BOLD BLEND, BOLD ART

Fragrance, like many things, is an art form at its core. That's why Penhaligon's always champions craftsmanship both at home and around the world. In this spirit, we invited Chinese artist Tango Gao to create a series of illustrations inspired by our Potions & Remedies collection. The Shanghai-born artist's signature cartoon-style has drawn crowds for over decade, and he's beautifully captured the playfulness of our collection including the latest addition, Bold Blend – a formula to break boundaries and push the wearer out of their comfort zone thanks to peppermint and palo santo. ​

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Modern Weekly sat down with Tango to explore the process and inspiration behind his illustrations for our Potions & Remedies collection.

BOLD BLEND

I once heard a friend describe kayaking as less about moving through water, and more about slipping into the scenery itself and becoming a part of it. That image stayed with me. And if we're going to wonder, why not break the rules a little? A crocodile might seem wild, but what if you could ride it and launch into an unexpected adventure at any time? Sounds pretty great, right?​

VRA VRA VROOM

Vra Vra Vroom instantly transported me to the city streets. There's something deeply comforting about pausing for a cup of coffee, letting the city slow down for a moment, and simply watch life unfold. To introduce a sense of playfulness and contrast, I imagined a Vespa with handlebars that resembled a coffee machine, almost as if coffee itself could travel through the city. It reflects the buzz and energy of the city, just like the sentiment of this fragrance.

LIQUID LOVE

For Liquid Love, I envisioned a story of passionate, grown-up love. I wanted to capture two people sharing time together infused with intimacy, humour, and a hint of rebellion. Music carries emotion effortlessly, and I wanted to blend this with the everyday warmth of cooking. It's a quiet tension between harmony and mischief. Two emotions – and two people – gently colliding.

A BALM OF CALM

Among the scents, A Balm of Calm is the one I feel closest to. It exudes a sense of calm and a deeply grounded feeling. That led me to a cinematic image: bathing in an outdoor tub with rain falling softly from the sky. It may seem contradictory, but it's an intimate gift from nature. Lying there, quietly awash with whatever memories may surface. It's a moment of stillness filled with tender anticipation.

A KISS OF BLISS​

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Inspired by the name A Kiss of Bliss, I thought about the motion suggested by four-leaf clovers. I depicted a figure standing still in the centre of a pulsing city, calmly generating their own wind. It represents an inner-vitality, a willingness to move forward on your own terms. And, running alongside, a joyful dog – because real luck, to me, is something that can be felt and shared.

EAU THE AUDACITY

For Eau the Audacity, I wanted to express a way of life that balances restraint and freedom. I imagined a scene where a person is walking their dog in a pet-free zone. It's a light-hearted rebellion, echoing the fragrances fearless spirit. Believing in life's possibilities and creating them when they don't already exist.