The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Open Mind arrived in 2021 from Karine Dubreuil-Sereni. The brief was simple in concept, difficult in execution: create a woody aquatic that felt intentional rather than incidental, a scent that could exist in the same universe as a slow cup of tea and a moment of genuine quiet. Dubreuil-Sereni's solution layered Japanese Gyokuro tea against hinoki cypress, two materials that anchor the composition in a quiet, mineral-forward space. Lime and melon provided the opening clarity, bright and citrus-forward without veering into anything synthetic or overripe. The melon keeps the lime from becoming too sharp, adding a subtle succulence that grounds the initial burst.
The Gyokuro and hinoki pairing is the structural core here, combined to create something that reads as contemplative rather than decorative. Rock samphire (Crithmum maritimum) adds a mineral-salty dimension that's rare in perfumery, usually relegated to niche botanical houses. It bridges the fresh opening and warm base without allowing either to dominate. The base layers blue cypress against guaiac wood, two warm materials with different textures. Blue cypress brings a dry, slightly resinous quality that lifts the composition, while guaiac wood provides depth and a subtle smoky undertone.
The evolution
The opening announces itself in seconds, lime zest, ozonic clarity, the immediate freshness of something just opened. The citrus is bright and immediate, with a mineral quality that feels clean and intentional. As the opening settles, the melon emerges, softening the citrus without diluting it, adding a subtle sweetness that rounds out the sharp edges. The heart of the fragrance reveals itself as the top notes fade: Gyokuro tea takes center stage, bringing its characteristic vegetal quality that feels like green leaves crushed between fingers. Hinoki follows, with its dry, woody warmth that feels like ancient wood. Rock samphire threads through as a mineral bridge, preventing the heart from becoming too tea-soft, adding a salty, coastal dimension that keeps the composition grounded.
Cultural impact
Open Mind occupies a specific space in the woody-aquatic category, offering a nuanced alternative to both the aquatic-fresh territory of designer fragrances and the heavy marine extremes found in niche perfumery. The Gyokuro-hinoki pairing gives it a distinctive quality that reads as contemplative and gender-neutral, appealing to those who appreciate intentionality in their scent choices. The fragrance has found its audience among wearers who value presence over performance, individuals who might pair the scent with a quiet moment of reflection rather than a social event.
