Emperors they may be, but when a massive cyclone unleashes its merciless austral winds, the colony of penguins bow to its power. It's from such extremes that the male penguin must guard his precious bundle. Passed tenderly from mother to father, the egg is their shared purpose. She embarks on a perilous odyssey to the sea for food. He begins his own monotonous march, packed tightly in a circle of trudging penguins. So intent is he on protecting his egg that even the dazzling aurora australis against a lonely night sky escapes his notice.
Zoologist Penguin opens with saffron caught upon a salty blast of crisp antarctic air. Against the cool desolation, anticipation glimmers as lively aromas of pink pepper and sea moss swirl over musks, suede and sandalwood. Brace yourself for a vibrant scent that Is always invigorating, a reminder of nature’s harsh reality in a welcome blast.
Perfumer: Chiaki Nomura
All about this fragrance
Vibe check
This is a scent for close, cold air and measured movement: a coat collar turned up against winter wind, a quiet walk through a city that still feels half-frozen. It projects a clean, composed presence with a faint mineral edge rather than loud brightness.
How to wear
Best in cool to cold weather, where its icy marine accord and suede soften into a crisp, transparent trail. Apply lightly to avoid flattening the airy structure; one to three sprays is enough for a restrained but noticeable aura that feels fresher in air than on warm skin.
Who it’s for
For wearers who like marine and ozonic scents with a dry, modern edge, and who appreciate freshness that is not sugary or sporty. It suits those drawn to clean transparency, subtle saltiness and a slightly textured, mineral finish.
Release year
2024
The nose
Chiaki Nomura
Collaborators
Victor Wong, Zoologist’s founder and creative director, shaped the animal-inspired concept and narrative brief, translating emperor penguin behavior and Antarctic imagery into the fragrance’s emotional frame. Chiaki Nomura then built the composition around that story, balancing icy freshness with suede, musks and marine nuance.
Zoologist’s story
Zoologist treats perfumery as natural history in scent, turning animal habitats, behaviors and symbolism into imaginative compositions. The house is known for independent perfumer collaborations, ethical synthetics and a willingness to move between challenging animalics and surprisingly wearable abstractions.
Penguin (Limited Edition)’s concept
Penguin was launched in January 2024 as Zoologist’s first release of the year, inspired by emperor penguins enduring Antarctic cyclones while guarding their eggs. The fragrance translates that harsh, luminous setting into a salty, ozonic composition with a cool, resilient character.
Extra info
Penguin is an extrait de parfum and was released as a limited edition in Zoologist’s 2024 lineup. The concept centers on emperor penguins, but the scent stays ethical and animal-free, using synthetic materials to evoke ice, sea moss and suede.
Emperors they may be, but when a massive cyclone unleashes its merciless austral winds, the colony of penguins bow to its power. It's from such extremes that the male penguin must guard his precious bundle. Passed tenderly from mother to father, the egg is their shared purpose. She embarks on a perilous odyssey to the sea for food. He begins his own monotonous march, packed tightly in a circle of trudging penguins. So intent is he on protecting his egg that even the dazzling aurora australis against a lonely night sky escapes his notice.
Zoologist Penguin opens with saffron caught upon a salty blast of crisp antarctic air. Against the cool desolation, anticipation glimmers as lively aromas of pink pepper and sea moss swirl over musks, suede and sandalwood. Brace yourself for a vibrant scent that Is always invigorating, a reminder of nature’s harsh reality in a welcome blast.
Perfumer: Chiaki Nomura
All about this fragrance
Vibe check
This is a scent for close, cold air and measured movement: a coat collar turned up against winter wind, a quiet walk through a city that still feels half-frozen. It projects a clean, composed presence with a faint mineral edge rather than loud brightness.
How to wear
Best in cool to cold weather, where its icy marine accord and suede soften into a crisp, transparent trail. Apply lightly to avoid flattening the airy structure; one to three sprays is enough for a restrained but noticeable aura that feels fresher in air than on warm skin.
Who it’s for
For wearers who like marine and ozonic scents with a dry, modern edge, and who appreciate freshness that is not sugary or sporty. It suits those drawn to clean transparency, subtle saltiness and a slightly textured, mineral finish.
Release year
2024
The nose
Chiaki Nomura
Collaborators
Victor Wong, Zoologist’s founder and creative director, shaped the animal-inspired concept and narrative brief, translating emperor penguin behavior and Antarctic imagery into the fragrance’s emotional frame. Chiaki Nomura then built the composition around that story, balancing icy freshness with suede, musks and marine nuance.
Zoologist’s story
Zoologist treats perfumery as natural history in scent, turning animal habitats, behaviors and symbolism into imaginative compositions. The house is known for independent perfumer collaborations, ethical synthetics and a willingness to move between challenging animalics and surprisingly wearable abstractions.
Penguin (Limited Edition)’s concept
Penguin was launched in January 2024 as Zoologist’s first release of the year, inspired by emperor penguins enduring Antarctic cyclones while guarding their eggs. The fragrance translates that harsh, luminous setting into a salty, ozonic composition with a cool, resilient character.
Extra info
Penguin is an extrait de parfum and was released as a limited edition in Zoologist’s 2024 lineup. The concept centers on emperor penguins, but the scent stays ethical and animal-free, using synthetic materials to evoke ice, sea moss and suede.