The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Once upon a Time arrived in 2022 as a unisex fragrance from Forage. No perfumer, ingredient origin, or official narrative behind this release was supplied, so the reliable starting point is the title and its composition. It sounds like an invitation into memory rather than a reconstruction of one particular story. Mandarin orange, lemon, and lime establish the bright first line: citrus fruit, a clean sparkle, and a juicy lift. Lemon verbena brings a crisp herbal edge, keeping the fruit notes green and fresh rather than letting them become purely sweet. Coconut and musk supply the softer landing, balancing the brightness with a gentle creaminess and a clean, skin-like finish.
The composition gains character from its simplest tension: sharp citrus over a creamy, musky base. Mandarin orange, lemon, and lime make the opening vivid and zesty, but they don’t define the whole fragrance for long. Lemon verbena introduces a green, almost tea-like impression at the center, keeping the brightness clean rather than purely fruity. Coconut changes the temperature of that brightness. Its creamy sweetness rounds the citrus without burying it, while musk adds a powdery softness that makes the result feel closer to skin. The combination is distinctive because it avoids the usual polished citrus sparkle or heavy gourmand route.
The evolution
The first impression is lively: citrus lifts from the skin with the clean snap of lime and lemon, while mandarin orange gives it a rounder, juicier edge. That brightness is short-lived in the best sense. Lemon verbena gradually takes over, adding a green herbal hush as the fruit recedes. The citrus notes begin to feel less sharp and more composed, with lemon verbena lending a leafy, clean texture. Then coconut starts to show through, turning the composition from sparkling to smooth and creamy. Musk is the final handoff, leaving a powdery softness that keeps the sweetness close rather than making it loud. Over the first hour, the scent moves from brightness to clean greenery; through the middle, it gathers a gentle, dessert-like warmth. By the later stages, the opening seems almost like a memory, though the musky base still carries the wear.
Cultural impact
Once upon a Time can be read as a familiar, memory-like phrase, while its composition offers a broadly appealing entry point for anyone drawn to fresh citrus, coconut, and clean musk. Mandarin orange, lemon, and lime create an immediately recognizable freshness, then lemon verbena adds a green, herbal turn. As the fruit recedes, coconut brings a smooth sweetness and musk leaves a soft, powdery finish. The result feels suited to titles, settings, or remembered moments that suggest an atmosphere without settling on one particular story, while remaining easy to explore as a bright, gently sweet unisex fragrance.
