One With The Earth With Utilykt
When we think of fragrances and perfumes, we often do not associate scent with sustainability. Most perfumes employ whatever chemicals resulted in the best smell, but, today, there is more motivation to create fragrances with ethical intentions. Icelandic heritage outerwear brand 66°North decided to do just that.
66°North is known for championing the ideology that all aspects of life are linked to nature. As of 2019, they declared they were fully carbon neutral. More recently, the brand announced the debut of their first ever unisex, Útilykt: The Scent of the Outside. It was created in collaboration with artisan perfumery Fischersund,
a family-owned perfumery run in the heart of downtown Reykjavik. From start to finish of production, Útilykt encompasses an honest dedication to bettering the environment.
One spritz of Útilykt transports wearers to an idyllic Icelandic landscape, as fresh sea air fills your lungs and brisk wind whips across your cheeks. 66°North and Fischersund created the formula with this in mind, making sure that not only is the fragrance considerate of the Earth, but also reminiscent of some of the natural world’s beautiful intricacies. “Scent is tied to so many emotions and memories,” Fischersund Perfumer, Co-founder and Icelandic musician Jónsi, states. “One ingredient can transport you instantly. I have so many memories of the Icelandic outdoors — the smell of the crisp cold on your skin and clothes, fresh cut grass and the sea and snow. It is a scent that so many Icelanders know by heart, yet it’s hard to explain. To capture and bottle this idea for our collaboration with 66North was an artistic challenge.”
Taking the natural inspiration one step further, the Fischersund team only uses natural ingredients in this scent. It is composed of indigenous medicinal herbs and oils from Iceland and it is free of all artificial additives. As such, a large part of this collaboration is paying homage to the land in which it was created. Another main element of this perfume is the element of storytelling.
In order to bolster the story behind this fragrance even more, the product is accompanied by an original musical composition — a limited-edition vinyl created by Icelandic rock band Sigur Rós. The score is interwoven with recordings from some of Iceland’s most beautiful and quaint scenic sites, solidifying the product's role as an immersive experience.
With Útilykt, take a trip to Iceland without even leaving the comfort of your home and garner a deeper appreciation for the world around you. The powerful scent and accompanying musical composition are available for purchase at 66north.com.
Where to Buy: https://fave.co/3oka87X
Article by Kayla Curtis-Evans, Contributing Sustainable Editor PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Lekha Samala, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine
Images are Courtesy of Fischersund & Courtesy of 66°North.
