In a mega fusion of art, architecture and scent, Serpentine Galleries have collaborated with Comme des Garçons on a bespoke unisex fragrance titled SERPENTINE.

Just as Serpentine Gallery’s presence in Kensington Gardens forms the ultimate urban clash, the scent plays on the paradox of greenery and the city; of nature and pollution. Christian Astuguevieille, Creative Director of Comme des Garçons Parfums, has been finely balancing notes since the mid 1970s, working with Comme des Garçons since their fragrance line launched in 1994.

“We worked on the concept of nature, having in mind the scent of lawns, plants, everything that embodies a park,” Astuguevieille explains. “We translated that idea with galbanum and irisleaf. We were also inspired by oxygen in itself and represented it with a fusion of ozone and aldehyde. Finally, the notion of city with its asphalt fragrance, which we created with black musk and nutmeg, as well as a little dash of pollution conveyed through benzoin, juniper wood and gaïac wood, gave the final touch to the fragrance.”

Marking the opening of Zaha Hadid-designed Serpentine Sackler Gallery, SERPENTINE is also a touchstone for Comme des Garçons, the Tracey Emin-designed box the first in a new series of artist projects commissioned by the house.

SERPENTINE by Serpentine Galleries and Comme des Garçons silver foil box design. 

SERPENTINE is available from 28th April from the Dover Street Market e-shop.