The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Hyde Park arrived in 2014, designed by Maurizio Cerizza for Hugh Parsons. The brief was straightforward: translate London's largest green space into scent. Cerizza chose fig as the olfactory anchor, a bold decision that defines the composition throughout. The park's formal rose gardens informed the Damask rose and jasmine sambac heart, while the surrounding trees and open air suggested the woody, incense-tinged base. It's olfactory cartography, in the brand's signature style.
What makes this composition interesting is the fig accord running through all three stages, not just the opening leaf, but the fruit in the heart and the wood in the base. The fig accord demonstrates this rare quality of continuous presence. The result is a fragrance that feels continuous, each phase bleeding into the next rather than announcing itself and departing. It creates a cohesive aromatic narrative where the green, sweet, and woody facets of fig unfold progressively, revealing new dimensions as the scent evolves on the skin.
The evolution
The opening hits green and aromatic, fig leaf, angelica, artemisia, with a citric brightness from bergamot that keeps everything feeling awake. Pink pepper and red currant add a faint spice and fruitiness, but they're background players. Within the first hour, the rose and jasmine emerge, softening the green sharpness into something more floral and unexpectedly graceful. The fig fruit note, sweet, slightly milky, threads through here. As the fragrance develops, the base gradually takes precedence. Fig wood, amber, labdanum, and incense form a warm, resinous foundation. The interplay between the floral heart and woody base creates a drydown that balances sweetness with earthiness, while musk and patchouli settle close to the skin, extending the fig narrative into a satisfying conclusion.
Cultural impact
Hyde Park occupies an interesting space in the Hugh Parsons lineup: it's the green, approachable entry point, yet the fig-forward composition is more adventurous than it initially reads. The fig-centric approach sets it apart from traditional green fragrance conventions, creating something that rewards closer attention. For those seeking a green scent that moves beyond typical expectations, Hyde Park offers a distinctive alternative that grows more compelling with each wear.
The House
Hugh ParsonsHugh Parsons is a British fragrance house rooted in the tailoring traditions of London. Founded in 1925 by Hugh Edward Lancelot Parsons, the brand began as a manufacturer of silk ties and accessories before evolving into an exclusive fragrance house. Each scent in the collection draws inspiration from London locations, from the institutional gravitas of Savile Row and Whitehall to the bohemian character of Notting Hill and the verdant expanse of Hyde Park. The brand bridges the precision of English craftsmanship with the artistry of Italian perfumery, creating scents that evoke the distinct personalities of London's streets and neighbourhoods. The collection spans multiple decades of releases, offering fragrances that range from the classically structured Traditional to the contemporary Camden Town.
The Creator
Maurizio CerizzaCerizza's work reflects the discipline of the Roure method he absorbed early in his career. He favors working with natural materials, drawing on his family's deep expertise in extraction and distillation to inform every creation.
