Monday 19 March 2018

STEPHAN'S SIX - RACHEL CORNEY


Rachel Corney lives in Cornwall and graduated from Falmouth University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Illustration. Her wonderfully playful style was spotted by Sarah McCartney of 4160 Tuesdays and she was commissioned to produce a series of paintings to represent their fragrances. With a love of perfume, and a knack for translating perfume into pictures, I wondered what scented secrets she would reveal during “Stephan’s Six”.

What is the first smell that you can remember?
It is so hard to recall my first scent memory. I think it would probably be the scent of the beach: the tang of salt and seaweed mixed with coconut sun lotion. I grew up on the North Cornish coast and was always at the beach. It reminds me of being purely happy. Even now, years on, I find it so utterly relaxing and comforting. If I am ever stressed or unhappy I go back to the beach, close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. Come rain or shine it never fails to make me feel better, it’s like magic!

What was the first perfume you remember your mum or dad wearing?
I think the first perfume I remember my mum wearing would be Paris by Yves Saint Laurent. She used to carry a bottle of it in her handbag. It reminds me of a lot of warm, perfumed hugs! My dad used to have a bottle of Dior Eau Sauvage that I loved the smell of. So much so I tried to make a magic potion out of it in the bathroom sink. He wasn’t very happy about it.

What was the perfume of your twenties?
I have a lot of perfumes and I tend to favour one or other based on my mood, the weather, the season etc. As such it is difficult to pick one to sum up my twenties. If I had to choose I think it would be ChloƩ. It specifically reminds me of a fabulous birthday with some of my favourite people whilst I was still at university. We went on a day trip, then out for dinner and cocktails. I remember thinking it was like a vacation from real life. It was quite simple, but it was wonderful.

What was your biggest perfume mistake?
I think my biggest perfume mistake would be just wearing too much! Somehow, when I was at school, I got the idea that true elegance was to be reeking of perfume. I used to perfume my uniform before I put it on and carry bottles with me to respritz at every available occasion. It must have been pretty overwhelming for others!

You can only choose one perfume?
If I could only choose one perfume then it would have to be Iris Nobile by Acqua Di Parma. I absolutely love it and I truly hope that I will never get tired of it. For me it always evokes memories of warm, dusky evenings abroad sipping wine while the sun sets. It’s escapism in scent form.

What perfume should I try?
Perfume is so subjective that I think it is almost impossible to recommend one to anyone but, if pressed, I would say to try Shazam by 4160 Tuesdays. It’s the scent of walking around the spice bazaar, warm and exotic. I also think there is something quite dark and sensual about it. It reminds me of hot, dark nights. However, if I were going to recommend my favourite 4160 Tuesdays perfume to illustrate then it would definitely be Tart’s Knicker Drawer. With so many beautiful, fun elements to include it was fabulously girly to illustrate and I loved it!

For more information about Rachel you can visit her website at rachelcorneyillustration.co.uk

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