Chandrika Thomas London

Chandrika Thomas London is an independent British perfume house based in Kew, south-west London, started by a couture wedding-dress designer. Chandrika Thomas spent more than two decades making bespoke bridal gowns before moving into fragrance, and the house still works like a design studio: each perfume begins with a place, a ritual or a memory rather than a trend. The house launched its perfumes in 2014, and says it develops each one with outside perfumers and fragrance houses, then judges the result on its opening, its development on skin and its dry-down.

The range now stands at thirteen perfumes, each with its own identity rather than one house accord. Marrakesh, the house bestseller, pairs ylang-ylang, orange blossom and clove with patchouli, musk and amber. Persian Rose and Allure Rose Blossom Oud take rose in softer and darker directions. Assam Tea & Cardamom and Earl Grey & Jasmine bring tea into the citrus and spice mix, while Reminisce and Birch Leaf Patchouli & Cedarwood lean smoky and woody. Patchouli, cedarwood and amber turn up again and again in the base. Marrakesh has also grown into a diffuser, body wash and body lotion, and the house sells gift sets and discovery sets.

Chandrika Thomas London sits at the premium end of independent British perfume, and the house says its perfumes are made as extrait de parfum. It sells direct through its own website, delivers across the UK, and wraps each order in handmade gift packaging. It suits wearers who want a small, founder-led British house with a considered, slightly traditional approach to florals, tea and spice, rather than a trend-led release.