What does Singapore smell like?
According to dsm-firmenich, the global fragrance innovator behind some of the world’s most iconic scents, it’s a harmonious blend of freshness and warmth, elegance and vitality. And to celebrate SG60, they’ve crafted a scent that captures exactly that.
Singapore Eco Orchid is the first and only fragrance created to commemorate Singapore’s 60th birthday. Developed in collaboration with the Singapore Botanic Gardens, this ambient fragrance is a tribute to our country’s spirit, heritage, and continued evolution.
It’s launched in tandem with two major milestones: the 10th anniversary of the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription and the 30th anniversary of the National Orchid Garden.
A Scent Born of Orchids
The idea for Singapore Eco Orchid was first conceived during the opening of dsm-firmenich’s new perfumery facility in Singapore in 2024.
Encouraged by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat to explore a collaboration that would showcase the nation’s rich biodiversity, the brand partnered with NParks for a one-of-a-kind creative immersion in the National Orchid Garden.
Vandachostylis Fuchs Ocean Spray
That’s where perfumer Kajal Gujar encountered a delicate hybrid known as the Vandachostylis Fuchs Ocean Spray, a flower with soft pink petals and an unexpectedly gourmand, creamy scent.
It was, in a word, surprising. Orchids typically offer powdery or green notes, but this one opened with a smooth vanillic warmth and dewy clarity.
“The contrast between elegance and vibrancy, softness and clarity, immediately reminded us of Singapore’s own spirit,” Levenza Toh, Vice President of Perfumery, SEA, Japan & Korea at dsm-firmenich, explains. “We wanted to capture that duality in a scent that celebrates both nature and progress.”
Related read: The Top Fragrance Trends Defining 2025, From Sweet and Savoury to Skin Scents
What It Smells Like
Singapore Eco Orchid isn’t meant to be worn on skin, but rather to transform your space.
In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Singapore’s pioneer in wellness tech, OSIM, brings this commemorative scent beyond the Botanic Gardens and into our everyday routines.
uDream Pro 5-Senses Well-Being Chair Scent Cartridge (left and middle), uMist Aroma Humidifier Fragrance Oil (right)
“Whether diffused through OSIM’s uMist Aroma Humidifier or experienced through their uDream Pro Well-Being Chair, the scent creates a serene, uplifting environment that invites calm and reflection,” Levenza says.
Here’s what it smells like:
- Top notes: Fruity citrus and watery green. An invigorating opening that feels like a deep breath at dawn.
- Heart notes: A luminous bouquet of orchid, muguet, and rose. Graceful, fresh, and floral without overwhelming the senses.
- Base notes: Creamy vanilla, powdery musk, and soft woods. Comforting, cocoon-like, and softly sensual.
Created Without Cutting a Single Petal
dsm-firmenich’s NaturePrint® in action
What makes this scent even more remarkable is how it was created – not just in concept, but in technique.
dsm-firmenich used NaturePrint®, their proprietary Headspace technology, to capture the living scent of the orchid without cutting or damaging the flower.
Using solid phase microextraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography, they recorded the volatile molecules emitted by the orchid and used those to reconstruct its scent with precision. It’s scent sampling done with surgical finesse. No petals plucked, no blooms harmed.
This allows rare and delicate botanicals, like the Vandachostylis Fuchs Ocean Spray, to be experienced without disrupting their natural habitats. It’s a groundbreaking example of how perfumery can pay tribute to nature, without taking from it.
A Commitment to Sustainable Scent Innovation
Sustainability is a core pillar for dsm-firmenich.
“By preserving the plant in its wild state and extracting only its olfactive ‘breath,’ we honour nature while reducing our ecological footprint,” Levenza shares. “It’s a clear example of how innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand.”
The brand continues to lead the way in green chemistry, eco-design, and biotechnology in the fragrance industry, pushing boundaries on how scents are sourced, created, and experienced. Singapore Eco Orchid stands as a local embodiment of that global mission.
A celebration of the past, a nod to the future, and a fragrant embrace of everything in between. This release certainly feels like a scented love letter to the nation.
Where to Purchase
The scent is available in:
- OSIM uDream Pro 5-Senses Well-Being Chair Scent Cartridge (S$19, two cartridges per box)
- OSIM uMist Aroma Humidifier Fragrance Oil (10ml, S$9.90)
Singapore Eco Orchid is available now at OSIM stores islandwide and online.
