Byredo’s latest fragrance, Mojave Ghost, is inspired by a pale, blooming flower called the Ghost that grows despite itself in the Mojave Desert. An eau de parfum that is simultaneously complex and light, it’s gender neutral with a bold, woody theme. Light yet rustic, if it were an outfit, it would be a translucent pair of jeans (if such a thing could exist). At first spritz, it smells like crisp notes of pear sitting on top of a musky, peppery foundation, which exposes more sandalwood and cedar with wear. Those notes are balanced by an almost powdery violet that grows in intensity as the scent settles. Because of its woody and peppery complexity, I wasn’t even sure I enjoyed the fragrance.
At first I confused its airy musk with sourness and its breezy aroma with poor longevity. But in a day’s time, the uncommon scent grew on me, and I appreciated the soft wake that unfurled a few hours post-spray. A light, non-precious floral emerged as the woody scent became less sharp. The transient essence of Mojave Ghost is immortalized in a Craig McDean visual, art directed by M/M Paris. The visual, like the fragrance, is a reminder that the essence of Mojave Ghost is like a mysterious, powdery whisper of a desert in bloom.
