S+M Fragrances x Poet and the Bench / Perfume / No. 11 Spray

No. 11 celebrates our brick and mortar location at 11 Throckmorton; our founding on the 11th month of the year (in 2015); 1+1 as a symbol of collaboration; and of duality–of beauty and physiological outcome.

What Makes it x Poet and/the Bench? We wanted an exquisite perfume, handcrafted in harmony with nature to transport us to “those moments in between” of which our Atmosphere collection is intended. We requested Jasmine, known as the king of flowers, for its luscious tenacity; the exotic, rich and earthiness of Sandalwood, tempered by the Vanilla sweetness; Black Pepper (aka black gold) for its embodiment of the Poet and/the Bench workshop grit and for its complexity: at once bright, fresh, stimulating and warm, delivering a burst of heat–a lot like love; and Tobacco was also included as we enjoy the rich, somewhat herbaceous aroma that takes us deep within the forest (in perfumery, tobacco is anything but smokey or chemical because it hasn’t actually been smoked). 

We created No. 11 in collaboration with Manuela King of S+M Fragrances using only the vitality of plants, these are distilled and highly concentrated aromatic botanical oils extracted from nature without synthetic ingredients for a clean experience.

• Product: Blended Botanical Perfume Spray: Parfum, the most concentrated form of fragrance; made from 100% Pure Natural Essential Oils and Absolutes – using only the vitality of plants – these are distilled and highly concentrated aromatic oils extracted from nature without synthetic ingredients and blended into grape alcohol. Small Batch 100% Handcrafted for a natural experience that awakens with touch.
• Gender Inclusive
• Perfume Volume – 15 ml
• Key Notes – Jasmine Flexile, Jasmine Grandiflorum, Sweet Pea Mélange, White Rose Amyris, A Blend of Fragrant Tree Barks, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Ambrette, Tobacco, and Black Pepper
• Key Experience – Jasmine is associated with love and spiritual awakening. Rose is thought to aid physiological relaxation and positive shifts in consciousness in body, mind and emotions. Sandalwood is said to be grounding and vanilla is used for calming and healing.
• Top (first impression, evaporates the fastest): black pepper; Heart (add character, complexity and harmony): jasmine, rose and sweet pea; Base (the dry down longest lasting impression): sandalwood, fragrant barks, ambrette, vanilla, tobacco (the woody ingredients)
• Sustainability – Synthetic-free, 100% natural raw materials
• How to Use – Apply freely, and often, to pulse points

Sense + Memories Fragrances by Manuela King  are limited edition niche perfumes that explore the harmonious connection to nature and our own nature. As a landscape architect, Manuela's familiarity with the botanical nature of plants and their properties influences her foundation in perfume design, with parfum, the most concentrated form of fragrance, as her sublime result. Her beautifully crafted botanical perfume oils and sprays capture the idea that nature can bring humans into a more balanced living relationship, while scent can transport you to another time and place.

Read more about Manuela King in our Conversations with an Artist series and in this deeper dive Q&A.