NYC Perfume

A Formal Design Exploration Inspired by New York

This research project explores the design of a new fragrance for Ralph Lauren, using New York as the brand’s founding city and a symbol of timeless elegance. The objective was to capture the essence of this metropolis through a formal design language that embodies its architecture, its energy, and its distinctive way of life.

The research focused on the interplay of materials and light. Metal, glass, transparency, grooves, and the reflections found on the façades of New York’s skyscrapers became the project’s primary sources of inspiration. Looking up through the streets of Manhattan, the city’s architecture reveals a vocabulary of vertical lines and rhythmic façades that directly informs the design of the bottle.

Complementing this urban dimension is a more organic approach inspired by Central Park. Botanical textures, floral details, and the ever-changing quality of light within the park bring softness and balance to an otherwise architectural aesthetic. This dialogue between mineral and natural elements shapes an object that is both powerful and delicate.

Finally, the spirit of the Upper East Side informs the project’s vision of luxury. More than just a neighborhood, it embodies a lifestyle defined by discretion, sophistication, and timeless elegance—qualities that resonate deeply with Ralph Lauren’s identity. This exploration guided the development of forms, proportions, and finishes that translate this refined universe into a contemporary fragrance bottle.

Above all, this project is a formal design exploration, where every volume, material, and detail contributes to expressing a vision of New York—one shaped by its architectural heritage, American elegance, and enduring refinement.