The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
White Tea by Proad is part of the house's Tea collection, released in 2024. Created by perfumer Quentin Bisch, the fragrance draws from the brand's storytelling approach, translating moments and atmospheres into scent. The composition centers on a warm, honey-forward profile with white florals threading through and a soft, powdery base. White Tea as a fragrance presents itself as something approachable and intimate, balancing sweetness with restraint. The bergamot opening provides bright citrus sparkle before giving way to the honeyed heart that defines much of the wear. In the base, tonka bean and sandalwood create warmth that stays close to the skin, with musk adding body without heaviness.
Bergamot opens bright and citrusy, a familiar gesture, almost expected. Then the honey arrives and doesn't apologize. It settles in, takes over, becomes the conversation. The white florals, lily of the valley, peony, exist underneath, soft and supportive, but this is honey's show. White tea as a note barely raises its hand. The tonka bean and sandalwood in the base add warmth without weight, keeping the drydown intimate and close rather than projecting outward. The honey note dominates the heart of the fragrance, creating a rich, sweet presence that lingers through the mid-wear.
The evolution
The opening is bergamot's brightest hour, clean, citrus, a quick flash of sharpness. Honey enters like it owns the place. Not a whisper, not a hint, a statement. It holds for a significant portion of the wear, sweet and golden, occasionally parting to let lily of the valley and peony peek through before closing again. The white tea never really announces itself. You have to lean in, get close, and even then it's more of a memory of tea than tea itself. The drydown is warm and powdery, sandalwood, musk, tonka bean working together to soften everything into skin-warmth. Throughout the wear, the fragrance maintains its honey-forward character while the supporting notes shift and evolve. The citrus opening fades as the honey develops, and the white florals emerge in waves, their soft, green character adding depth beneath the honey's sweetness.
Cultural impact
White Tea presents a different approach to fragrance, one built on subtlety and restraint rather than bold statement. The honey-forward composition taps into an appreciation for edible and gourmand notes while maintaining a refined sensibility that keeps the sweetness in check. White Tea occupies a space that feels both accessible and sophisticated, working equally well for everyday wear and more considered occasions. The fragrance succeeds through its balance, offering warmth and comfort without becoming cloying or overwhelming.
