Introduction: Fragrance at the Crossroads of Comfort & Innovation
Autumn 2025 feels like a turning point in perfumery. Sweet gourmands that once reigned supreme are evolving into savory neo-gourmands. Celebrities are elevating launches into cultural events. TikTok is rewriting the fragrance conversation. And niche houses are experimenting with formats and ingredients in ways we’ve never seen before.
From Tom Ford’s cinematic relaunch of Black Orchid with Tilda Swinton to Burberry’s Goddess and Sabrina Carpenter’s Sweet Tooth dominating TikTok, fragrance isn’t just about smelling good anymore—it’s about identity, storytelling, and being part of a cultural moment.
This feature unpacks everything you need to know about the fragrances and trends shaping Autumn 2025.
Section 1: What’s Hot Right Now — Fragrance Headlines & Buzz
Tom Ford Black Orchid Reserve
When Tilda Swinton fronted Tom Ford’s relaunch of Black Orchid Reserve at the Venice Film Festival, the fragrance world took notice. Ghost orchid, truffle, and dark chocolate anchor this new blend—opulent but more refined than the original cult classic.
Why it matters: Tom Ford has merged cinema, celebrity, and scent into one seamless story. Readers crave this crossover of luxury and art.
Jo Malone London Amber Labdanum Cologne Intense
A new smoky amber that’s already being hailed as the most “wearable luxury” of the season. Editors at Who What Weardescribe it as “warm, enveloping, and timeless.”
Why it matters: This is the kind of accessible-luxury fragrance that bridges niche artistry and mainstream appeal.
Neo-Gourmand Explosion
Savory scents are breaking through in 2025. Truffle, buttered toast, olive oil, rice, roasted nuts—once unimaginable in fine fragrance—are now commanding space on shelves.
Gourmand Boom Continues
Despite innovation, sweet perfumes are not slowing down. Vanilla, caramel, chocolate, and praline scents are still viral. TikTok’s #perfumeTok continues to glorify playful gourmands, with Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 and Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62 body mist trending daily.
Section 2: Trend Deep Dive
The Neo-Gourmand Renaissance
Perfume has always flirted with sweetness—Thierry Mugler’s Angel revolutionized the category in the 90s—but 2025 is pushing the idea further. Neo-gourmands are about balance: sugar tempered by savory, indulgence grounded in earthiness.
Examples:
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DS & Durga Bistro Waters: tomato leaf + basil + citrus.
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Etat Libre d’Orange Fat Electrician: roasted chestnut with vetiver.
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Byredo Eleventh Hour: fig + pepper + tonka bean.
Botanical Gourmands
Perfumers are leaning into edible botanicals—basil, fig, rice milk, truffle—to create scents that are comforting yet complex. This is partly driven by a cultural fascination with food sustainability and plant-based luxury.
Boozy & Bedtime Perfumes
Beyond gourmands, 2025 has seen a rise in:
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Boozy notes: Cognac, whiskey, and rum are trending in evening fragrances.
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Bedtime perfumes: Soft lavender, milk, and cashmere blends designed for pre-sleep rituals.
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Solid & functional formats: Eco-friendly, travel-friendly perfumes like balms, sticks, and foams.
Section 3: Cultural Context — Why People Want Comfort in a Bottle
Gen Z and the TikTok Effect
Gen Z doesn’t just wear fragrance—they broadcast it. From “scent hauls” to “smelling like dessert” videos, TikTok has reshaped how fragrance is marketed and consumed.
Searches for “vanilla perfume” and “gourmand fragrance” have exploded thanks to influencers linking scents with moods, outfits, and even “main character energy.”
Appetite Suppression & Scent as a Substitute
A surprising driver? The rise of GLP-1 weight loss drugs. With appetite suppressed, people turn to gourmand fragrances as an alternative indulgence. Perfume becomes “calories you can wear.”
Comfort in Times of Uncertainty
Fragrance has always mirrored culture. In uncertain times, people crave comfort, nostalgia, and indulgence—all hallmarks of gourmand and neo-gourmand creations.
Section 4: Product Spotlights
Luxury Icons
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Tom Ford Black Orchid Reserve (£150+)
Dark, decadent, with ghost orchid and truffle. A cultural statement as much as a perfume. -
Burberry Goddess (£110)
A trio of vanillas—infusion, absolute, bean—layered with cocoa and lavender. Hailed as Burberry’s most important launch in years. -
YSL Black Opium Le Parfum (£120)
Coffee, vanilla, patchouli. Still one of the best-selling modern gourmands.
Viral Favourites
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Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 (£100)
Playful, indulgent, TikTok’s sweetheart. Notes of pistachio, whipped cream, and marshmallow. -
Sabrina Carpenter Sweet Tooth (£20-30)
Chocolate + marshmallow + vanilla. Fuelled by the singer’s global fame. -
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62 Body Mist (£23.20)
Buttered popcorn + pistachio + caramel. Affordable, youthful, and addictive.
Affordable Niche-Inspired
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Oakcha Nectar Whirl ($32.95)
Caramel, coconut, patchouli. A sophisticated gourmand on a budget. -
Oakcha Berry Bonbon ($32.95)
Raspberry, pistachio, sugared violet, caramel sugar. Sweet, fruity, and cozy.
Section 5: How to Layer Gourmand & Neo-Gourmand Perfumes
Fragrance layering is one of TikTok’s most viral beauty hacks, and gourmands are perfect for it.
Layering Tips
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Start light: Body mist or perfumed lotion (Cheirosa 62, Pumpkin Crème body oil).
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Add depth: Choose your signature EDP/EDT (Lost Cherry, Afternoon Delight).
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Finish strong: Anchor with something darker (Noir Extreme, oud-based gourmands).
Trendy Layering Combos
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Cheirosa 62 + Lost Cherry → Caramel, pistachio, and cherry sweetness.
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Pumpkin Crème + Replica Afternoon Delight → Cozy spice meets madeleines.
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Berry Bonbon + Vanilla Sky → Fruity brightness grounded in creamy vanilla.
Section 6: Seasonal Edits
Autumn 2025 Essentials
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Pumpkin Crème EDP (£25)
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Replica Afternoon Delight (£49.60)
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Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 (£100)
Winter 2025 Luxuries
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YSL Black Opium Le Parfum (£120)
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Kayali Vanilla Royale Sugared Patchouli 64 (£110)
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Replica By the Fireplace (£105)
Section 7: The Future of Fragrance
Looking ahead, three trends will dominate into 2026:
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Savory Expansion: Expect more truffle, olive, and umami accords in niche launches.
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Functional Scents: Bedtime perfumes, solid sticks, and scented skincare hybrids.
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Eco-Conscious Luxury: Plant-based and refillable formats becoming the norm.
Conclusion: Sweet, Savory, and Here to Stay
From celebrity-fronted icons like Black Orchid Reserve, to viral gourmand mists like Cheirosa 62, Autumn 2025 proves that fragrance is more than scent—it’s culture, comfort, and identity.
For Fragrance Notes readers, now is the time to explore, experiment, and indulge. Whether layering gourmands for cozy nights, discovering neo-gourmands for sophistication, or grabbing an affordable viral hit, one truth stands out:
The future smells delicious.