Marine
Transparent
Top Notes ice accordantarctic airjuniper
Heartlabdanumpink peppersaffron
Base Notesmusksandalwoodsea weedsuede
Tags
#clean
#fresh
Style
unisex
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 for close quarters in cold weather, when a crisp, composed presence reads as more striking than volume. It suits someone who wants a scent that feels clean and mineral, with a faint leathery edge that stays poised rather than loud.
How to wear
Best in cool to cold conditions, where the icy opening and marine facets stay vivid without thinning out. Apply lightly to keep the suede and sandalwood from overtaking the airier notes; it has enough extrait density to project clearly with just a few sprays.
Who it’s for
For wearers who like fresh scents with structure: marine, ozonic and icy profiles, but with a dry suede-and-wood backbone. It will appeal to people who prefer clean clarity over sweetness, and atmosphere over obvious brightness.
Release year
2024
The nose
Chiaki Nomura
Collaborators
Victor Wong, Zoologist’s founder and creative director, shaped the animal-led concept and narrative brief, using the emperor penguin’s egg-guarding ritual and Antarctic setting as the fragrance’s emotional frame. Chiaki Nomura translated that story into scent, building the icy, spiced composition around the habitat and behavior rather than a generic fresh profile.
Zoologist’s story
Zoologist turns animals into narrative fragrances, using scent as a way to explore instinct, habitat and character rather than literal imitation. The house is known for bold concepts, detailed storytelling and an artisanal, in-house approach to production.
Penguin’s concept
Penguin is built around Antarctic extremes and the ritual of penguin parenthood: cyclone-battered colonies, the father guarding the egg, and the lonely brilliance of the aurora australis. The fragrance translates that setting into a cool, bracing composition of air, salt, suede and woods.
Extra info
Penguin is an extrait de parfum from Zoologist, launched in 2024. The official formula is vegan, with no animal products, and the fragrance was released in multiple formats including 60 mL, travel spray and sample sizes. The packaging was later updated without changing the formula.
Also featured in
Salt, Sea & Mineral
Top Notes ice accordantarctic airjuniper
Heartlabdanumpink peppersaffron
Base Notesmusksandalwoodsea weedsuede
Tags
#clean
#fresh
Style
unisex
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 for close quarters in cold weather, when a crisp, composed presence reads as more striking than volume. It suits someone who wants a scent that feels clean and mineral, with a faint leathery edge that stays poised rather than loud.
How to wear
Best in cool to cold conditions, where the icy opening and marine facets stay vivid without thinning out. Apply lightly to keep the suede and sandalwood from overtaking the airier notes; it has enough extrait density to project clearly with just a few sprays.
Who it’s for
For wearers who like fresh scents with structure: marine, ozonic and icy profiles, but with a dry suede-and-wood backbone. It will appeal to people who prefer clean clarity over sweetness, and atmosphere over obvious brightness.
Release year
2024
The nose
Chiaki Nomura
Collaborators
Victor Wong, Zoologist’s founder and creative director, shaped the animal-led concept and narrative brief, using the emperor penguin’s egg-guarding ritual and Antarctic setting as the fragrance’s emotional frame. Chiaki Nomura translated that story into scent, building the icy, spiced composition around the habitat and behavior rather than a generic fresh profile.
Zoologist’s story
Zoologist turns animals into narrative fragrances, using scent as a way to explore instinct, habitat and character rather than literal imitation. The house is known for bold concepts, detailed storytelling and an artisanal, in-house approach to production.
Penguin’s concept
Penguin is built around Antarctic extremes and the ritual of penguin parenthood: cyclone-battered colonies, the father guarding the egg, and the lonely brilliance of the aurora australis. The fragrance translates that setting into a cool, bracing composition of air, salt, suede and woods.
Extra info
Penguin is an extrait de parfum from Zoologist, launched in 2024. The official formula is vegan, with no animal products, and the fragrance was released in multiple formats including 60 mL, travel spray and sample sizes. The packaging was later updated without changing the formula.
Also featured in
Salt, Sea & Mineral