The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Adopt Parfums, a French house founded in 1986, has built its identity around democratic access to thoughtfully composed fragrances. In 2022, the house took a deliberate step into uncharted territory: its first gender-neutral release. The brief was direct, remove the assumptions and offer a scent with tones that could belong to anyone. The resulting fragrance, Au Pluriel, aimed to balance freshness and warmth through a composition built on bergamot, jasmine, driftwood, and tonka bean, each note chosen to contribute to a shared identity rather than lean into traditional codes.
The note selection reflects a preference for clarity over complexity. Bergamot offers immediate accessibility; jasmine provides warmth without heaviness; driftwood grounds the composition in something natural rather than synthetic. Tonka bean adds the final touch of softness, ensuring the fragrance feels approachable across a range of contexts. Worn close to the skin, the drydown reveals itself gradually, the woody-sweet combination creating a finish that works equally well in casual daytime settings or quiet evening moments.
The evolution
The fragrance begins with bergamot, a citrus note chosen for its clean, unpretentious brightness. Within the first minutes, jasmine enters the composition as the heart, arriving fully expressive rather than hesitant, bringing creamy white floral warmth that anchors the scent. The jasmine persists, shaping the fragrance for the majority of its wear time before the drydown begins to take shape. Driftwood appears as the woody foundation, mineral and textured, giving the base a slightly salty, natural quality. Tonka bean rounds the experience with vanilla sweetness, softening the wood and creating warmth that lingers close to the skin. Each stage builds on the last, the clean citrus giving way to lush floral, which then settles into something warm and Intimate.
Cultural impact
Since its 2022 launch, Au Pluriel has been embraced as Adopt’s statement on gender‑neutral perfumery, resonating with shoppers who seek a scent that defies traditional labels. Its clean‑fresh opening paired with a wood‑sweet drydown makes it a favorite for urban creatives who value subtle confidence without shouting for attention.
