By Anton Constantinou
Mr Bond is my fictional depiction of Floris 89: an iconic citrus-woody fragrance from 1951. A dusty, dapper and traditional scent combining familiar notes of lavender, orange and neroli with a surprise twist of rose. Described as the James Bond fragrance, Floris 89 was reportedly worn by James Bond author Ian Fleming, and by actors Cary Grant and Sir Alec Guiness.
The year is 1951. Location: London. A new Britain is emerging from the horrors of war and with it, a new London. In the city lives an elegant gentleman called Mr Bond. A clean and well-mannered man with a smart look and serious personality.
Mr Bond is 35, single and lives alone. He resides in a handsome home in London’s Marylebone area where he writes, drinks, smokes and reads spy novels. John Buchan is his favourite spy author but a new writer called Ian Fleming will very soon become his number 1.
Like many readers of spy fiction, Mr Bond looks up to the men he reads about and aspires to be like them. To dress like them, walk like them and talk like them. In truth, Mr Bond is a dapper chap with a classy vibe that hits you like a luxury bar of soap. A fragrant fizz of lavender, orange, neroli and petitgrain. Dry, fresh and aromatic.
By day, Mr Bond is a Company Executive and works in an office. An insurance company with an enviable home on one of London’s grandest streets. By night, Mr Bond is mostly a hermit and can usually be found at home by the fireplace with a martini in hand.
One of Mr Bond’s favourite pastimes is gardening. He gardens most weekends and insists on flowers in the office. Roses, irises, geraniums - these are the smells that follow him during the day. As the floral wafts pass, a mossiness comes into focus, joined by the comforting smell of fresh wood. A sandalwood desk stands proud in Mr Bond’s office and alongside it, a red cedar sideboard - solid, polished and classical.
They say a classy person takes classiness with them in their stride. In Mr Bond’s case, that statement couldn’t be truer.
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