Eearly bloomers starting the green parade of spring challenging the silent snow... this story smells green (thanks to a generous dose of galbanum), earthy (orris) and there are also owl's wings waving the very gentle shy aroma of snowdrops around the formula.
A thick carpet of silver envelops the landscape, untouched but for the dazzling reflection of the sun. Snow stretches as far as the eye can see, while a bitter wind rolls silently across the sky, its hush barely broken by the powerful beat of an ivory wing. Despite the stillness of the arctic, the snowy owl senses a flutter beneath the icy crust far below. Through snowy tunnels voles scamper, oblivious to their fate. A warm glow stirs within the breast of the majestic bird as it dives, confident in its mastery over the frigid kingdom.
Zoologist's Snowy Owl glides on with a minty opening, while the gentle warmth of musk combines with beautiful hints of snowdrops, lily of the valley and iris. Sweet coconut and woody vanilla swoop in to surprise and entice. Snowy Owl merges cool vitality with exquisite softness in a captivating scent, ideal for those who aren't afraid to take what they desire.
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All about this fragrance
Vibe check
Snowy Owl suits a quiet, alert presence: the moment of stepping indoors after crossing snow, with cold air still caught in a wool collar. Its green bite keeps the mood clear-eyed, while pale flowers and soft musk bring warmth to close conversation without turning overtly sweet.
How to wear
Try it in cool weather or the first mild days of spring, when its wintry greens and emerging flowers feel especially apt. Begin with one or two sprays on skin and let the minty opening settle before adding more; the coconut, musk and vanilla offer a softer counterpoint as the composition develops.
Who it’s for
For lovers of green fragrances who want something softer and stranger than a crisp botanical composition. It will appeal to those drawn to earthy iris, moss and delicate white flowers, and to an unexpected coconut note used for wintry softness rather than tropical sweetness.
Release year
2021 (or 2020)
The nose
Dawn Spencer Hurwitz is an independent American perfumer and the founder of DSH Perfumes in Boulder, Colorado. Her background in painting informs a practice that treats fragrance as an interplay of color, texture and atmosphere, spanning classical perfume structures and experimental, art-inspired compositions. In Snowy Owl, she sets icy green notes and delicate flowers against an unexpectedly soft, warm foundation.
Zoologist’s story
Founded in Toronto by Victor Wong, Zoologist translates animals and their habitats into distinctive olfactory portraits rather than literal animal smells. Its fragrances embrace unusual contrasts, from delicate natural imagery to more challenging textures. The house avoids animal-derived ingredients, using synthetic alternatives for materials such as musk and civet.
Snowy Owl’s concept
Snowy Owl takes its cue from an Arctic hunter moving over a silent, snow-covered landscape. The composition explores the contrast between frozen surroundings and living warmth: mint, a snow accord and fragile flowers suggest the icy surface, while musk, coconut and woody vanilla evoke the softness sheltered beneath feathers.
Extra info
Coconut sits in the opening alongside mint and a snow accord—an unexpected setting for a note often associated with tropical fragrances. The official full-size bottle contains 60 mL at 25% perfume concentration, and the formula uses synthetic musk and civet rather than animal-derived materials.
