Prada bottles the warmth and comfort of chai with Infusion de Santal Chai perfume

Prada, the Italian luxury house that usually makes you think of sleek leather, minimalist couture, and runway vibes, just dropped a perfume inspired by chai. Yes, chai, that beloved, steaming cup of milky, spicy goodness that’s basically a cultural institution here.Their latest fragrance is called Infusion de Santal Chai, and it’s part of Prada’s Les Infusions line. Prada describes it as a unisex scent that tries to capture the cozy warmth and complex character of a perfect cup of chai.Let’s unpack what’s actually inside the bottle. “Infusion de Santal Chai unexpectedly fuses creamy sandalwood with the spicy notes of chai latte accord, creating a warm and cozy scent, lifted by a fresh touch of citrus and cardamom, plus the clean and comforting facets of musks,” says Prada. “This woody fragrance explores the creamy and milky qualities of sophisticated sandalwood. The warm and comfortable woody notes merge with a spicy chai latte accord, with cardamom adding an addictive and unexpected vibration to this composition. Infused with bright fresh citrus, and enveloped by comforting musks, which bring an intimate and clean feel to the scent, Infusion de Santal Chai is a luminous fragrance for men and women that binds creamy comfort and sparkling freshness,” it adds.The bottle itself is Prada-classic, a rich brown glass with a camel-coloured Saffiano-textured cap that feels like something you’d proudly display on your dresser rather than hide in a drawer.Some folks are genuinely hyped, chai lovers feeling seen, fragrance fans curious to try something cozy and different, while others on the internet are downright bewildered (“Do I want to smell like chai?” kind of bewildered). “Nearly every Infusion I have tried has been exceptional, I am still desperate to get my hands on Iris, but I cannot wait for this one!,” writes one user on Instagram.There’s even been chatter about whether this continues Prada’s fascination with India after their Kolhapuri chappal moment last year.At the end of the day, whether Infusion de Santal Chai becomes a cult winter staple or just an internet conversation piece remains to be seen, but it’s undeniably one of the most unexpected fragrance launches of the season. Ever wondered what that first sip of chai on a cold morning feels like as a perfume? Prada’s betting you will want to find out.