The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Addictive arrived in 2024 from Hope Istanbul, a brand established in 2021, and the label alone tells you the mood. Its composition is tied to tranquil mornings and the Salacak coast, imagery that gives the fragrance a specific sense of place. Hüseyin Erdoğmuş and Julien Rasquinet are credited as the perfumers on the release. Cucumber and lavender establish the fresh character, while musk and sandalwood bring depth beneath it. Jasmine adds a floral dimension, and the inclusion of patchouli gives the green notes a darker counterpoint. Almond brings another soft, warm element to the overall scent. Each note is framed as a tribute to the city's natural beauty, a quiet and particular idea rather than a vague claim to heritage.
What makes Addictive worth a second look is the range of materials it brings together. Cucumber and lavender give the composition a fresh, green character, with the vegetable note adding a crisp, familiar quality while lavender softens the blend. Jasmine contributes a floral accent that keeps the fragrance from remaining entirely vegetal. Musk and sandalwood lend a deeper, more polished character, while patchouli introduces an earthy dimension that enriches the cooler notes. Almond adds a gentle, rounded note among the brighter and more aromatic elements.
The evolution
Addictive is built around a varied note list that gives it both freshness and depth. Cucumber brings a crisp green impression, joined by lavender for a more aromatic character. Jasmine adds a floral note to the blend, while the combination of patchouli and sandalwood gives it an earthy, woody foundation. Musk contributes a soft, clean dimension, and almond introduces a rounder warmth alongside the cooler green materials. The scent opens with clarity before settling into a more complex blend, revealing different facets as the listed notes come into focus. It feels balanced rather than one-dimensional, with the freshness of cucumber and lavender working alongside the darker character of patchouli, the smoothness of sandalwood, and the warmth of musk and almond. Each element contributes to a composition that remains intriguing as it develops on skin.
Cultural impact
Addictive places Istanbul at the center of its identity through its name and its tribute to the city's natural beauty. The Salacak coast and the idea of tranquil mornings shape the fragrance's creative frame, while its notes connect coastal freshness with the depth of patchouli, sandalwood, musk, and almond. This pairing gives the composition an appealing breadth: crisp cucumber and aromatic lavender sit alongside floral jasmine and a warmer, more grounded material mix. Rather than relying on a single defining note, Addictive builds its character through contrast, making the city imagery a fitting starting point for discovery.
The House
Hope Istanbul by Serimu KozmetiкHope Istanbul is a Turkish niche fragrance house founded in 2021, operating from the historic city that straddles Europe and Asia. The brand centers on bespoke perfume creation, drawing from Istanbul's layered cultural heritage to inform its scent narratives. Hope Istanbul has developed several signature collections, including the Historical Peninsula line, which explores the story of Istanbul from antiquity through the present day. The house produces extrait de parfum concentrations in 100ml formats, with a catalog spanning bold oriental compositions like Brown Flavors and Deep Secret to fresher interpretations such as Chilly Bomb and Submarine. As a relatively young entrant in the niche fragrance space, the brand has garnered attention among fragrance enthusiasts for its layering of warm spices, woods, and florals characteristic of Ottoman-influenced perfumery traditions.
The Creator
Hüseyin Erdoğmuş & Julien RasquinetIn the studio Erdoğmuş favors a methodical layering process: he builds a base from high‑purity essential oils, adds a heart of carefully selected absolutes, and finishes with a precise splash of synthetics that enhance longevity without masking the natural character. Rose, jas…
