Showing all 13 results

End of content

End of content

Issey Miyake built his fashion studio in Tokyo in 1970 on a philosophy of simplicity and material experimentation, and that same philosophy shaped his approach to fragrance two decades later. When he finally turned to perfume in 1992, Miyake didn't reach for flowers or spice as his starting point. He reached for water, the most basic, essential material there is, and built an entire fragrance identity around it.

Issey Miyake perfume bottle with minimalist water styling
L'Eau d'Issey, built around the purity of water

L'Eau D'Issey: A Name With A Hidden Pun

L'Eau d'Issey translates literally to "the water of Issey," but there's a second layer to it: said aloud in French, it sounds remarkably close to "l'Odyssée," meaning Odyssey. It's a fitting bit of wordplay for a fragrance designed to mark the beginning of Miyake's own journey into perfumery. The scent itself is aquatic and floral, lotus, freesia and melon up top, settling into a clean woody musk base. It won a Fragrance Foundation award for best women's introduction in Europe the year after it launched, and it's stayed a defining 90s classic ever since.

L'Eau D'Issey Pour Homme: The Men's Companion

Two years after the women's release, Issey Miyake brought the same water-first philosophy to a men's fragrance. L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme opens with yuzu, bergamot and lemon, moves through a spicy, woody heart, and settles into tobacco, sandalwood and cedar. Where the women's version feels like a calm lagoon, the men's leans more toward a man returning from a day in the sun and sea, still carrying a trace of saltwater. Both fragrances share the same minimalist bottle design, tapering toward a wider base for a sense of quiet stability.

Buying Issey Miyake Perfumes In Kenya

House Of Essence carries the Issey Miyake range with nationwide delivery across Kenya, pay on delivery available in Nairobi, and M-Pesa or card payment everywhere else. L'Eau d'Issey is the obvious starting point for women, while L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme covers the men's side just as well. Browse the collection above, or check our Women's Perfumes and Men's Perfumes ranges for more options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does L'Eau d'Issey mean?
L'Eau d'Issey means "the water of Issey" in French, and it's also a play on the French word for Odyssey, fitting for the fragrance that began Issey Miyake's perfume journey.
What is Issey Miyake's most popular women's perfume?
L'Eau d'Issey, launched in 1992, is Issey Miyake's signature women's fragrance, known for its aquatic floral profile of lotus, freesia and melon.
What is the difference between L'Eau d'Issey and L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme?
The women's version is a soft aquatic floral built around lotus and freesia, while the men's version is woodier and more aquatic, built around yuzu, bergamot and tobacco.
Is Issey Miyake a genuine designer perfume brand?
Yes, Issey Miyake is an established Japanese fashion house founded in 1970, with its own fragrance line dating back to 1992.
Is L'Eau d'Issey good for everyday wear?
Yes, L'Eau d'Issey is light and fresh enough for daily wear, particularly well suited to warmer weather.
How do I order Issey Miyake perfumes in Kenya?
You can order directly from this page. House Of Essence delivers nationwide, with pay on delivery available in Nairobi and M-Pesa or card payment for orders elsewhere in Kenya.