The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Carnival was created by Suzy Larsen and launched during the 2010s. Its name suggests a collision of contrasts, and the composition follows suit. Bright citrus, green galbanum, and polished florals establish an immediate point of entry. Neroli, artemisia, ylang-ylang, and Chinese osmanthus bring green floral heat, while cedarwood, sandalwood, ambrette, and white tobacco pull the scent toward shadow and smoke. It is a fragrance built around a shift in temperature, like stepping out of bright daylight into something cooler, earthier, and more grown-up. The opening feels lucid and energetic, with citrus carrying a clean aromatic edge before the heart introduces greener florals and a dry herbal character.
The unusual part is the handoff between citrus and tobacco. Lime, pink grapefruit, and mandarin orange could have stayed bright and sparkling on their own, but Turkish galbanum introduces a resinous green edge. The heart complicates things further with neroli beside artemisia and ylang-ylang, while Chinese osmanthus adds an unusual floral texture. Cedarwood, sandalwood, ambrette, and white tobacco then make the base dry, woody, and smoky. The result feels less like a single neat category and more like two distinct moods sharing the same skin.
The evolution
The opening arrives with the snap of lime and pink grapefruit, sharpened by mandarin orange and the green, resinous snap of Turkish galbanum. At first, it feels sunny and almost fizzy, with enough tartness to keep the air moving. As the citrus fades, neroli takes the edge into a green floral middle, while artemisia adds a dry herbal edge and ylang-ylang brings creamy spice. Chinese osmanthus gives that stage a soft, apricot-like floral flicker without becoming sugary. The citrus notes gradually recede, allowing neroli and the herbs to become more textured, while ylang-ylang adds a rounded, sensuous layer among the green florals. Then the composition turns earthward. Cedarwood and sandalwood supply a polished dry base, ambrette softens it with musky skin warmth, and white tobacco leaves a smoky, faintly leathery trace.
Cultural impact
Carnival is a fragrance for the self-possessed wearer who values feeling over convention. Its appeal comes from the contrast between a bright, kinetic opening and a darker, more textured drydown, moving from citrus into tobacco, woods, and musk without losing its sense of place. The composition invites close attention as each layer takes over: green galbanum lends resinous tension, neroli and osmanthus soften the middle with floral warmth, and ambrette, cedarwood, sandalwood, and white tobacco shape the final impression.
The House
Suzy Larsen PerfumesSuzy Larsen Perfumes is an independent fragrance house based in Kelowna, British Columbia. The label began in 2007 under the name Naked Leaf Perfumes and adopted its current name in 2013. Suzy Larsen, a certified nutritional consultant, creates small‑batch scents that draw on botanical ingredients and aim to stir an emotional response. The portfolio includes niche releases such as Love Bird (2012) and a cluster of 2010 fragrances—Raincoast, Basque, Parisian Pink, Tickled Pink, Ishiki and Carnival. The brand positions itself as a natural‑focused alternative to mass‑market offerings, emphasizing hand‑blended formulas and sustainable packaging.
The Creator
Suzy LarsenIn the studio Suzy favors a minimalist palette that lets key ingredients shine. She often starts with a single essential oil—lavender, rose, or cedar—and builds around it with supporting aromachemicals that enhance texture without masking the core.
