to it. Birdwatcher is, without a doubt, one of my favourite releases this year. Considering how many perfumes I discover through my work, that means quite a lot.