I emerged from the office last night into the sort of crisp, late afternoon spring sunshine that really lifts the spirits. I hadn't even taken 10 steps, however, when snow – nay, thunderous sleet – appeared to fall on my head. Oh, sure, at least it was still daylight. But any thoughts of summer nights could not have been further from my mind. Thank goodness, then, for Louis Vuitton's brand new scents, one spritz of which is enough to transport you to the most tropical of climes.
Launching today, the three new perfumes – Sun Song, Afternoon Swim and Cactus Garden – were crafted by Louis Vuitton's master perfumer, Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud, and are all inspired by the Californian coast. This makes for fresh, uplifting scents that will make you forget how bitterly cold it is in April. Plus, LV recruited the LA-based artist Alex Israel to design the packaging, resulting in simple, beautiful bottles in bold colours. They'll make any dressing table look chic.
If you tend to lean towards citrus notes, go for Afternoon Swim, while Sun Song is more of a musky smell, mixed with bitter orange. Finally, Cactus Garden blends fresh cucumber and lemongrass with the bitterness of bergamot – if you close your eyes, you could be basking in the heat of an exotic wilderness.
Designed to deliver the freshness of a cologne and the lasting-power of a stronger perfume, these new perfumes are pretty much our only opportunity to enjoy summer vibes at the moment. At £185 for 100ml, they're certainly an investment. But they're one that will last all summer. And that's more than you can say for the sunshine.