CharadeFloral Amber Extrait de Parfum

Charade by Sarah Baker is a unisex amber woody floral extrait de parfum, created by Andreas Wilhelm. “Nostalgia has never smelled so devilishly good,” says the house of its most classic white floral.

An artist who collaborates rather than dictates

Sarah Baker is a multidisciplinary artist—working in film, photography, and installation—and the founder of the house, based in an East London studio. Her work explores “themes of luxury, identity, and desire.” Her approach: “Working with some of the most talented noses in the business, we collaborate on our fragrances rather than dictating.” Charade is the only fragrance in the house’s portfolio entrusted to Andreas Wilhelm, and the house presents it as “our most classic composition”—a white floral that is “sophisticated and classic, with a modern edge.”

An opening of French tuberose and ylang-ylang

French tuberose is the fragrance’s heroine—the house describes it as “buttery,” and that is exactly what it is: rich, waxy, and narcotic. Ylang-ylang accompanies it, “dripping with honey.” Two white flowers, with no freshness to introduce them.

A heart of benzoin, leather, styrax, and tea

Benzoin brings its vanilla-like resin, while styrax adds a leathery smoke. Leather—“barely naughty,” says the house—and dry, tannic tea counteract the floral opulence. This is what the house calls “a surprisingly modern heart.”

A base of honey, amber, vetiver, moss, and sandalwood

Honey thickens and enlivens, while amber adds warmth. Vetiver, moss, and sandalwood form what the house calls “a timeless base.” The contrast is striking: a pre-war structure beneath a contemporary heart.

The house’s signature touch

Honey is the reason Charade is one of the house’s three non-vegan fragrances, alongside Atlante and Flame & Fortune. It is also what holds the fragrance together: without this animal-derived ingredient, the buttery tuberose and leather would have nothing to bind them.

For whom, and for what occasions?

For those who love unapologetic tuberose. Evenings, transitional seasons, and dressy occasions. A 50 ml unisex extrait de parfum. The house does not test any products on animals and formulates in compliance with IFRA standards, without nitromusks, colorants, phthalates, or organohalogen compounds.