The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
DSQUARED² has built an entire vocabulary around wood, He Wood, Rocky Mountain Wood, Ocean Wet Wood. Each one explores a different relationship between timber and terrain. Original Wood, launched in 2022, takes the freshwater angle. Daphné Bugey composed it with a focus on damp fir and open water, aiming to capture the moment a forest meets a lake. The brand's Canadian roots inform the rugged naturalism while the Milanese fashion sensibility keeps everything polished and wearable.
Balsam Fir carries specific aromatic associations with northern forests and winter air that Cardamom's spice and Violet Leaf's green brightness prevent from becoming medicinal. The aquatic opening serves a functional purpose here, it moistens the evergreen notes and keeps the woods from feeling dry or harsh. This balance between wet and woody defines the entire exercise. The Cedarwood and Vetiver pairing reinforces the naturalistic theme while Patchouli bridges the gap between fresh forest and warm skin, making the fragrance feel worn rather than sprayed.
The evolution
The opening sequence of Aquatic Notes and Violet Leaf establishes a cool, green atmosphere that feels like morning mist over water. This freshness persists as Balsam Fir enters, bringing its specific evergreen character that differs from cedar or pine. Cedarwood arrives to add structure and warmth while Vetiver grounds the composition with its earthy, root-like depth. The drydown shifts the focus from open air to intimate proximity as Patchouli anchors everything to skin, Musk adds warmth and presence, and Amber provides the finishing resinous glow that lingers for hours.
Cultural impact
Original Wood occupies a specific space in the DSQUARED² catalogue, it's an exploration of the wood theme with a freshwater perspective. Daphné Bugey composed it in 2022, creating a fragrance that approaches the forest concept differently than sharp, dry woody scents. The result is a scent that feels like a first exploration of the theme rather than a statement meant only for dedicated woody fragrance wearers. It invites discovery without demanding prior familiarity with the genre.
