Explore Mayfair with Ormonde Jayne's Founder

In conversation with the inspirational Founder of Ormonde Jayne

British perfumer Linda Jayne Pilkington, founder of luxury perfume house Ormonde Jayne, holds an insatiable energy for fragrance. It ripples through her team in Mayfair, where from her new boutique, she can see Brown's Hotel, and enjoys watching the vibrancy of our guests too-ing and fro-ing. Linda has chosen Ta’if as the hotel’s signature scent, surrounding guests with a sense of beauty and calm, like watching a pink sunset over desert dunes. We explore London with a woman who, if she were a perfume herself, would no doubt be described as unforgettable.

What was the first scent that made you fall in love with perfumery?

Madame Rochas. My mother gave me her bottle when I was a child, it’s my first fine fragrance memory and where my love for scent started. A huge crystal bottle with cognac-coloured perfume and a big gold overcap that was very heavy. It was like a piece of treasure.

What is the best way to spend the glorious summer months in London?

One oasis of calm is St John's Lodge Garden in Regent’s Park. It’s off the beaten track and you feel like you are uncovering a new secret garden, perfect for quiet contemplation and listening to birdsong. It’s just around the corner from the Open Air Theatre which I also love and book two shows every year - a Shakespeare and a comedy. It is a lovely evening under the stars. We always take a delicious picnic and Champagne. What more could you want?

What is it particularly about British elegance that you wish to capture in every scent?

Each of our perfumes is described with the Head, Heart and Soul, so the Head captures the instant appeal of British elegance, it sparkles and draws you in immediately. The Heart is the incredible diversity of Britain today, the cultures and traditions that make up our wonderful country. It’s captured in our ingredients from Madagascar to the Himalayas to Xi’an. The Soul is a long-lasting impression of sophistication and refinement. Ormonde Jayne is a 25-year British independent perfume house, and we still create and make our own perfumes in the garden of England, Kent.

What do you love most about Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair?  

You feel instantly welcomed the moment you enter. Nothing else compares. The appeal of Brown’s lasts all year – the warmth of sitting by the fire in winter is replaced by the cool energy of sipping a cocktail at Donovan Bar in spring, or a celebratory afternoon tea in summer. The team at Brown’s is genuinely happy, and it shows in every aspect; it’s something I can identify with and have infinite respect for.

Where are your favourite restaurants near your Mayfair boutique?

I am spoilt for choice! Right opposite my boutique is Charlie's Restaurant. It’s my second office. The décor and ambience are unparalleled, and the staff are like family to me. Bar dès Pres on Albermarle Street is an enigma of a multitude of cuisines, I adore their miso aubergine. Amazónico in Berkeley Square is like a festive journey through the Amazon, with lush tropical decor and samba rhythms. The café in the Royal Academy of Arts’ courtyard is a magnificent setting to appreciate the enormity of London’s architecture and heritage. All this is just a snapshot of Mayfair, on our doorstep.

We are delighted to welcome Linda and our Rocco Forte Friends to an evening of conversation at Charlie's Restaurant for our Women Who Love series.