The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
The Freedom Collection represents a collaboration between Mark Buxton and David Chieze, two creators who had been working parallel for years before deciding to combine their approaches. The project began as a conversation between two noses, an exchange of ideas that eventually crystallized into a shared vision. What emerged from their dialogue was a fragrance built on contrast and restraint, a composition that draws on materials with deep roots in ritual and tradition while maintaining a thoroughly modern sensibility on skin. The frankincense note anchors the work, providing structure without dominating the composition, allowing other elements to breathe alongside it.
Frankincense forms the backbone of this fragrance, offering resinous warmth that grounds without overwhelming. The material brings an inherent complexity that shifts subtly depending on what surrounds it, here paired with notes that amplify its more refined qualities rather than competing for attention. The bergamot in the opening provides an initial citrus lift, a bright inhale that gives way to the deeper resin note before settling into the heart.
The evolution
The fragrance opens with bergamot, clean and bright, a clear citrus note that announces the composition before transitioning into deeper territory. Frankincense arrives shortly after, resinous and present, bringing smoke that reads as warm rather than harsh or acrid. This smoke note integrates smoothly with the supporting elements rather than sitting atop them. Benzoin and labdanum contribute warmth and subtle sweetness, with a faint leather quality that adds dimension to the heart. The amber component builds gradually, providing depth that holds the mid-section together. As the fragrance moves toward its conclusion, patchouli and vanilla emerge, with the vanilla wrapping the smoke in softness while the patchouli keeps everything grounded and present.
Cultural impact
Free occupies a distinctive position within the incense-forward category, offering a perspective on smoke and resin that emphasizes restraint over projection. The bergamot opening keeps the composition from reading as purely ceremonial, introducing a brightness that grounds the deeper notes in something more accessible. This balance between ritual and modernity gives the fragrance a broad appeal, allowing it to resonate with wearers who appreciate complexity without requiring them to commit to a singular mood or atmosphere. The fragrance has found its audience among those drawn to thoughtful composition over performative intensity.
