The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Purple Water arrived as a statement of intent from Asprey London, a house that had been making things to last since 1781. Alberto Morillas was the architect: the same nose behind CK One, a fragrance that redefined what a fresh scent could be. Purple Water takes that same sensibility, accessible, genderless, unmistakably modern, and wraps it in the quiet authority of a house synonymous with craftsmanship. The name came first. The scent followed, built around a concept that refused to play by expectations.
The jacaranda note is the quiet rebel here. Not a common perfumery material, it serves as a bridge between the citrus opening and the floral heart, adding a subtle complexity that keeps the top notes from disappearing too quickly. Combined with white gingerlily, the heart has an aromatic richness that separates this from standard citrus fare. The vetiver in the base isn't the smoky, dramatic kind, it stays close to skin, earthy and dry, giving the fragrance somewhere to land after the florals fade.
The evolution
The opening hits fast, lemon and mandarin, sharp and immediate. The citrus stage lingers before the orange blossom takes over, softened by basil and the green whisper of jacaranda. The transition is smooth, almost seamless; you won't catch the exact moment the citrus hands off to the florals. As the fragrance settles into its base, vetiver and pepper arrive last, the musk keeping everything close to skin. Moderate sillage means it won't fill a room, but it won't abandon you either. The drydown offers a quiet persistence, vetiver and pepper lingering as a reminder of where the journey started.
Cultural impact
Purple Water occupies an interesting space: a heritage British house stepping into fragrance with a modern approach. It hasn't achieved the cult status of CK One or the staying power of established fragrance houses, but within its niche, refined, understated citrus for those who want sophistication without performance theatre, it holds its own. Worn by people who understand the difference between presence and projection.
The House
Asprey LondonAsprey London stands as one of Britain's oldest continuously operating luxury houses, established in 1781 by William Asprey. Originally founded as a silk printing workshop in Mitcham, Surrey, the company evolved over more than two centuries into a renowned maker of fine jewellery, silverware, leather goods and luxury objects. The house maintains its London headquarters and has held royal warrants, historically serving generations of the British Royal Family. Asprey's entry into perfumery arrived with the 2000 launch of Purple Water, introduced to coincide with the opening of their Bond Street store. The fragrance combines citrus freshness with deeper, earthy notes, reflecting the house's broader aesthetic of refined elegance with lasting substance. Asprey occupies a distinctive position among British luxury brands, offering a curated range of products that share an emphasis on craftsmanship and enduring design.
The Creator
Alberto MorillasMorillas' style is characterized by a luminous transparency and a masterful use of musks. He often incorporates citrus notes to create a bright, uplifting effect.
