The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Hiram Green founded his Gouda atelier in 2013 with a mandate toward 100 percent botanical materials, a constraint most houses treat as limitation. Hiram Green treated it as liberation. Shangri La debuted in 2014 as a declaration that natural perfumery could command presence without apology. The choice of materials reflects this philosophy: citrus for brightness, peach and florals for richness, oakmoss and vetiver for depth, all working within the boundaries of botanical possibility.
The note selection in Shangri La reflects a philosophy that natural materials need not apologize for their intensity. Peach and jasmine bring lushness, rose and iris add complexity, while oakmoss and vetiver ensure the composition earns its staying power. The spicy notes bridge the gap between the bright opening and the earthy close, creating a fragrance that feels cohesive despite its dramatic shifts over time.
The evolution
The fragrance begins with citrus that announces itself confidently before yielding to a heart where peach takes center stage alongside jasmine, rose, and iris. Spicy notes in the heart add an unexpected warmth that complicates the floral sweetness. As the drydown arrives, oakmoss and vetiver establish an earthy foundation that transforms the initial brightness into something more primal and grounded, completing an arc that moves from garden to forest floor.
Cultural impact
Since its 2022 revival, Shangri La has sparked conversation among natural‑perfume enthusiasts for its daring blend of bright fruit and classic chypre depth. Wearers often note its ability to stand out in a crowd while staying true to Green’s sustainable ethos, positioning it as a modern reinterpretation of a legendary utopia.
