The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
In 2025 Parfums Genty released Strawberry Kiss, a fragrance that channels the brand's urban-inspired heritage rooted in 1975 Paris. The house wanted a scent that captured the carefree feeling of a summer evening spent on a balcony, where the air carries the sweetness of ripe fruit and streetlights cast their warm glow across the city. Jean-Marc Viou approached the brief by starting with a single, unwavering note: strawberry. The perfumer built outward from there, choosing peach and pear for their natural affinity with strawberry and their ability to capture the soft, golden light of a Paris dusk. Musk was the final addition, chosen to ground the fruit-forward composition in a way that felt modern rather than nostalgic.
Parfums Genty chose strawberry as the opening note because it represents a universal moment of sweetness, something both childlike and genuinely pleasurable. The addition of peach and pear was deliberate: these fruits are rarely used in perfumery as heart notes, but here they serve a specific purpose. Peach adds a velvety warmth that bridges the gap between the bright opening and the clean base, while pear lends a crisp, green-fruity quality that keeps the composition from collapsing into pure sweetness. Musk anchors the entire structure, ensuring that Strawberry Kiss wears close to the skin and feels intimate rather than performative.
The evolution
The fragrance begins with a strawberry note that arrives immediately and confidently, carrying the brightness of fruit picked at peak ripeness. Within the first fifteen minutes, peach and pear enter the composition, their softer, warmer character taming the strawberry's initial boldness into something more nuanced. Peach adds a floral sweetness that feels sun-kissed, while pear introduces a crispness that keeps the heart from becoming heavy. As the composition moves into its drydown, strawberry recedes entirely while the peach-pear combination lingers briefly before musk takes over, wrapping the skin in a clean, intimate warmth that extends the fragrance's presence well beyond its initial burst. The entire arc moves from playful brightness to gentle softness, never once overstaying its welcome.
Cultural impact
Strawberry Kiss entered the niche market at a time when fruit‑forward scents were resurging, offering a pure, single‑fruit experience that resonated with younger collectors seeking playful yet refined options. Its straightforward strawberry focus set it apart from more complex gourmand offerings, earning it mentions in boutique newsletters as a go‑to summer pick. Wearers often cite the fragrance as a reminder of carefree evenings, positioning it as a seasonal staple within Parfums Genty’s modern portfolio.
