The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
The One and Only arrived in 2019 with a question built into its name: what does a fragrance look like when it refuses to choose sides? Christian Vermorel, the nose behind the composition, worked with a brief that sounds simple on paper, fruity, woody, distinctive, but executes with real precision. The fragrance opens with a citrus surge that feels immediate and confident, then pivots toward something warmer, woodier, more intimate. The citrus opening isn't just bergamot and lemon announcing themselves, it's an aromatic moment where mandarin adds a sweetness that keeps the citrus from reading as cleaning product. Then rosemary arrives in the heart, green and herbal, and nutmeg adds a quiet warmth that prevents the heart from becoming all greenery.
The hand-off between phases is what makes this structure interesting. The citrus opening features bergamot leading, followed quickly by lemon's sharp edge and mandarin's quiet sweetness. You smell it and something bright and confident settles into the air around you. The citrus begins to recede not dramatically but gracefully, like a guest who stays long past the obvious exit. Rosemary takes over the conversation, green and herbal, with nutmeg adding a warmth that reads as spiced rather than sweet. The lily of the valley stays quiet, more texture than character.
The evolution
The opening belongs to citrus, bergamot leading, mandarin sweetening the edges, lemon providing a sharp intake of breath. You smell it and your posture changes slightly, something bright and confident settling into the air around you. The citrus begins to recede not dramatically but gracefully, like a guest who stays long past the obvious exit. Rosemary takes over the conversation, green and herbal, with nutmeg adding a warmth that reads as spiced rather than sweet. The lily of the valley stays quiet, more texture than character. The drydown arrives with cedar and vanilla and musk, warm and close, the kind of scent that lives near the skin rather than above it. This is where the fragrance earns its name, the opening and the drydown are so different that wearing the same fragrance feels like wearing two.
Cultural impact
The One And Only arrived in 2019 as part of MAJOURI's collection, a house that draws on Middle Eastern heritage while aiming for accessible luxury. The fragrance offers a citrus-to-cedar arc that feels familiar yet refined, with a fruity, woody structure that appeals to those seeking quality without excessive complexity. Its composition balances warmth and freshness, combining citrus brightness at the opening with woody depth in the drydown. The result is a scent that maintains enough character to stand apart while remaining versatile enough for different occasions.
