Stephan Matthews

Showing posts with label 4711. Show all posts

Monday, 20 July 2026

4711 PORTUGAL by 4711

A bottle of 4711 Portugal Eau de Toilette

Few ingredients capture the feeling of summer quite like citrus. Bright, sparkling and uplifting, notes such as lemon, bergamot and orange have the ability to conjure a burst of sunshine, making them a natural choice for warmer days. However, while citrus fragrances are often associated with freshness and simplicity, adding aromatic herbs and gentle woods can completely transform their character. These deeper notes add texture, warmth and longevity, creating a fragrance that still feels bright and refreshing, but with a complexity that moves beyond the boundaries of a simple summer scent. One such example is Portugal from 4711.

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Monday, 15 September 2025

CHYPRE EAU DE COLOGNE by Jean d'Aigle

A bottle of Chypre Eau de Cologne from Jean d'Aigle

The traditional bottle of cologne used to be a staple in every household, but it fell out of favour in certain countries when the eau de toilettes and eau de parfums overtook it in popularity. There was the obvious comparison of strength and longevity, the cologne being more fleeting than its rivals, but in the new push for “quiet fragrances” the humble cologne is fighting back. France never abandoned this celebrated splash, and it's one of its oldest companies that is trumpeting the return. Jean d’Aigle has a history stretching back to 1945, and its Chypre Eau de Cologne is ideal for autumn as it celebrates its 80th birthday.

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Monday, 11 November 2024

Fragrance: From Plant To Perfume

Are you a bibliophile, a bibliophage or a reader? The joy of disappearing into a book is something that the world rediscovered during the years of lockdown and, forgiving the slight downturn as the world reopened, has remained strong during 2024. New authors come and go, new subjects are touted as the next new thing, but there are some book categories that remain solid sellers. Perfume and horticulture are two such topics, which does beg the question, “why has it taken so long to combine them into the perfect coffee table tome?” Well, the wait is finally over as we welcome Fragrance: From Plant To Perfume.

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Monday, 12 September 2022

4711 REMIX COLOGNE by Delphine Lebeau

4711 Remix Cologne 2022 Grapefruit Bottle

Every perfume company longs to create a fragrance that stands the test of time. Recent releases are considered timeless if they last ten years, but a scent that manages to reach its two hundred and thirtieth birthday is most definitely legendary. A favourite of soldiers returning from Germany, and possibly the ultimate refreshing cologne, I’m talking about 4711. Originally launched in 1792, the difficulty of following up a worldwide hit is the double edged sword that comes with success. 4711 tackled this head on and when they started their Remix collection, and this year’s grapefruit explosion is destined to continue the tradition.

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Monday, 31 January 2022

4711 REMIX COLOGNE by Nathalie Lorson

When a company tries to reinvent itself for a new generation the results can often be decidedly mixed. The brand may veer off into unfamiliar territory or accidentally alienate their current customers, neither of which is a desirable outcome. One company that have absolutely achieved this reinvention however is 4711. Arguably the most famous cologne in the world, their yearly limited edition Remix Cologne collection continues to captivate both existing and new fans, to the extent that it’s now become a permanent addition to the catalogue. So, let’s get up to speed by discovering the 2021 edition, and join in the celebration of neroli.

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Monday, 5 July 2021

4711 by Mäurer & Wirtz

Fragrance fans are constantly searching for the next “big hitter” or “must have” scent and, because of this, often forget to look backwards as well as forwards. There are very few genuinely new trends in perfumery, they’ve all been seen before, it’s just the way that they’re presented that is different. However, we seem to be locked into the eternal quest for “newness” and, because of this, can find ourselves overlooking the faded and forgotten gems from another time. One such treasure must surely be 4711 by Mäurer & Wirtz. Arguably the world’s most famous cologne, it’s time this classic was rediscovered by a new generation.

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Monday, 31 August 2020

STEPHAN'S SIX - GAY SOPER

There are few actresses that deserve the title of “The Queen of the West End” more than Gay Soper. With an incredible career that has spanned more than fifty-five years, including a definitive performance as Madame Thenardier in Les Misérables, Gay is a welcome fixture of London’s theatre scene. A member of the original London production of Godspell, and the iconic voice of BBC Television’s The Flumps, I thought it was time to find out her scented secrets during “Stephan's Six.”

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Thursday, 2 July 2020

4711 REMIX COLOGNE by Alex Lee

Summer is the time of the year when we all hunt out the latest effervescent spritz to accompany us through another beachside holiday or weekend getaway. This year might see our vacation being considerably closer to home, but that doesn’t have to stop us creating our own little bit of sunshine. The fragrances that come out at this time of the year are all traditionally designed to uplift and energise us, and there is one company that has once again absolutely delivered on this promise. Now in its third year, Mäurer & Wirtz have released their latest 4711 Remix Cologne, and this time it’s a twist on the classic lemon.

