Behind the Fragrance: How Bath & Body Works Turned a Trending Flavor into Its Next Must-Have Scent, Almond Croissant

When Bath & Body Works set out to create a fragrance inspired by the warmth and comfort of café culture, the brand found the perfect partner in Givaudan and perfumer Dana Schmitt.

The story of Almond Croissant began years ago while Schmitt was completing her perfumery studies in Paris. As part of a final assignment, she was sent to the United States to develop a fall candle concept for Bath & Body Works. Looking for a way to blend her Parisian surroundings with the cozy nostalgia of an American autumn, she found inspiration in one of her favorite daily rituals: visiting neighborhood boulangeries.

"Parisian bakeries have a way of making everyday moments feel special," Schmitt said. "I wanted to capture the feeling of walking into a bakery, smelling warm pastries fresh from the oven and sharing that experience through fragrance."

Her original concept centered on a pumpkin spice croissant, combining the flaky, buttery character of a French pastry with a quintessential American fall flavor. As the fragrance evolved, Schmitt and the Bath & Body Works team refined the idea through an extensive development process, balancing artistry, technical expertise and consumer insights. The result was Almond Croissant, a fragrance crafted to evoke the experience of biting into a warm pastry, with notes of toasted almonds, vanilla glaze and flaky croissant.

Bringing that vision to life required more than creative inspiration. It demanded the meticulous craftsmanship that defines both fine perfumery and the culinary world that inspired it. During development, Schmitt and fellow perfumers immersed themselves in New York City's bakery scene, sampling croissants from some of the city's most beloved and trendy destinations.

From buttery layers and toasted almond fillings to delicate sweetness and fresh-baked warmth, every detail was carefully studied and translated into scent. Combined with Bath & Body Works' deep understanding of fragrance trends and consumer preferences, the process helped ensure the final fragrance authentically captured the sensory experience of enjoying an almond croissant while meeting the brand's high standards for fragrance quality and performance.

"The best fragrances tell a story and create an emotional connection," Schmitt said. "For Almond Croissant, that story is about slowing down, savoring simple pleasures and finding comfort in life's everyday moments."

Developed in collaboration with one of the world's leading fragrance houses, Almond Croissant showcases the craftsmanship behind modern fragrance creation, blending Bath & Body Works' fragrance expertise and commitment to quality with Schmitt's perfumery artistry and inspiration from Parisian culture.

Now, for the first time, Almond Croissant is available beyond the home fragrance category as part of Old Soul, Bath & Body Works' new collection inspired by café culture and the joy of lingering over everyday rituals. Alongside Almond Croissant, the collection introduces two new fragrances: Pink Matcha Latte, a blend of creamy matcha, pink sugar and vanilla foam, and Caramel Vanilla, featuring notes of buttery caramel, melted brown sugar and whipped vanilla cream.

Together, the fragrances invite consumers to embrace the season through scent, whether that means enjoying a quiet morning, catching up with friends over coffee or creating a moment of comfort at home. For Schmitt, Almond Croissant's expansion into body care marks the next chapter for a fragrance rooted in craftsmanship, creativity and the pursuit of exceptional fragrance experiences.

Almond Croissant is available now in 3-wick candle, fine fragrance mist, foaming hand soap, body lotion, body wash and Ultimate Hydration Body Cream in stores across the U.S. and Canada, as well as online and in the Bath & Body Works app.