Words: Jonathan Wells
There are more memorable grooming scenes in the James Bond series of novels and films than you can shake a straight razor at. From drinking champagne during an ice-cold shower in the pages of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, to the iconic and sensual shaving scene between Bond and Moneypenny in 2012’s Skyfall, the superspy frequently gets himself into a lather – both figuratively and literally.
But one brand stands heads and shoulders – excuse the shampoo pun – above the others. Founded in the 1730s as a perfumer and barber in London, Floris is a titan of British grooming – and one favoured by 007’s creator, Ian Fleming.
Fleming was born just a few streets from the Floris Shop, on Green Street, and was brought up in the area. He would visit the shop regularly, and 89 – named for the shop number of Floris on Jermyn Street – was famously the author’s favourite fragrance.
From a 1951 recipe, No. 89 is a classic and timeless scent among the Floris collection, conjuring fresh citrus top notes of bergamot and orange and imbued with herbaceous tones of lavender. Fleming purportedly wore the scent – which boasts a floral hear with touch of spicy nutmeg and woody accord of sandalwood, cedar wood and vetiver – as he believed it epitomised the fragrance of the quintessentially English gentleman.
And, while Fleming didn’t spritz Bond with No.89, the author stocked his bathroom cabinet with some of the best-selling products of the perfumer. A passage in Moonraker reads: “Floris provides the soaps and lotions in the lavatories and bedrooms,” and in Diamonds are Forever, Floris Bath Essence is mentioned: “He would have to send a cable to May to get things fixed. Let’s see – flowers, bath essence from Floris, air the sheets…”
And the references don’t end there. In Dr No, a specific type of Floris bath essence is named, when the bathroom that Bond and Honey are able to freshen up after being captured by Doctor No is described: “There was everything in the bathroom – Floris Lime bath essence for men and Guerlain bathcubes for women.”. Bond crushes a bathcube in the water for Honey’s bath. later he takes a bath himself in the very same Limes bath essence.
Limes, a highly concentrated bath perfume with skin-softening properties, leaves you lightly scented – and ready to tangle with some of the most prolific megalomaniacs and supervillains. Presented in a smart signature glass bottle, it’s a design fit for a superspy, and after adding just a few drops to warm running water, a vibrant burst of the zest of lemon and petitgrain introduces the vibrant heart of lime blossom, neroli and a musky base.
But don’t just take our word for it, invest in the best of Floris below. After all, if it’s good enough for James Bond, it’s good enough for you.
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