Acqua di Parma Oud and Zagara: A 2024 Fragrance Review

Oud has long been the bad boy of perfumery—intense, animalic, and unapologetically bold. But 2024 is singing a different tune. The fragrance world is witnessing a shift toward softer, more approachable ouds, and Acqua di Parma's latest release, Oud and Zagara, is a perfect example of this trend. Launched in 2024 and crafted by perfumer Celine Perdriel, this unisex Eau de Parfum blends the creamy sweetness of orange blossom (zagara) with a whisper of agarwood, creating a scent that feels both luxurious and intimate. Acqua di Parma, the Italian house known for its sunny citrus colognes, has been quietly building a formidable oud collection. Oud and Zagara joins the ranks of Oud & Spice and Colonia Oud, but it takes a different path. Instead of leaning into the smoky, resinous facets of oud, it uses the note as a supporting actor, allowing the white florals to shine. This is oud for people who thought they didn't like oud—a gateway drug, if you will. In a cultural moment where gender-fluid fragrances are gaining traction and consumers are seeking scents that feel personal rather than performative, Oud and Zagara fits right in. It's not a room-filler; it's a skin scent that invites closeness. The rise of soft oud also reflects a broader shift toward mindfulness and intimacy in fragrance. In a world that's increasingly loud and demanding, a scent that whispers can feel like a luxury. The name itself is a clue: 'Zagara' is the Sicilian word for orange blossom, a note that is deeply woven into Mediterranean culture. In Italy, orange blossoms are associated with love, purity, and celebration—they're often used in weddings and religious ceremonies. By pairing this iconic floral with oud, Acqua di Parma creates a bridge between East and West, between tradition and modernity. It's a fragrance that tells a story of cultural exchange, and it does so with elegance and restraint.