The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Serenity EDT arrived in 2010, composed by Steve DeMercado for Förster and Johnsen. Serenity here feels less like an empty, polished mood than a composed state with edges: green fruit first, warm spice beside it, and a white floral heart where jasmine and Lily of the Valley soften the contrast. The fragrance then gathers itself around woods, resin, labdanum, and musk. The note structure tells the story more honestly: something lively and reassuring, with enough depth to keep company. As the opening settles, fig gives way to a drier, more tactile character, and the floral heart reads less crisp than it did at first spray, folding into the woods rather than standing apart from them.
Its unusual balance comes from the meeting point of green fruit and warm woods. Fig gives the opening a rounded, juicy character, while green notes keep it leafy rather than overtly sweet. Spices add direction without turning the composition into a kitchen-cosmetics scent. Jasmine and Lily of the Valley introduce a clean floral register, but the base of balsam fir, guaiac wood, Indian sandalwood, French labdanum, and musk keeps the whole thing grounded. The result is layered for an eau de toilette, with sweetness, powder, greenery, and woody depth sharing the same space.
The evolution
The first impression is vivid and leafy, with fig carrying a rounded fruitiness while spices bring a dry, gently warm edge. Green notes make that opening feel fresh rather than heavy. As the fragrance develops, jasmine and Lily of the Valley bring a clearer white floral note, briefly making the composition feel lighter and more polished. The woods then take over, replacing the brightness of the fruit with a drier, more tactile finish. Balsam fir and guaiac wood add resinous depth, Indian sandalwood smooths the structure, and French labdanum and musk leave a warm, close trail. Over the course of a wear, the sequence moves from juicy green to soft floral, then into dry wood and resin, where it stays steady rather than changing direction again.
Cultural impact
Serenity EDT connects with a culture of naming an emotion and making that feeling wearable. Within the Förster and Johnsen line, serenity sits among courage, freedom, and happiness, each a word that carries its own character. The fragrance expresses that character directly, pairing green fig and spices with jasmine, Lily of the Valley, balsam fir, guaiac wood, Indian sandalwood, French labdanum, and musk in a composition that balances brightness with warmth and ends on a close, softly resinous note.
The House
Förster and JohnsenFörster and Johnsen is an American perfume house founded by Michael Forster and Walter Johnsen. The house introduced a fragrance collection built around personal experiences and moods, with scents including Love EDT, Surprise EDT, Courage EDT, Serenity EDT, Confidence, Happiness EDT, and Freedom EDT. Its first releases are associated with 2010, while Fragsi reports that the brand was formally introduced to the public in 2011. The name brings together its two founders, Forster and Johnsen, and gives the label an identity rooted in collaboration.
The Creator
Steve DeMercadoSteve favors a clean, linear structure that highlights a dominant theme while supporting it with subtle accents. He often starts with a strong heart—rose, jasmine, or a citrus burst—and builds a supportive base of woods, amber, or musk that adds depth without overwhelming the…