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Monday, 29 July 2019

4711 REMIX COLOGNE by Christiane Plos

Reinvention is something that we all must secretly wish that we could do at some time or another but it’s a concept that can be very dangerous for a perfume company. Many brands survive because of the loyal following of its fans and, if you start to alter things, they can easily start to look elsewhere for their fragranced fix. One company that has successfully managed to reinvent itself, and still kept hold of its followers, is 4711. The idea of modernising their classic scent may have seemed like sacrilege to many but, once again, this year’s Remix Cologne has been handled with a lot of tender loving care.

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Monday, 8 April 2019

STEPHAN'S SIX - JESSICA BUCHANAN

After originally training as an aromatherapist, Jessica Buchanan moved from her native Canada to train at the Grasse Institute of Perfumery. Internships at Robertet and Mane followed and finally, in 2010, she launched her own perfume company in the heart of Grasse. Nine years after founding 1000 Flowers I thought it was time to find out a little more about Jessica during “Stephan’s Six”.

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Monday, 27 August 2018

STEPHAN'S SIX - AGNES COSTA

Agnès Costa, great granddaughter of the founder of Fragonard Parfumerie, is one of the three sisters that now steer this famous company. Originally founded in 1926 in Grasse, Fragonard has stayed true to its style during the ninety-two years and has secured a very loyal following. After spending a career perfuming others, I thought it was time to find out Agnès Costa’s fragrance favourites during “Stephan’s Six.”

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Thursday, 9 August 2018

EAU DE COLOGNE - Apply With Abandon

The word “cologne” has become a little misunderstood in recent years with the term being used to describe anything from strength to gender. As companies played fast and loose with this classic style of fragrance, customers no longer realised just how wonderful this bottle of freshness could be. In an attempt to unscramble the confusion I asked four perfumers to give their opinion on the style, and also to reveal their favourites. Marina Barcenilla, Pia Long, Sarah McCartney and Andy Tauer have all gathered a loyal following with their mix of creativity and knowledge, so could they help us to revisit the classic cologne?

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Monday, 18 June 2018

4711 REMIX COLOGNE by Nicholas Beaulieu

If you were asked what the most famous cologne in the world is then the chances are that 4711 would probably come to mind. This classic cologne has been a favourite since it launched back in 1792 and it became a regular gift for soldiers returning from Germany to give to their wives, even well into the 1970s. Originally created by Mülhens but now owned by Mäurer & Wirtz, 4711 has had numerous companion fragrances in the past but this year sees the beginning of a new seven-year series called 4711 Remix Cologne. Described as “tangy, loud and fresh”, let me introduce you to this year’s orange inspired interpretation.

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Monday, 13 March 2017

STEPHAN'S SIX - GRANT OSBORNE

When Grant Osborne set up Basenotes in 2000 it was one of the first websites dedicated to fragrance. An approach of fact over rumour has meant it has become a serious research tool for anyone who works in the perfume industry. A self confessed lover of Haribo, Tea, Bacon and Marmite, I wondered what would we find out about Grant’s own perfume memories when I asked him “Stephan’s Six”?

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Monday, 31 October 2016

STEPHAN'S SIX - JIM CARUSO

Jim Caruso is best known among the Broadway theatre fraternity for hosting the famous Cast Party at Birdland, which he also brings annually to Brasserie Zédel in London, but his list of other credits is long. Actor, singer, dancer, he even co-starred with Kathie Lee Gifford in Personal Assistant … and survived! As one of Liza Minnelli’s long standing friends he performed with her on Broadway in 2009, but what would we learn about his own scented secrets during “Stephan’s Six”?

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Monday, 25 January 2016

STEPHAN'S SIX - SARAH McCARTNEY

A true maverick in the world of the independent perfumer, Sarah McCartney has a wonderfully irreverent attitude to creation. She came from a journalistic background, not a chemistry background, discovered a love of perfume making, and with an eccentric approach has created some of the most challenging fragrances on the market under the name 4160 Tuesdays. Anyone who has smelt Dark Heart Of Old Havana will know that this woman has the ability to bottle pure sexual desire. So, with some trepidation, it was time to ask her "Stephan's Six".

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After twenty successful years as an actor, I decided the time was right to begin a new career, and that was in the perfume industry. Scent had always been a passion of mine, and working alongside a new group of creative minds ended up being the perfect fit.

As a Brand Consultant, Evaluator, Copywriter and New Business Advisor, the variety of work is exciting, and definitely draws on my acting background. Every day brings new challenges, experiences and delights to a workplace that is crammed full of new releases, evergreens, and fading classics.

This website brings together my ramblings on all aspects of the perfume industry from bottle design to fragrance, companies to noses, and everything in between.

Opinions are my own and do not in any way represent the views of the companies mentioned. Where products or services have been provided by the companies it is stated at the end of the article.

Companies and readers are welcome to contact me by using the Send Me A Message option below.

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Monday, 20 July 2026

Monday, 15 September 2025

Monday, 11 November 2024

Monday, 12 September 2022

Monday, 31 January 2022

Monday, 5 July 2021

Monday, 31 August 2020

Thursday, 2 July 2020

Monday, 29 July 2019

Monday, 8 April 2019

Monday, 27 August 2018

Thursday, 9 August 2018

Monday, 18 June 2018

Monday, 13 March 2017

Monday, 31 October 2016

Monday, 25 January 2016