27 87: independent perfumery from Barcelona
Romy Kowalewski founded 27 87 in Barcelona in 2016, and the house states that its fragrances are produced entirely in the city. The brand calls itself independent and progressive and looks for accords that traditional perfumery avoids, such as red bell pepper or banana. For the house, a perfume should be listened to from beginning to end, like a piece of music, rather than judged by reading the notes. Each box is designed by an artist as an extension of the perfume's character. The compositions are created in collaboration with outside noses, and the house states that its formulas are vegan and cruelty free, without parabens, phthalates, silicones or sulfates.
Per sē, the olfactory logo of 27 87
With Per sē, the house translates its own identity into a perfume. It calls it an olfactory logo and keeps it apart, in the Olfactive Logo line, outside the four groups tied to moods. It opens with violet leaves and pink pepper, has a heart of orris butter and bamboo, and a musk base.
The eaux de parfum in the catalog
The house divides the collection into four lines, each tied to a mood. Wild gathers the bold, intense perfumes that 27 87 dedicates to occasions for making an impression, and Now brings together versatile ones for every day. Go is the line of exploration and faraway places, with exotic, lively perfumes, and Calm is the line of quiet, meant to restore a sense of balance. Among the eaux de parfum in the catalog, Rule of 72 and Elixir de Bombe belong to the Wild line, Genetic Bliss to Now, Flâneur to Go and Hakuna Matata to Calm.
Flâneur: green and woody
Flâneur revolves around absinthe, green and slightly bitter, warmed by cashmere wood, linden and almond blossom, with vetiver in the base. The house describes it as contemporary and just a little melancholic, a dry yet warm perfume.
Rule of 72: leather, oud and saffron
The name Rule of 72 comes from the mathematical formula of the same name. It combines saffron and cardamom at the opening, Thai oud at the center, and patchouli and leather in the base. The house presents it as a resolute, ambitious perfume that conveys confidence without showing off.
Elixir de Bombe: spicy and gourmand
Elixir de Bombe opens with red bell pepper, ginger and mandarin and has a gourmand base of caramel and leather. The house dedicates it to exceptional moments and rare encounters and describes it as a self-assured, sensual perfume.
Hakuna Matata: fruity amber
Hakuna Matata is a fruity amber built on banana and honey, with bergamot at the top and South China jasmine in the heart. The house calls it playful, tropical and unconventional.
Genetic Bliss: the molecular perfume
Genetic Bliss is built on woody molecules such as akigalawood, belambra and creamy sandalwood. According to the house, it does not change over time and blends with the skin's natural scent, and it can be worn alone or together with the other 27 87 perfumes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of 27 87 Per sē?
27 87 Per sē opens with violet leaves and pink pepper, has a heart of orris butter and bamboo, and closes on a musk base. It is the all-gender eau de parfum that the Barcelona house presents as its own olfactory logo, and keeps apart, in the Olfactive Logo line.
What does it mean that Genetic Bliss is a molecular perfume?
Genetic Bliss is called molecular because it is built on woody molecules such as akigalawood, belambra and sandalwood, rather than on a classic pyramid. According to the house, it does not evolve over time but blends in a linear way with the skin's natural scent, and it can be worn alone or with other 27 87 perfumes.
What are the notes of Flâneur by 27 87?
Flâneur is built on absinthe, which is green and slightly bitter, together with linden, almond blossom and cashmere wood, and the dry, warm base has vetiver. The house describes it as a contemporary, visionary perfume that is just a little melancholic.
What kind of perfume is Hakuna Matata by 27 87?
Hakuna Matata is a fruity amber built on an unusual pairing of banana and honey. At the opening there is bergamot, which adds freshness, while the heart is South China jasmine. The house calls it playful, tropical and unconventional, a fragrance free of constraints.
Which 27 87 perfume should I choose if I love leather?
Leather is in the base of both Rule of 72 and Elixir de Bombe. In Rule of 72 it is joined by Thai oud, saffron, guaiac and patchouli, and Elixir de Bombe pairs it with caramel and amber, after an opening of red bell pepper and ginger.
Which 27 87 perfumes have spicy notes?
Elixir de Bombe and Rule of 72 are the 27 87 perfumes with spices at the opening. The first starts with red bell pepper and ginger along with mandarin, and the second opens with saffron and cardamom alongside cypress and geranium. Flâneur, instead, has star anise in the base, together with dry amber and vetiver.
What do the Wild, Now, Go and Calm lines by 27 87 mean?
They are the four groups into which 27 87 divides the collection, and each is tied to a mood. Rule of 72 and Elixir de Bombe are in the Wild line, Genetic Bliss in Now, Flâneur in Go and Hakuna Matata in Calm.
Why are 27 87 bottles opaque?
27 87 bottles are opaque, the house explains, to protect the quality of the fragrance. They come in the 27 and 87 ml sizes that give the brand its name, and each box is designed by an artist as a tactile extension of the perfume's character.
