Diptyque launches five new scents

The jumbled letters on Diptyque’s classic black-and-white oval label were inspired by cryptography, the names of each scent becoming a kind of visual riddle for the customer to decode. Despite the deliberate complexity of its label, the formula behind Diptyque’s success is notably straightforward: minimal design plus quality ingredients plus impactful scents equals a product that is unanimously admired. A rare object that can transcend the particularities of personal taste to become something almost everyone wants in their home.

Now, for the first time in decades, these fabled candles have been given a revamp. The changes are subtle to the eye, but took years to develop, including packaging that is now completely refillable, and a three-year-in-the-making, high-quality mineral wax blend that is created almost entirely by hand using two factories in France; one in Provence and the other in Paris. Swiss-French designer Julie Richoz was called in to make subtle adjustments to the packaging aesthetic, such as a raised glass ridge around the label, while retaining the same oval outline and monochrome print that has become the brand’s signature.

The perfumers Alexandra Carlin and Olivia Giacobetti, both of whom have created a number of scents for the brand, have also crafted five new scents for the permanent collection: black sesame, rhubarb, nettle, shiso and coffee; each of which turns the core ingredient into something both recognisable and novel. The fruity acidity of rhubarb takes on a strange brightness with the addition of wood and lemon notes; the natural freshness of shiso leaves has been mixed with almond notes and a delicate spiciness; while the watery, green quality of nettle (ortie) is combined with a rich earthiness inspired by the underbrush. The remaining scents – black sesame and coffee – are slightly more potent, with the former quickly filling the room with a rich, roasted wood perfume, and the latter echoing the warm, invigorating scent of freshly ground beans.

As with all Diptyque’s candles, the wick’s diameter and cotton braiding has been specially selected for each scent to diffuse its fragrance most effectively – a detail few people know about, but which expresses the perfectionism that underlies the brand and has helped it to endure for over 60 years. As Amanda Morgan, MD of Diptyque UK & Ireland, says, “The classic candle has always been iconic for Diptyque, since the first candles came to light back in 1963 with its notable scents from the founders of Diptyque. With this new elevated redesign, we have expanded our herbarium of scents to 51 with new exciting additions and the glass vessel will frame our emblematic oval in a new way.”