The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Let Me Play arrived in 2020, created by Frank Rittler for Once Upon a Fragrance. The name carries a cheeky invitation, but the composition follows through with a very specific kind of play: bergamot brightness bent around pink pepper and chocolate, followed by a composed floral and aromatic center. There are soft petals, cool lavender, and cardamom's clean heat. Underneath it all sits a warm woody base with amber, musk, and tonka bean. Rittler's achievement is making a lively citrus aromatic feel like a chapter with a little suspense, sweetness, and self-possession.
The unusual part is the contrast, not any single note. Chocolate brings a rounded sweetness to bright citrus and peppery lift, while jasmine and lily keep the center from becoming too food-like. Lavender gives the composition an elegant, recognizable edge. Cardamom adds a dry aromatic snap, and tonka bean warms the base with a gentle sweet depth. Together, these notes create something more playful than textbook-clean and more composed than a straightforward gourmand.
The evolution
The opening is quick and articulate: bergamot flashes bright, pink pepper adds rosy lift, and chocolate leaves a dark, rounded sweetness underneath. That spark softens into cardamom, jasmine, lavender, and lily, where floral air meets a cool herbal center. As the fragrance settles, woody notes and amber take the lead, while musk and tonka bean make the drydown feel warm, smooth, and gently addictive. The final impression is less citrus sparkle than polished amber, soft wood, and skin-close sweetness. It leaves a readable trail through the evening rather than shouting from across the room.
Cultural impact
Once Upon a Fragrance sits within a contemporary independent fragrance landscape shaped by emotional naming and narrative play. Let Me Play reflects that register through a title that feels cheeky and personal, while its citrus-aromatic profile places it in a familiar, wearable category. The house's broader catalog, including Kiss & Spell and Among the Stars, reinforces a romantic, storybook presentation rather than a strictly traditional luxury image.
The House
Once Upon a FragranceOnce Upon a Fragrance transforms personal memories and fleeting moments into wearable stories. Their collection of contemporary scents invites wearers into a world where fragrance becomes narrative, where each bottle holds a chapter waiting to unfold on the skin. The house appeals to those who view perfume not merely as a sensory accessory but as a form of self-expression that speaks to identity, memory, and the stories we tell about ourselves.
The Creator
Frank RittlerRittler’s style is best understood through the character of Tennis Green, his best-known creation. The fragrance is fresh, green and mineral, with the crisp immediacy of cut grass and foliage tempered by a refined, polished finish.
