The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
In 2024, Alberto Morillas returned to Massimo Dutti's most beloved fragrance, White Tulip & Barley. Not overhaul it. Add to it. The result is a darker evolution, one where smoky myrrh wraps around the original's musky florals like a second skin. The myrrh adds warmth and resinous depth that changes how the florals read, creating something that feels familiar yet transformed. It's a limited edition tribute to the fans, a version that builds on what came before rather than replacing it. The composition feels like a conversation between light and shadow, where each element has a role to play in the overall effect.
What makes this composition work is how the myrrh is deployed. Rather than sitting at the base, it weaves through the entire structure, appearing first as a subtle warmth beneath the florals, then growing as the brighter notes recede. The result feels like one fragrance evolving into another, rather than two notes competing. The myrrh becomes the bridge between the bright opening and the warm drydown, its smoky, resinous quality holding the composition together as the tulip and orange blossom soften into the base.
The evolution
The first twenty minutes belong to blackcurrant and bergamot, tart, bright, a little sharp. Then the tulip arrives, its powdery floral character settling into the composition. As the top notes fade, the myrrh emerges, warm and resinous, threading through the heart rather than waiting for the base. Cedar and amber come in to anchor it, adding structure without overwhelming the florals. The composition shifts from bright to intimate, the smoky warmth building gradually through the afternoon. Not quite a memory, but close.
Cultural impact
White Tulip & Myrrh represents a particular approach to fragrance creation, one that takes an existing composition and introduces new depth. The smoky myrrh shifts the character of the original White Tulip & Barley, adding warmth and resinous notes that change its overall feel. Fans of the original will find a recognizable DNA beneath the darker notes. The question is whether the additional complexity appeals to those seeking something more layered. Those who prefer the cleaner original still have access to it, while this version offers an alternative for those drawn to richer compositions.
