Under the Athenian Moon

From the influence of ancient mythology to the rich tapestry of scents woven into Greek culture, Manos Gerakinis and Perfumer Christina Koutsoudaki worked closely and intertwined their own scent memories for SEΛENE, Manos Gerakinis' latest magnum opus.

The Greek Perfumer and Creative Director join us to unveil the artistry behind their latest fragrance tribute to the timeless allure of Athenian nights.

Could you share the story of how you first met and what led to the collaboration on creating SEΛENE?

MANOS: We have a few things in common that brought us together: Athens, perfumery and the British Society of Perfumers. I was very pleased to discover a Greek perfumer who is based in Greece. After meeting Christina and discovering her creations, I was enchanted by their refinement and her exquisite use of florals. My vision for SEΛENE was first captured a long time ago but it was only brought to life when I met the right person, and that was Christina Koutsoudaki.

Greek mythology plays a significant role in the naming and inspiration behind SEΛENE. Can you elaborate on how ancient Greek mythology influences your approach to perfumery and the creation of SEΛENE?

MANOS: Greece, with its rich history and culture, is part of our DNA and so, it is only natural to be incorporated in every creation even to the core of the brand. In fact, our logo which features an E and G back-to-back, not only represent my full name (Emmanouil Gerakinis) but also resembles the Delphic Epsilon: a powerful symbol used in the temple of Apollo, God of the sun in Delphi. Both Light (Eos) and Sun (Helios) have been an inspiration for many of my creations and guess what?

Their mythological sibling is Selene: the Titanian goddess of the moon who travels the heavens with her chariot. What better way to describe the scent of a night walk in the capital of Greece, Athens under the spell of the moon?

Greece has also a rich cultural tapestry of fragrance... Are there elements that you consciously incorporated to reflect this heritage?

MANOS: Visiting Athens, let alone growing up in the city, one cannot miss the orange blossom trees that spread across. In their blooming season, their scent is intoxicating and addictive. During the summer time, nature becomes the greatest perfumer as the orange blossom (neroli) from the trees is mixed in the atmosphere with the night jasmine, which is also at full bloom. This magical night veil under the moonlight was the creative vision for the fragrance.

How did the scent memories of both your Greek heritage contribute to the composition of SEΛENE? Were there specific experiences or scents from your upbringing that played a role in shaping this fragrance?

MANOS: As a child, I spent most of my summers at my grandparents who had a garden, full of white flowers and citruses. So, these scents are very familiar and dear to me. It is actually no coincidence that I asked to include praline in the notes of SEΛENE, as a sweet reminder of my grandmother’s pastries, which she specially baked for me. You see this fragrance, is very special to me in a personal level while also for Christina, whose summer house was surrounded by bitter orange trees. The selection of notes brings back memories to her of bliss and effortless serenity.

Christina, how was your experience collaborating with Manos in creating SEΛENE? How did your unique perspectives and expertise come together in the fragrance's development?

CHRISTINA: Working with Manos was really exciting. He communicated his clear vision of what he expected from the fragrance and the feeling he would like to express through it. I really enjoyed our conversations and sharing of ideas, experiences, and memories. This helped me translate his emotions and ideas into SEΛENE. The Greek heritage that we both share, made it easier for me to understand the feeling of a warm and breezy, Athenian summer night in an open-air cinema, that Manos wanted to capture.

The creation process took a series of sampling and refinements, until we created the desired scent, but the journey is always worth it in the end.

As a perfumer, what were the most intriguing challenges you faced in creating SEΛENE?

CHRISTINA: I knew that longevity was a key element for Manos and although I wanted the fragrance to have the vibrancy of citrus fruits and the captivating scent of orange blossoms and night-blooming jasmine, it had to be very elegant and long-lasting in the drydown. This is where the combination of different musky molecules and powerful amber notes, reminiscent of ambergris, with exceptional substantivity, came to the rescue.

The composition of SEΛENE is described as a blend of diverse olfactive facets, from citrus blossoms to night-blooming jasmine, gourmand accents and woody, musky undertones... Can you share with us more about the sourcing process?

CHRISTINA: Crisp citrus oils, like that of Calabrian bergamot, give a fresh and potent, zesty, green opening to the fragrance, while seductive flowers, like that of Tunisian orange blossom and Indian jasmine were used to underscore the feminine and luxurious aspect. Delicately sweet notes were used to evoke a mouthwatering feeling and they blend harmoniously with the white flowers. Virginia cedarwood and notes of sandal are wrapped in amber and musky ingredients to give a more substantive impression.

When creating SEΛENE, what were some of the key emotions or atmospheres you aimed to capture, and how do you think these translate to the wearer's experience?

CHRISTINA: My vision for this fragrance was to capture the essence of the moon (SEΛENE) which is bright and shiny, yet dark and mysterious.

The streets of Athens are full of bitter orange trees, and during their blooming period, their captivating scent fills up the air and makes my heart smile.

There is nothing more enchanting than spending a hot summer night under the stars, in open air, wrapped around beautiful scents of trees and flowers.

With this fragrance I hope that one feels the euphoria, freedom, and nostalgia of a night escape to a secret garden in full moon.