The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Lavish Gold arrived in 2017 from perfumer Thomas Fontaine. Its substance sits in the composition: an opening of bergamot and heliotrope, a floral heart gathered from iris, jasmine, rose, and raspberry, then a grounded base of tonka bean, patchouli, oakmoss, vanilla, and cedar. The bergamot lends a clean brightness, while heliotrope brings an almond-like softness to the opening. Iris gives the heart a cool, suede-like texture, and rose and jasmine add a fuller floral presence. Raspberry introduces dark, juicy sweetness, creating a subtle tension within the bouquet. As the composition settles, patchouli and oakmoss deepen the center, joined by the dry character of cedar and the warmth of vanilla and tonka bean. The name promises opulence; the scent keeps that word on a short leash.
What makes the composition worth a closer look is its refusal to keep florals and woods in separate camps. Iris gives the heart a cool, powdery composure. Rose, jasmine, and raspberry bring softness and a little red fruit. Below them, patchouli and oakmoss pull the bouquet toward earth, while vanilla and tonka bean add warmth without erasing that edge. Cedar keeps the final shape clean, which is why the result reads as ornate rather than heavy.
The evolution
The opening lands with bergamot's clean brightness, softened immediately by heliotrope's almond-like warmth. It feels polished and almost weightless at first, but not simplistic. As the citrus recedes, iris brings a cool, suede-like texture while rose and jasmine give the heart body. Raspberry slips through with a dark, juicy sweetness, giving the floral center a little tension. Patchouli then deepens everything from below, joined by oakmoss and cedar. Vanilla and tonka bean don't erase that earthy side; they round it, leaving a warm, slightly cocooned trail. Over time, the floral notes gradually give way to a denser base, where the sweet warmth of tonka bean and vanilla sits against the earthy weight of patchouli and oakmoss. Cedar adds a drier, woody edge, keeping the composition from becoming too enveloping.
Cultural impact
Lavish Gold offers a meeting point between floral warmth and earthy depth. Bergamot and heliotrope open the composition with brightness and softness, while iris, jasmine, rose, and raspberry build a nuanced floral center. The base introduces a different kind of richness: tonka bean and vanilla bring warmth, and patchouli, oakmoss, and cedar lend darker, more textured notes. Its appeal lies in the balance between clarity and depth, with a composition that can be explored through each stage of its wear.
The House
FriedemodinFriedemodin is a niche fragrance house founded by the collaboration of Nina Friede, originally from Worpswede, Germany, and Elisabeth Modin, from Stockholm, Sweden. The brand emerged in the early 2010s and has developed a collection of distinct perfumes that reflect both founders' individual sensibilities and their shared passion for artisanal perfumery. Friedemodin occupies a modest but committed position within the niche fragrance community, offering scents that range from floral compositions like Rosee de Nuit to more complex oriental constructions. The house does not appear to work with named perfumers for its releases, suggesting the founders maintain direct creative control over their formulations. Their output includes collections such as the Gold series introduced in 2017, demonstrating an interest in developing thematic fragrance lines over time.
The Creator
Thomas FontaineFontaine is drawn to natural ingredients and classical perfumery structures, favouring compositions with depth, clarity, and a sense of time embedded within them. He has demonstrated a particular skill with tuberose and rose-jasmine accords, visible across his Jean Patou work,…
