The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Floraïku's My Love Has the Colour of the Night opens with a sharp, aromatic intensity that announces itself without apology. Black pepper and pink pepper hit immediately, delivering warmth that cuts through the air with purpose. As the top notes recede, deeper elements emerge, earthy vetiver, rich patchouli, and the smoky warmth of guaiac wood that gives the fragrance its name. The composition builds layer upon layer: labdanum adds a balsamic resinous quality that softens the edges, while cedarwood introduces dry warmth that grounds the entire experience. This is a fragrance that unfolds over hours, revealing different facets as time passes, first the spice, then the earth, then the warm smoky embrace that lingers in the drydown.
Guaiac wood oil serves as the structural anchor here, providing the darkness the name promises alongside an unusual warmth. Combined with Haitian vetiver's earthy root quality, the composition builds a darkness that feels grounded rather than theatrical. Labdanum adds a balsamic resinous quality that prevents the whole thing from reading harsh, smoothing edges while adding depth. The overall effect is smoky and warm, with earthy undertones that keep everything anchored to the earth rather than floating into abstraction.
The evolution
The opening strikes immediately, black pepper and pink pepper deliver a warm, aromatic intensity that doesn't ease in gently. This is not a quiet beginning. The Indonesian patchouli and labdanum arrive next, steering the composition toward earthier, slightly balsamic territory. The initial spice softens but doesn't disappear; it recedes into the background like heat radiating from pavement after sunset. The heart settles into something darker. Haitian vetiver and cedarwood emerge quietly, their dry, smoky character creating projection that stays intimate rather than filling the room. Guaiac wood wraps everything in a warm haze. The drydown is where this fragrance earns its name, the guaiac wood's smokiness deepens against cedarwood's warmth, with vetiver keeping everything earthy and grounded.
Cultural impact
The Forbidden Incense collection represents Floraïku's more contemplative work. My Love Has the Colour of the Night offers a distinctive approach to smoky, earthy fragrance that differs from more conventional options. The composition builds its dark character through careful layering rather than heavy-handed intensity. Wearers who connect with this scent often appreciate its restraint, the way it develops gradually rather than announcing itself all at once. It stands apart from mainstream smoky fragrances through its unusual warmth and the way it balances earthiness with a certain softness.
The House
FloraïkuFloraïku Paris is a niche fragrance house founded in 2017 by Clara and John Molloy, the Irish-French couple behind Memo Paris. The brand draws its name from the fusion of two words: Flora, honoring the plant world and natural beauty, and Haïku, referencing the traditional three-line Japanese poetic form. Each fragrance arrives named after a haiku poem and organized into collections that pay tribute to Japanese ceremonies. The first launch in July 2017 introduced eleven fragrances. Working with perfumers including Alienor Massenet, Miroslav Petkov, Philippe Paparella-Paris, Yann Vasnier, Sarah Burri, and Sophie Labbe, the house has built a library that spans multiple collections. The Shadowing™ collection offers companion fragrances designed to layer with existing scents. The Forbidden Incense collection draws inspiration from the Kōdō ceremony, the Japanese art of appreciating incense. Initial retail distribution included an exclusive launch at Harrods in London.
The Creator
Sophie LabbéLabbé toggles effortlessly between florals andwoods, between skin-close intimacy and confident sillage. Her jasmine work, especially the Jasmin Noir pairing for Bulgari, shows a preference for richness without heaviness—amber-tinged petals, mossy depths, a warmth that never ov…
