The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Catch and Release emerged from Dawn Spencer Hurwitz's 2013 quest to translate a forest-by-the-sea feeling onto skin. Inspired by the Colorado foothills where pine scent drifts over distant water, she began with Petitgrain and Balsam Fir to echo fresh timber, then introduced seaweed-kissed rose to capture the marine edge where land meets water. The result is a fragrance that smells like standing at the treeline with the ocean visible between the trunks.
Dawn Spencer Hurwitz chose these particular notes because each represents a specific environmental impression. Petitgrain and Balsam Fir establish the forested identity, while Seaweed and the Tear accord pull in the ocean. Rose bridges the two environments, its floral character providing warmth and humanity to an otherwise natural, almost wild composition. The drydown's Choya Nakh, Hyraceum, and Oakmoss represent the beach itself, the place where sea and forest residue meet and decompose, leaving behind something complex and deeply evocative.
The evolution
The fragrance opens with the clean, bracing quality of a forest at dawn, Petitgrain and Balsam Fir creating an aromatic conifer effect that is immediately identifiable. As the top notes lift slightly, the seaweed and rose heart reveals itself, the marine element tempering the green while the rose introduces a quiet, aromatic floral presence. The Tear accord adds an uncanny realism, a saline-aqueous quality that makes the skin smell like it has been swimming. Finally, the Choya Nakh and Hyraceum drydown takes the composition somewhere more primal, warm and animalic against the earlier green and marine freshness, like skin warmed by sun after a cold dip in the sea.
Cultural impact
Catch and Release has quietly woven itself into the fabric of modern fragrance culture, resonating with both seasoned collectors and newcomers alike. Its crisp green opening evokes memories of early morning walks in pine forests, while the subtle marine undertones recall seaside breezes. Over the past few years, the scent has become a staple in boutique selections, often cited for its ability to bridge the gap between traditional woody compositions and contemporary fresh accords. Social media enthusiasts frequently pair it with minimalist fashion aesthetics, reinforcing its image as a versatile, day‑to‑evening companion.
