The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Fairytale Garden came from MetaScent's 2023 collaboration with artist and fashion designer Nguyen Hoang Ngan, drawing inspiration from her work. Perfumer Huynh Hai Yen composed a unisex floral fragrance, where apricot and mandarin orange bring the first spark, while orange blossom makes the opening feel instantly dressed for a garden in bloom. The name sets the scene, but the fragrance does the wandering. It's a limited release of 100 individually numbered bottles, giving the scent the feeling of a private keepsake rather than an everyday refill. The composition reads like a small, wearable sketch of a garden in soft focus, the kind of image that lingers on the edge of memory.
The interesting part is how its contrasts hold together. Apricot and mandarin orange bring a rounded, sunlit fruitiness, but orange blossom keeps the opening from becoming simply sweet. Jasmine, jonquil, neroli, and osmanthus give the heart a layered floral rhythm, with Turkish rose adding a darker, more polished edge. Amberwood and cedarwood provide warmth and structure, while moss keeps the final impression grounded. Nothing sits still for long; the composition moves from bright fruit to airy petals, then into a woody, leafy finish.
The evolution
Fairytale Garden begins with a brisk, golden lift. Apricot gives the opening a soft, ripe warmth, mandarin orange adds a clean citrus flash, and orange blossom makes the whole thing feel freshly turned toward daylight. The fruit notes read almost like sunlight through glass, bright but with a soft, rounded edge that keeps them from feeling sharp. As the fruit recedes, the heart opens wider: jasmine and neroli bring airy white petals, jonquil adds a yellow floral brightness, osmanthus gives the bouquet a polished apricot-like shimmer, and Turkish rose places a gentle rose-colored shadow across the center. The heart is layered rather than loud, a quiet cluster of petals that seems to lean into each other. The drydown is quieter, with amberwood bringing a warm woody hush, cedarwood sharpening the structure, and moss leaving a green, earthy trace at the edge.
Cultural impact
Fairytale Garden exists as a collaboration between MetaScent and artist and fashion designer Nguyen Hoang Ngan, released in 2023 with perfumer Huynh Hai Yen behind the composition. The 100 individually numbered bottles mark it as a small, contained release, and the floral structure of apricot, mandarin orange, orange blossom, jasmine, neroli, jonquil, osmanthus, and Turkish rose gives it a clear identity within the broader category of floral fragrances. The base of amberwood, cedarwood, and moss pulls the composition toward a grounded, slightly green finish that distinguishes it from purely bright or purely powdery florals.
The House
MetaScentMetaScent is a boutique perfume studio based in Melbourne, Australia. Since opening its doors in 2017 the house has invited collectors and curious newcomers alike to step behind the counter and shape a scent that mirrors a personal narrative. The brand’s catalogue blends limited‑edition releases such as Delonix (2019) and Starry Night (2022) with a fully custom‑creation service, allowing clients to select raw materials, adjust accords and watch the formula come to life in real time. With a modest roster of fragrances that includes Chandra, Mura, Adrenaline (2023), Wildflower & Acacia (2024) and Waratah Sunset (2024), MetaScent positions itself as a laboratory of olfactory storytelling rather than a mass‑market label.
The Creator
Huynh Hai YenYến gravitates toward materials with narrative weight. Her signature work combines the fresh, mineral quality of petrichor with the creamy, slightly green notes of magnolia, creating fragrances that feel both immediate and contemplative.
