Roja Dove’s scent for Chinese “Nüwa” Year?

The master perfumer honours the legend of the Chinese goddess

Some might want to create a scent based on peonies, another on rose cut with lemon.   However, British master perfumer Roja Dove likes a challenge. “I wanted to create a collection of perfumes inspired by empires,” he says. “The way empires come about is horrible, but sometimes greatly creative things can come from them.”

Nüwa (£750 for 100ml), Dove’s addictive new scent, exclusive to Harrods until the end of March, is a case in point and the second fragrance in his Imperial collection. “It was important to me that in this collection the fragrance should be based around a legend or a creative individual,” Dove explains.

According to the legend, the Chinese goddess Nüwa created humanity, music, prosperity, dance and flora. But then – disaster. A large hole in the sky threatened to destroy everything Nüwa had created. She spent seven days and nights repairing the hole, and heaven and earth rejoiced. Nüwa was then transported up to heaven in a chariot pulled by winged dragons, a scene that is illustrated in gold on the black box of Dove’s packaging. The heavy bottle lid contains Swarovski crystals in deep red with gold touches, for both colours are said to attract good fortune and deflect evil.

“Nüwa made something she was so proud of that was so precious and she understood the fragility of creating,” Dove says. “That resonated with me because I am always concerned to do everything possible to protect creativity.”

Dove interprets the legend of Nüwa into an exquisitely leathery, chypre and spicy fragrance to be worn by both men and women. Top notes are of lemon and bergamot with a heart of rose and blackcurrant bud and base notes of oak moss, cumin and orris that combine for a dramatic flourish.  

As for Chinese New Year, where might Dove celebrate the Year of the Horse? “My favourite Chinese restaurant and one of my very favourite restaurants in London is China Tang at The Dorchester.” His favourite Chinese food? “I am very lucky, as the chef knows me and sends me out food he thinks I would like. But I do love egg fried rice.”