D.S. & Durga Launches "Ain’t That Sweet" Fragrance

Cult-favorite Brooklyn fragrance house D.S. & Durga has launched "Ain’t That Sweet," a new amber fragrance that ventures into the gourmand scent category. Founded in 2008 by perfumer David (D.S.) Seth Moltz and creative director Kavi (Durga) Moltz, the brand is known for transforming unconventional ideas into narrative-driven perfumes. "Ain’t That Sweet" is described as the ultimate gourmand for individuals who typically do not wear gourmand fragrances. The scent draws inspiration from the optimism of young love and the allure of New York City in the early 2000s, aiming to capture the energy of late-night romance and the aspirations of those arriving in the city. The fragrance's narrative evokes an intimate scene featuring a note left between lovers, a slice of dark, malty date cake, and a glass of golden milk awaiting a midnight return. The scent composition begins with top notes of myrrh and Sri Lankan cinnamon. It transitions into a heart featuring date, praline, and lily, before settling into a warm base of condensed milk, bourbon vanilla, and nutmeg. In line with D.S. & Durga's artistic approach, the launch includes a multifaceted artistic campaign. David Moltz, who views perfume and music as interconnected art forms, composed an original "party soul" track to accompany the campaign. Kavi Moltz led the development of a distinctive new packaging design, utilizing the brand's signature "peach concrete" color. Addressing the potential for gourmand scents to be overly sweet or polarizing, David Moltz explained the balancing act involved in creating "Ain’t That Sweet." He stated that the decadent "date cake fumes" were counterbalanced with grounding and perfumey elements such as musk, patchouli, and real vanilla absolute, ensuring the fragrance remained sweet without being excessively so. The scent's foundation is firmly rooted in the early 2000s New York City era and the DIY spirit of Brooklyn, reflecting the brand's origins and creative ethos. The brand's founders, David and Kavi Moltz, have consistently built their brand on unique concepts and artistic expression since its inception in 2008, establishing a global following for their distinctive olfactory creations.