The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
In 2016, Ex Voto Paris introduced the Eau de Luxe series, a ten-scent collection that treats perfume as spatial material rather than mere fragrance. Fig Tree Leaves was conceived to capture the crisp, green essence of a fig tree canopy, marrying the house architectural rigor with a botanical tribute. The perfumer selected a palette of bergamot, petitgrain, star anise, cyclamen, fig leaf, musk, and orange blossom to build a structured yet organic fragrance narrative. This was not about capturing the fruit itself but the air around the tree, the canopy that filters light and defines the space below.
The note selection reflects a philosophy of botanical authenticity rather than fruit-forward sweetness. Fig leaf serves as the architectural anchor, providing the green canopy signature that defines the fragrance. Cyclamen bridges the green with delicate floral softness, preventing the foliage accord from becoming medicinal or harsh. Star anise adds unexpected aromatic complexity, a choice that distinguishes Fig Tree Leaves from more conventional green fig fragrances. The musk and orange blossom combination in the drydown grounds the composition in clean sophistication, transforming the initial green intensity into something warm, personal, and ultimately comforting.
The evolution
The fragrance evolves through distinct phases that mirror the structure of a fig tree itself. The top notes of bergamot and petitgrain represent the initial light filtering through the canopy, bright and clarifying. Star anise adds an unexpected dimension, like the medicinal quality of the tree's sap, creating complexity within the fresh green opening. As the fragrance moves into the heart, cyclamen and fig leaf create an immersive canopy experience, the green foliage accord that serves as the composition's foundation. The drydown transforms this living green into something more intimate, with musk providing clean skin-like comfort and orange blossom adding soft white floral warmth that lingers close to the body. The journey from canopy to skin-close warmth reflects the fig tree's transition from observation to personal connection.
Cultural impact
Eau de Luxe Fig Tree Leaves arrived in 2016 as part of Ex Voto’s effort to translate spatial concepts into scent, echoing the resurgence of green aromatic trends in contemporary perfumery. Its focus on fig leaf and fresh green accords resonated with a growing consumer interest in nature‑inspired fragrances, influencing several niche houses to explore botanical foliage themes. By emphasizing a minimalist, garden‑like palette, the perfume contributed to a shift away from heavy oriental compositions toward lighter, environment‑centric narratives, reinforcing the market’s appetite for scents that evoke outdoor serenity while remaining office‑friendly.
