The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Bram Niessink founded Fugazzi in Amsterdam in 2018 with an explicit directive to refuse safe compositions. The house builds high-concentration fragrances, typically 20% oil in EDP format, that function as emotional narratives rather than trend-driven products. Vanilla Haze arrived in 2024 as a deliberate counter-move against the expectation that vanilla-forward fragrances must open sweet and stay sweet. Niessink structured the scent around the idea of controlled indulgence, using nuttiness as the bridge between brightness and warmth.
The note progression serves a specific purpose: the opening uses nuts and citrus to establish a gourmand identity without the expected sugar rush, the heart leans on vanillin materials that feel warm rather than sweet, and the drydown rewards patience by delivering the crème brûlée effect many seek in vanilla fragrances. Each ingredient justifies its placement within the pyramid, and the higher concentration ensures the drydown phase receives as much attention as the opening.
The evolution
Vanilla Haze begins with almond and hazelnut as co-leads, softened by coconut milk into a creamy paste that sits close to skin. Mandarin orange arrives briefly to cut through the richness, then vanishes. The heart phase is dominated by vanilla and tonka bean working in tandem, creating a sweetness that feels intentional rather than accidental. Jasmine grounds the sweetness with a clean, transparent floral note. The drydown marks a shift toward a crème brûlée accord, where caramelized sugar edges meet hazelnut and vanilla warmth, sustained by musk and white amber for hours of intimate wear.
Cultural impact
The sweet-vanilla category presents numerous interpretations, but Vanilla Haze approaches warmth through a hazelnut and almond structure that gives it a different kind of depth. The coconut milk note contributes a lactonic quality, adding coolness to the composition that balances against the richer elements below. Where simpler vanilla fragrances lean on straightforward sweetness, this one builds complexity through its top and heart structure, creating something that holds attention rather than fading into background noise.
