Born from the heart of Seychelles, Coco de Mer isn’t just a fragrance line; it’s a living, breathing piece of cultural storytelling and an olfactory tribute to the island’s heritage.
Bringing the Spirit of Seychelles to NYC’s Scent Scene
At the end of June, we stepped into a sensory dreamland at Culture & Connection at MUSE in Harlem, where the Coco de Mer fragrance collection was on full display. MUSE (Modern Urban Sensory Experiences), founded by Kimberly Waters, is Harlem’s go-to for niche and luxury scents—and that night, it transformed into a fragrant island escape. The collection, now available in the U.S. for the first time, greeted guests with a mini “island” display showcasing its key notes: patchouli, ginger, citrus, and more.
The Cultural Heartbeat Behind Every Bottle
The collection was created by Sharon Bonne, a Seychellois Creole woman, alongside her parents. These scents aren’t just perfumes, they’re a cultural love letter. Inspired by the legendary Coco de Mer seed, the line honors its sensual shape, sacred symbolism, and cultural importance. It’s the largest seed on Earth, protected by Seychellois law, and long associated with femininity, fertility, and spiritual power. Sharon’s family developed a patented, sustainable process to extract its essence with care and respect, honoring the seed’s ecological and cultural importance.
Ode to the Islands: Exploring the Heart of Each Scent
But this collection isn’t just about rare ingredients, it’s about identity. Each scent, named in Seychellois Creole, tells its own story:
Fanm is soft, floral, and feminine.
Zonm is deep, seductive, and masculine.
Lodas bursts with citrus and spice, like sunshine in a bottle.
Sovaz smells like freedom—fresh and wild.
And Oud is smoky, mysterious, with grounded in leather and amber notes.
These aren’t just perfumes. They hold memory. Identity. A sense of place.
Now available in the U.S. and online at cocodemerfragrances.com, Coco de Mer is here to remind us that fragrance can be sacred, sensual, and deeply personal.
Follow MEFeater on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for more beauty news and updates.
