HYLNDS - Foxglove (2014)
by D.S. & Durga

My second try from the Hylnds quintet by D.S. & Durga, Foxglove, is a pretty agreeable blend of several florals and citrus elements, anchored by wood.

The heavy dose of white florals is in immortelle, sweet and light, and iris, only slightly powdery in this case. Neroli branches to the only true citrus note of lemon, and this floral/citrus freshness carriers the fragrance into a dry down of wood and suede, still very light and well-blended to the point that I feel slightly that I'm in the woods or near suede, but not immersed in it. It's enough to keep me interested in the notes but not taken over by them.

The floral elements might suggest that Foxglove is wholly feminine, as some have commented, but to me it's rather unisex, as this could easily fit the bill for a men's warm weather day wear fragrance. I probably wouldn't wear it for a serious and/or nighttime occasion, but it walks the line just as, say, the Hermes Jardin line does, fresh and androgynous.

It's unsurprising, given the fragrance's depiction and note breakdown, that it's not quite as stellar a performer as Bitter Rose, Broken Spear, and in that respect, it is a tougher sell at the same steep pricing of $180 for 50ml (yes, Tom Ford Private Blends routinely go for more but when they generally perform superbly, there's less of a gripe). Still, I enjoy wearing Foxglove and would do so more in warm weather if I had a bottle, but I doubt I'd splurge for a full bottle at this pricing.

7 out of 10