Behind the Fragrance: Bath & Body Works Introduces Very Violet

There is something special about the space between seasons.

As summer begins to fade, consumers often find themselves searching for a fragrance that feels more elevated and dimensional than bright seasonal scents, but not as rich and heavy as traditional fall fragrances.

Capturing that moment in a single fragrance requires a careful balance of artistry, collaboration and a deep understanding of how fragrance can evoke emotion.

Bath & Body Works understands this delicate balance well. Fueled by its mission to help people feel good, the brand partnered with master perfumer Carlos Viñals of Symrise to create Very Violet, a modern eau de parfum designed to bridge the transition from summer into fall.

Featuring notes of violet absolute, clean musks and warm cedarwood, the scent is a sophisticated expression of softness, strength and individuality, inspired by the “quiet power of presence.”

But like every great fragrance, Very Violet is much more than the notes listed on the bottle.

Working alongside Bath & Body Works, Viñals crafted this signature scent to capture the balance of softness and strength.

"Very Violet captures that moment when softness becomes unforgettable,” said Viñals. “When a scent doesn't just sit on the skin, but becomes part of you."

At the heart of the fragrance is violet absolute, one of perfumery's most iconic ingredients. Delicate and luminous, violet brings a modern sophistication to the fragrance, while clean musks create a warm "second-skin" effect. The scent is grounded by warm cedarwood, adding structure and lasting depth.

"When you bring all of these elements together—the softness of violet, the intimacy of clean musks and the strength of cedarwood—you get something that feels effortless, but deeply intimate," said Viñals. "Very Violet is not about being noticed immediately, but it is about being remembered."

Creating a fragrance like Very Violet takes months of collaboration across Bath & Body Works’ product, fragrance and innovation teams, alongside expert fragrance partners.

The development team was particularly inspired by the cedarwood used in the fragrance. During work with Symrise and Texas-based distillery Texarome, teams explored how cedarwood—often removed from ranchland because it depletes soil moisture—can be transformed into a beautiful essential oil through an upcycled process.

The fragrance's clean musk accord also reflects the company's commitment to thoughtful innovation. Developed using a sustainable Symrise-exclusive ingredient called Ecomusk, it delivers the warmth and longevity consumers expect while supporting a more responsible approach to fragrance creation.

It's the kind of craftsmanship that Bath & Body Works consistently delivers —combining nature and science to create high-performing fragrances consumers love.

Developed to fill a unique seasonal white space, the fragrance offers a versatile floral experience that feels equally at home on warm summer afternoons and crisp fall evenings. Violet was also identified as an emerging ingredient trend within the fragrance market, helping position Very Violet as both timely and enduring.

The result is a fragrance that invites discovery and proves some of the most powerful fragrances don't need to announce themselves. They can be quietly present and linger like a memory.

Very Violet is available now in eau de parfum and a range of body care forms in stores across the U.S. and Canada, as well as online and in the Bath & Body Works app.