The latest release from Sarah Baker, Prism Head, is a bold patchouli fragrance with accords of damp earth (geosmin), cannabis and mushrooms. Psychedelic and daring, the scent showcases perfumer Miguel Matos' skill in conjuring the cool loam of the forest floor with exciting realism. To celebrate the release of the scent he's let us in on a few of his secrets.
Pair this article with the latest video from The Perfume Guy - Sebastian Jara - featuring Sarah Baker. In the video, the difference between petrichor and geosmin is explored and Prism Head is put under the spotlight.
Interview with Miguel Matos
Miguel Matos, why did you decide to work with Sarah Baker again?
"Sarah Baker was the first brand to ever launch a perfume made by me, Jungle Jezebel. Sarah had this vision and a lot of bravery. So it's always a house that is very important in my career as a perfumer. As niche brands get increasingly boring, Sarah Baker doesn't, it keeps the excitement at all times, combining pleasing scents with daring provocations. I can relate."
How did you go about creating the sense of damp soil in the fragrance?
"At C de La Niche, we have tons of amazing bases created by Chris Maurice and the rest of the team. Sometimes I like to explore those bases and play with them. For the mushroom accord, I combined a couple of pre-existing mushroom bases. It's something that many perfumers do. My idol, Germaine Cellier, for example, worked a lot with bases. With Geosmin, it's a material that I have been playing with for a long time. Depending on the amount you use, it can boost earthy notes such as patchouli, or it can create a whole cavern-like smell or just simply damp soil, which is what I wanted to evoke."
How did you balance excitement and wearability in the scent?
"I think I am known for being a little daring, but in fact, I always put wearability first, unless I am asked for something completely crazy (which has also happened before). I like to go as far as possible, without crossing the line. I think perfume is meant to be worn, lived with, and shared. So I always search for ways to combine innovation with wearability."
Prism Head is a scent that challenges conventions while remaining wearable. This rare balance reflects both the boldness of Sarah Baker as a brand and Miguel Matos's instinctive creativity as a perfumer. If you're curious to experience how geosmin, mushrooms, and patchouli can come together to conjure the damp earth of a dreamlike forest floor, Prism Head is the scent for you. Watch the full video to hear more from Sebastian and Sarah, or explore Prism Head for yourself and see what happens when you fall down the rabbit hole.
Check out our Unplugged sample set that includes a 2ml sample of Prism Head.
