Thursday 28 September 2017

Miller Harris Launch TENDER and SCHERZO

Fragrance launches happen nearly every week and each one tries to outdo the other with scale and cost. Miller Harris took a very different approach today when they revealed their two new fragrances, Tender and Scherzo, to an eager group of bloggers and journalists. They presented, in minimalist surroundings, two distinctly different visual interpretations, but the character and soul of the project was perfectly captured. One brief, two perfumers, two fragrances. It’s an interesting experiment and one that has definitely paid off. So, let me walk you through “kaleidoscopic peonies” as we discover “Tender Is The Night”.

Monday 25 September 2017

CUIR DE RUSSIE by Le Jardin Retrouvé

The "leather revival" in the perfume world shows no signs of slowing, although to some of us it never went away in the first place. Those rich, resinous, woody scents exuded power along with a sensuality that ached for experimentation. Lashings of birch tar, labdanum and castoreum gave these fragrances a sexually charged energy that was impossible to resist. The more recent "trend" for softer suede-style scents diluted this effect and they became more refined and less dangerous. Thankfully with the rerelease of Cuir de Russie by Le Jardin Retrouvé we once again get the chance to perfume provocatively.

Thursday 21 September 2017

FLORIS UNLOCKS ITS ARCHIVES

You hear many companies talk about their “heritage” but it sometimes seems a little contrived and exaggerated. Add a celebrity here, change a production date there, and it becomes tricky to separate fact from fiction. One company that doesn't have this problem is Floris. Their biggest challenge is actually what to leave out. With a history dating back two hundred and eighty seven years the list of celebrity clients and perfume releases is immense, and it was always a challenge to share this with their customers. So, along with their recent store refit, Floris decided to open up their archives and reveal a few forgotten treasures.

Monday 18 September 2017

STEPHAN'S SIX - MATTHEW AXE


Originally from Suffolk, Matthew Axe studied Graphic Design before going on to work with companies such as Thomas Pink, John Lewis and Gieves & Hawkes. After relocating to New York he was Creative Director on Martha Stewart’s award-wining magazine, Martha Stewart Living, and regularly oversees campaigns in the beauty industry. Recently working on Jo Malone’s Basil & Neroli launch, I wondered what would he reveal about his own perfume favourites during “Stephan’s Six”.

Thursday 14 September 2017

RUSSIAN LEATHER by Molton Brown

The continuing push at the moment seems to be for companies to release product “collections”. By this I mean the fragrance, the shower gel, the candle, the body lotion etc. in their latest scent. Now this is actually nothing new, Coty were doing it for years, but brands have refocused their approach in an attempt to cement every new launch by offering their customers the fragrance in at least one form that they will like. Some brands miss the mark on translating the scent into the various products, but one company who continues to excel is Molton Brown. Let's take a look at their latest addition, Russian Leather.

Monday 11 September 2017

STEPHAN'S SIX - HANS HENDLEY


With a start in photography and music, Hans Hendley was flexing his creative muscle from an early age. Pretty soon he realised that his philosophies and ideals didn’t really fit the strict commercial path and so he moved to New York to begin working with what he described as “small spirited brands”. Always fascinated by perfume, he launched his own range in October 2014. With the recent release of his ninth fragrance, Mown, I thought that it was time to find out a little more about Hans Hendley as I asked him “Stephan’s Six”.

Thursday 7 September 2017

"C" by The Perfumer's Story

Creating fragrances for specific people takes away any necessity for a “brief” or a “marketing strategy” because you are translating that person’s wishes or character into a perfume. This means that you can end up with a library of scents that only have one thing in common; they are not designed to be “commercial”. After creating for personalities, friends, organisations and companies, Azzi Glasser had a back catalogue of very individual scents. So, with the muses’ permission, she created The Perfumer’s Story as a way of sharing her fragrances with the public. One of these original scents was simply titled “C”.

Monday 4 September 2017

FIREDANCE by Ruth Mastenbroek

Autumn feels as though it is well and truly here with the first leaves starting to change colour, the weather getting cooler and the nights beginning to draw in. With wood stocks starting to be replenished ready for open fires and thoughts turning to bonfire night, the timing of the latest perfume release from Ruth Mastenbroek couldn't be more perfect. The combination of leather, rose and oudh is nothing new, but in her talented hands the results are devilishly sensual, delightfully mysterious and truly intoxicating. With the release of Firedance, Ruth Mastenbroek shows once again why she is at the top of her profession.