Wounded Rose 刺.

To Summer, the Chinese house that began in 2018, set out to translate the season’s heat into scent. For its 2025 Slow Summer collection, the brand commissioned veteran perfumer Frank Voelkl to capture a rose that has learned to thrive among thorns. Named Wounded Rose 刺, the limited edition promises a summer‑ready bouquet that feels both fragile and defiant, echoing the brand’s ethos of blending Eastern artistry with modern technique.

The composition opens with fennel seed’s green bite, lavender’s soothing herb, and pink pepper’s lively sting, an aromatic trio that frames the rose’s raw edge. In the heart, labdanum adds a resinous warmth, while geranium and palmarosa lift the floral core, letting the rose breathe. A base of musk, myrrh, patchouli and vetiver grounds the piece, turning the fleeting bloom into an earthy, lingering echo.

At first spray, fennel seed crackles like fresh cut grass under a midday sun, instantly followed by lavender’s calming breeze and pink pepper’s cheeky spark, an opening that feels like stepping into a garden after a summer storm. As the initial rush settles, the heart emerges: rose unfurls with a tender, slightly bruised hue, supported by geranium’s crisp green spark and palmarosa’s citrus‑green whisper, while labdanum weaves a subtle amber‑rich backdrop. The drydown arrives slower, the bright top fades, leaving a warm, earthy trail of musk and myrrh that clings to skin, softened by patchouli’s deep earthy wood and vetiver’s dry, smoky finish. The scent lingers for about four to six hours, the final whisper reminiscent of a rose petal pressed between sun‑warmed pages.

Wounded Rose 刺 captures a moment of contemporary Chinese summer culture, where traditional symbolism of the rose intertwines with modern minimalist aesthetics. The use of fennel seed and pink pepper reflects a growing interest in spice‑forward accords among younger consumers, while the lavender nods to classic perfumery. Launched in 2025, the scent arrived as part of To Summer’s Slow Summer series, encouraging wearers to pause and appreciate fleeting seasonal moments. Its moderate sillage suits both intimate gatherings and bustling city streets, mirroring the balance between personal expression and communal experience that defines urban Chinese youth culture.