Serene Wood is Soeder’s first standalone woody scent family. Its composition creates width and warmth without ever feeling heavy. We spoke with Eva Eckhardt about where the scent started, how she works with natural materials and why a woody composition is about much more than simply making something smell like a forest.
Where did Serene Wood begin for you?
The idea began with the theme of introspection. I was inspired by the Swiss Pine, or Arve, known as the “Queen of the Alps” for its remarkable ability to endure harsh conditions, much like a person finding strength in solitude. I paired this sense of inner stillness with the Larch, whose changing needles represent transformation and renewal. The two trees are opposites in many ways, yet together they create a harmonious balance.
Wood can smell warm, dry, green, smoky or resinous. Which side of wood did you want Serene Wood to explore?
I wanted to create a serene and quiet woody scent, one that moves away from the deep, earthy character often associated with woody scents and instead evokes a sense of openness, stillness, and space. I wanted to explore the harmonious side of wood, its ability to create a feeling of belonging, grounding, and being fully present in the here and now.
How would you describe Serene Wood to someone who has never smelled it before?
A woody scent that feels expansive rather than dense, a scent that invites reflection, calmness, and presence.
Cypress, Sweet inula and Sichuan pepper form the opening. What do they bring to the scent?
They bring a light, aromatic and lively aspect to the wood. Cypress adds a fresh, green quality, while sweet inula brings a subtle, dry sweetness. Sichuan pepper adds a deeper, complex citrus-like facet, giving the opening a bright yet intriguing character.
How do black pine, cedar, Buddha wood and vetiver create depth without making the scent feel heavy?
Their combination doesn’t so much create depth as create a sense of width and broadness. Together, they give the scent a warm, open character, allowing the woody notes to feel lively rather than heavy.
The campaign connects natural materials with architecture. Do you see similarities between building a scent and building a space?
Absolutely. Both create a sense of identity and are closely connected to the idea of home. A space can make us feel comfortable, grounded and at ease—and in the same way, a scent can create an atmosphere that invites introspection, calm and a sense of stillness.
Serene Wood is also launching as a Room Spray. What happens when the same scent moves from the skin and sink into a room?
Usually, a scent needs to emphasize different qualities depending on whether it is experienced on the skin or in the air. We therefore adapt the composition for each application, so the scent remains recognizably the same while bringing out the qualities that work best in each environment.
What does Serene Wood add to the wider Soeder scent portfolio?
It adds a true woody scent to the Soeder portfolio, while approaching the category in a distinctly Soeder way, by making it natural, layered and somewhat unexpected. I was particularly delighted to finally develop a dedicated woody scent, as this was a direction that had been missing from the portfolio for a long time.
