The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Shakespeare in Love arrived in 2011 as A Dozen Roses literary-inspired offering, crafted by perfumer Natasha Côté-Mouzannar. The name nods to the timeless romance of Shakespeare's play, promising a scent that reads like a love story in olfactory form. Its launch coincided with the brand's debut year, establishing a foundation of romantic, narrative-driven fragrance design.
The note selection here reflects an intentional romantic logic: pear opens with youthful optimism, gardenia and jasmine deliver lush, almost theatrical floralcy, while red rose and rose provide the classic connection to the play's emotional core. Vanilla and woods form the base to ensure the finished composition feels complete rather than ephemeral, offering warmth and staying power that matches the enduring quality of Shakespeare's story itself.
The evolution
The fragrance begins with pear, a fruit note chosen for its juicy clarity and its ability to suggest sensuality without heaviness. As the opening recedes, gardenia and jasmine enter the heart phase with creamy, almost indolic intensity, their heady white-floral character commanding the composition. Red rose and rose are threaded through this heart layer, adding crimson depth and a classic romantic echo that connects to the play's love narrative. The drydown eventually resolves into vanilla and woods, a pairing that grounds the earlier floral abundance and keeps the scent anchored on skin through extended wear.
Cultural impact
Among early 2010s niche releases, Shakespeare in Love quickly became a reference point for modern rose compositions. Collectors praised its daring blend of crisp pear with a full‑bodied rose heart, setting it apart from more traditional single‑note florals. Its inclusion in A Dozen Roses’ debut year cemented the house’s reputation for experimental yet wearable scents, influencing later rose‑centric launches across the indie scene.
