Scents are one of life’s greatest connecting forces. In an instant, a simple scent can transport you back to previous eras of your life. A hint of bergamot instantly brings you back to your graduation brunch, surrounded by friends and family as you brace for the next phase of life. Syupry gourmands transport us back to late nights trading make-up tips before rushing to make it to the off-campus happy hours in time.
The power these scents hold also applies to the cultural organizations that mold and shape the campus community, like the historic D9 fraternities and sororities.
From Alpha Phi Alpha to Iota Phi Theta, the fraternities and sororities founded for and by collegiate Black students all have distinguishable swags, personas and legacies. Naturally, they also have their own scents. Not in an official sense, but certain aromas effortlessly encapsulate the ambiance associated with an Alpha’s stroll or the poise and power displayed by the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha while they step.
Fragrances not only act as an aromatized time machine, jolting us back to fragrant memories of the past, but they can also categorize the energy emitted by pillars of the community. Every organization has a distinct vibe, and below we have rounded up a list of scents that match each org in the Divine 9.
Alpha Phi Alpha
The first organization of the D9, the Alphas, have a certain leadership quality that demands a strong and warm scent. Enter: Burberry Brit, a sharp, woody aroma that folds in strong notes of mandarin, bergamot, cardamom, orris, ginger, nutmeg and rose.
Kappa Alpha Psi
There is something about the Crimson and Cream of Kappa Alpha Psi that evokes hints of cinnamon, tonka and a subtle note of cognac. Killian’s Angel Share has all of this wrapped up in a crystal-esque glass. It’s a warm and spicy scent on the rocks.
Omega Psi Phi
The Ques are known for rugged displays of soul-forward brotherhood, and their scent should encapsulate that fraternal legacy. Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L’Homme is a woodsy fragrance, boasting notes of cedarwood and cardamom that create a sophisticated and masculine scent.
Phi Beta Sigma
Price: $155
Decked in blue and white, Phi Beta Sigma carries a breezy aura that brings to mind airy, aquatic scents like Armani Beauty’s Acqua di Giò Profondo Eau de Parfum Spray with Mandarin and Patchouli. It also helps that the bottle is blue, which pairs well with endless troughs of paraphernalia.
Iota Phi Theta
Founded in 1963, the men of Iota Phi Theta pride themselves on their dedication to tradition. And when it comes to scents, there is nothing more traditional than a good oud. Aesop’s Marrakech Intense Eau de Parfum is a spicy scent with heavy hints of neroli and bergamot, which gives the scent a palpable, nostalgic quintessence.
Alpha Kappa Alpha
The pink tea rose is the official flower for Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first Greek-letter organization founded by Black women in 1908, so it’s only right that their signature scent would include a floral component. Tom Ford’s Rose Prick scent includes Rose de Mai, Bulgarian Rose, and Sichuan Pepper, fit for the first and finest. And that pink on the bottle? Well, that’s just a bonus.
Delta Sigma Theta
What better scent to reflect the fiery quintessence of the Deltas than Baccarat Rouge 540? The ultra-viral scent toes the line between a smoky cedar and honeyed saffron. It’s sweet and warm yet strong and spicy, just like our favorite Deltas.
Zeta Phi Beta
The Zetas are represented by the dove, a pure and pleasant characterization that deserves an equally elegant scent. Maison Margiela Replica’s Bubble Bath scent is a subtly floral fragrance with hints of coconut milk, mixed with a light, soapy freshness.
Sigma Gamma Rho
The poodles round out the Divine 9, and their royal blue and antique gold represent their elegant charm and shining resilience. Musky, warm jasmine layers beautifully with subtle florals, making for the perfect scent to represent the baby of the Divine 9.