Escentric Molecules: The Quiet Disruption Continues…

At a moment when many houses chase hyper-complex blends and ever louder signatures, Molecule 01 + Champaca feels serene: quiet, elegant, intellectually seductive. It arrives as Escentric Molecules marks its 20th anniversary — two decades since a tiny London brand, founded by perfumer Geza Schoen and creative director Paul White, challenged the orthodox thinking of the fragrance industry by championing the singular beauty of the isolated molecule Iso E Super.

In 2006, when Molecule 01 first appeared, it felt like a radical act of simplicity. A single aroma-molecule — Iso E Super — became the storyteller, a translucent whisper against skin that is different on everyone. Since then, the brand’s minimalist philosophy has reshaped how connoisseurs think about scent, influence and intimacy.

To commemorate 20 years of this quiet disruption, Escentric Molecules has also reimagined its classics in generously scaled 200ml anniversary editions, elevating objects as much as fragrances — minimalist flacons with architectural metal detailing that feel as modern as the scents within.

But it’s in the new release where the brand’s poetic precision truly reveals itself. Molecule 01 + Champaca — part of the M+ series that pairs Iso E Super with a single botanical — unites the airy, velvety warmth of the hero molecule with the lush, heady complexity of champaca absolute, one of perfumery’s most luxurious and rare floral materials.

Champaca’s multifaceted profile — hints of jasmine, orange blossom, tea and a creamy softness — brings unexpected depth to Iso E Super’s radiant cocoon, creating a fragrance that feels both ancient and utterly contemporary. It is floral without being ornamental, intimate without being shy — alive with quiet luminosity.

For lovers of fragrances whose impression lingers like a stolen kiss, Molecule 01 + Champaca is a luminous celebration of simplicity, complexity and twenty years of scent-making that continues to feel revolutionary.

Wearing Guide: Molecule 01 + Champaca

This is a fragrance that rewards closeness — not crowd-pleasing theatrics, but intimacy. Molecule 01 + Champaca works best when worn lightly and with intention, allowing its story to unfold slowly on skin.

Apply sparingly to pulse points where warmth does the talking: the hollow of the throat, the inside of the wrists, just behind the ears. A single spray can be enough. Iso E Super blooms with body heat, creating a soft, velvety aura that ebbs and flows rather than announcing itself outright. Champaca then drifts in — creamy, floral, faintly tea-like — like silk catching the light.

This is a fragrance for day-to-night fluidity. In daylight, it feels serene and meditative: perfect for quiet confidence at work, gallery wandering, or slow coffee moments. As evening arrives, Champaca’s sensual depth becomes more pronounced, making it a beautiful companion for skin-close dinners or candlelit conversations. Its airy construction makes it surprisingly wearable year-round — especially in summer evenings, when florals can feel overwhelming, but this remains poised and breathable.

Layering is optional but tempting. Try wearing it alone first — this is a fragrance that likes to be understood. If you do experiment, pair with clean musks or soft woods to preserve its luminosity.

Above all, wear it for yourself. This is scent as presence, not performance — one that others may notice only when they lean in.

£135 for 100ml from escentric.com