Quick answers
Olfactive family
Oriental vanilla
Collection
La Route de la Soie, perfumes inspired by the historic Silk Road cities, launched in 2020 to mark the house's twenty years.
Olfactive signature
A powdery vanilla oriental built on orris, violet and orange blossom over vanilla absolute, praline and Siam benzoin, opening on a fruity flicker of blackcurrant and pink pepper.
Creative direction
The house works with several perfumers, and
Linda Pilkington, its founder, leads the creative direction. The specific perfumer for this fragrance is not publicly disclosed by the house.
History and inspiration
Babylonia belongs to La Route de la Soie, the Silk Road collection that Ormonde Jayne launched in October 2020 to celebrate two decades of the house. It was added to the line in 2022 and takes its name and mood from Babylon, the storied city of the ancient world, evoked here through softness and warmth rather than literal references.
The composition opens on a fruity, lightly spiced flourish of blackcurrant, bergamot, davana and pink pepper, then settles into a powdery floral heart of orris, violet, bellflower and orange blossom. The base is where Babylonia makes its case, a gourmand-leaning blend of vanilla absolute, praline, Siam benzoin and white musk that stays plush and powdery rather than dense.
Official olfactive pyramid
The olfactive architecture of Babylonia is presented below using the maison's own Head, Heart and Soul labels.
Head
Blackcurrant, Bergamottart, zesty opening
Davana, Pink Pepperfruity aromatic spice
Heart
Orris, Violetpowdery floral softness
Bellflower, Orange Blossomtransparent and solar facets
Soul
Vanilla Absolute, Pralinesweet gourmand warmth
Siam Benzoin, White Musksoft resin and clean musk
Olfactive profile
The signature of Babylonia is its powder. The iris and violet give it a cosmetic, faintly retro softness, while the praline and vanilla absolute add a sweet, edible warmth that never tips into syrup. White musk keeps the whole composition clean and enveloping.
On skin it stays close and soft, a comfortable second-skin warmth rather than a projecting statement. The fruity opening fades quickly into the powdery heart, and the drydown is long, sweet and gently resinous.
Key characteristics
Concentration
Eau de Parfum
Format
88 ml / 2.97 fl oz US
When and where to wear
Babylonia is at its best in cooler weather and in relaxed settings, from daytime through to a quiet evening. Its soft powder and vanilla read as comforting rather than formal, which makes it easy to wear close to the skin.
Because it leans warm and sweet, it suits autumn and winter particularly well, though its lightness keeps it from feeling heavy in milder conditions.
Similar perfumes
These perfumes share a family or character with Babylonia.
| Perfume | House | Why related |
|---|
| Habanita | Molinard | a historic powdery vanilla with the same dry elegance |
| Iris Poudré | Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle | a warm powdery iris with the same veiled softness |
| Lost Cherry | Tom Ford | a denser fruity gourmand, a sweeter counterpoint |
| Baccarat Rouge 540 | Maison Francis Kurkdjian | a sweet powdery amber with the same luminous roundness |
| Vanilla Antique | Mona di Orio | a resinous vanilla with the same powdery depth |
Frequently asked questions
What is Babylonia by Ormonde Jayne?01
Babylonia is an oriental vanilla Eau de Parfum by Ormonde Jayne, the independent British house founded in 2001 in London (United Kingdom). Released in 2022, it is part of La Route de la Soie, and its character is a soft powdery vanilla wrapped in iris and candied resins.
What does Babylonia smell like?02
It opens on blackcurrant, bergamot and davana, pink pepper, turns to a heart of orris, violet and bellflower, orange blossom, and dries down to vanilla absolute, praline and siam benzoin, white musk. The overall impression is a soft powdery vanilla wrapped in iris and candied resins.
What is the olfactive family of Babylonia?03
Ormonde Jayne composes Babylonia as an oriental vanilla. Its character is a soft powdery vanilla wrapped in iris and candied resins.
Who created Babylonia?04
Ormonde Jayne works with several perfumers, with founder Linda Pilkington leading the creative direction. The house does not publicly disclose the specific perfumer for this fragrance.
What concentration is Babylonia?05
It is an Eau de Parfum, presented in an 88 ml / 2.97 fl oz US bottle.
When should I wear Babylonia?06
Babylonia is at its best in cooler weather and in relaxed settings, from daytime through to a quiet evening. Its soft powder and vanilla read as comforting rather than formal, which makes it easy to wear close to the skin.
Is Babylonia for men or women?07
Like the rest of the Ormonde Jayne collection, Babylonia is composed in the house's gender-free spirit and can be worn by anyone drawn to an oriental vanilla.
What collection does Babylonia belong to?08
It belongs to La Route de la Soie, the Silk Road collection Ormonde Jayne launched in 2020 to celebrate its twentieth anniversary, a line inspired by the cities and spices of the ancient Silk Road.
Where is Babylonia made?09
Ormonde Jayne perfumes are handmade in England by the independent house, owned by founder Linda Pilkington since 2001.
Sources
Published 19 June 2026 · Last fact check: 19 June 2026 (notes and family sourced from the official Ormonde Jayne product page and cross-checked editorially) · Osmetheca
