Stellar Dreamers

Stellar Dreamers is Ex Nihilo's 2022 eau de parfum, composed by Jordi Fernandez and launched as a Bloomingdale's exclusive. The house dedicates it to visionaries and dreamers, with a nod to the space race, but the scent itself is a study in contrasts between fruit and leather rather than anything cosmic. It opens with saffron and pink pepper, a dry, slightly sharp spice that some wearers find a touch sour for the first stretch. Plum arrives quickly and becomes the thread that runs through the whole scent. It is sweet and plush rather than juicy, and it softens the leather instead of fighting it. In the heart, tuberose gives a bright, powdery, almost bubble-gum floral edge, with rose beside it in a more polished, silky register. Underneath, leather, amber, oud and vanilla build a warm base. Leather is the loudest of these for some noses, while the oud and vanilla add depth without taking over. The drydown is often described as smoother and easier to wear than the opening. Performance is a strength. Reports are of long wear and a strong trail, so one or two sprays go a long way. It suits autumn and winter best, and evenings more than days, which makes it a better fit for dates and dressed-up occasions than a quiet office. Although it is sold as unisex, wearers lean slightly towards women, and several men say they would wear it happily if they are comfortable with florals. The common reservations are that the fruity-leather idea feels familiar, that the opening can read sharp or sour, and that the price is high for what it is. If you like leather with sweetness and a floral heart, in the vein of a plush plum-and-amber evening scent, it is worth sampling before committing to 100 ml.