Bergamote-Racines

• Everyday
• Work

Bergamote-Racines explores the contrast between the bright freshness of the fruit and a darker, almost earthy side inspired by roots. This is a less dazzling bergamot, more grounded, with character.

The fragrance opens with a lively, zesty freshness, very natural, like peel that has just been squeezed. Then the bergamot quickly moves towards something drier and deeper, with rooty, slightly woody notes that add depth.

Over time, the fragrance becomes warmer, with a woody, musky base that gives it longevity and draws out this feeling of structured freshness. The whole stays balanced between energy and depth, with a real signature.

Affinessence is a French perfume house founded in 2015 by Sophie Bruneau, which turns the classic structure of perfume on its head. Drawing on more than twenty-five years of experience in olfactory analysis and an artistic background spanning dance, music and sculpture, Sophie Bruneau treats perfume as a material to be worked and shaped, rather than unfolded according to an established pattern. Her approach rests on a simple but defining idea: breaking away from the traditional olfactory pyramid. Where perfumery usually organises its creations in three stages: top, heart, base. Affinessence chooses to isolate each level and make it the very centre of the perfume. The first collection, Notes de Fond, explores deep, persistent materials such as woods, resins, musks and spices. Each creation is built around two main ingredients that converse with each other and shape the whole composition. The Notes de Cœur collection focuses on more floral, gourmand or spicy materials, worked with the same density and longevity as notes that are usually lighter. Finally, the Notes de Tête collection applies this approach to fresher, brighter accords, designed to keep a real presence on the skin.