Stephan Matthews

Showing posts with label Grasse. Show all posts

Monday, 6 July 2026

EAU DES VACANCES by Fragonard

Certain scents have an incredible way of whisking you straight back to your favourite summer holiday. A splash of coconut might remind you of sun cream on a golden beach, while salty sea notes bring back breezy walks along the coast. Juicy citrus can transport you to lazy afternoons in Italy, sipping fresh lemonade beneath orange trees, and tropical fruits instantly evoke poolside cocktails and warm evenings. Fragrance has a unique connection to memory, making it one of the easiest ways to relive those carefree moments. That’s why one spritz of Eau des Vacances from Fragonard can capture the feeling of sunshine and adventure.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Monday, 9 February 2026

T–HÉRITAGE by Galimard

A bottle of the perfume T-HÉRITAGE from Galimard, that focus on tuberose

Grasse is world-famous for its fragrant flowers, which have been cultivated for centuries to supply the perfume houses, because the region’s climate and soil nurture iconic blooms like jasmine, May rose, orange blossom and tuberose. Still harvested with great care, these flowers are prized for their complex scents. Jasmine adds sensual warmth, May rose brings soft elegance, and orange blossom offers luminous freshness. Together they form the heart of many classic fragrances. Among these flowers, tuberose stands out for its creamy, intoxicating depth, and the latest perfume to capture this is T-HÉRITAGE from Galimard.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Monday, 21 July 2025

HOMME ÉLÉGANT by Quentin Bisch

There is no denying that the world of perfume is most definitely an expensive one to inhabit and, with most fragrances beginning in the realms of £100, that’s why the “dupe” market has gained such a foothold in the past few years. There obviously isn’t any defence for copying someone else’s work, whether that be a fragrance, a candle, or even a shower gel, but convincing the more modest-budget customers to try an original perfume can be a struggle. So, what if I told you there was a whole range waiting to be discovered? It’s time to take a closer look at Fragonard, and in particular Homme Élégant.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Monday, 28 April 2025

FLEUR DE CITRONNIER by Fragonard

A bottle of the perfume Fleur de Citronnier by Karine Dubreuil-Sereni for Fragonard

The seasonal release from any perfume company is often looked forward to with a greater anticipation than their main ranges, because the excitement of discovering the latest treat, and also knowing that it’s a limited edition, turns the act of wearing fragrance into something even more special. Summer and Spring launches were historically dominated by Bronze Goddess from Estée Lauder and the Aqua Allegoria collection from Guerlain, but all of that was challenged in 2010 when Fragonard began its own seasonal scent range. This year sees Fleur de Citronnier take centre stage, and the result is an uplifting delight.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Monday, 1 July 2024

LILAS by Fragonard

The excited wait for a new fragrance launch is something that is lost on many people these days, simply because there seems to be a new perfume released every minute! Keeping focused when there are images of bottles assaulting your eyes on social media, and campaigns running on the tv, gets harder every year. Add into this the ever-increasing prices and you’d be forgiven for taking up a more inexpensive hobby. Thankfully there’s one company that always keeps its offerings affordable and exciting. Fragonard have continued their Flower of the Year series into 2024 with Lilas, and the result is deliciously delightful.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Monday, 3 June 2024

BLEU RIVIERA by Fragonard

The scent of the sea has been a fragrance trend that, whilst arguably exemplified by the classic L'eau d'Issey pour Homme, continues to be experimented with constantly by perfume houses around the world. This idea of capturing the aroma, the feel, and the look of the ocean has been presented in many forms, but not all of them have managed to capture both the majesty alongside the delicacy. For the launch of their new eau de toilette, Fragonard have thrown their hat into the ring and introduced a second aquatic fragrance to their male range, and it’s a celebration in the form of Bleu Riviera by Jordi Fernández.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Monday, 25 March 2024

ORANGE BLOSSOM PETAL by 1000 Flowers

A bottle of Orange Blossom Petal perfume by 1000 Flowers

Many fragrances take their names from singular ingredients or, as became the fashion when Jo Malone London started the trend, a combination of defined notes. Who can ever forget Lime Basil & Mandarin? This is a great way to focus the customer on the style of fragrance that they are going to smell and, in the case of singular names, the star ingredient. However, there is always the risk of preconceived ideas based on previous smelling experience. So, when 1000 Flowers launched Orange Blossom Petal, they cleverly implied a delicacy to the usual robust orange blossom, and the result was a delightful semi-floral experience.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Monday, 10 July 2023

ENCENS ET CREDRE by 1000 Flowers

A bottle of Encens et Cedre wellness water by 1000 Flowers

There are certain fragrance styles that forever feel as though they’re pushed to the limit with overwhelming volume and aggression, and so finding one where the perfumer has deliberately gone in the other direction is always an absolute joy. Delicacy and contentment mixing with a feeling of intimacy and fascination may sound like a combination that is impossible to achieve, but I’m happy to say it has. Encens et Cedre is the latest release from 1000 Flowers and, under the ever-inspiring eye of perfumer Jessica Buchanan, sits seamlessly alongside her existing “eau de bien-être” fragrances to create an unrivalled trio.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Monday, 22 May 2023

BEL ORANGER by Fragonard

Bottle of Bel Oranger perfume by Fragonard

Perfumery owes much of its magic to the actual ingredients found within a fragrance and, while the perfumer ultimately blends these into a finished scent, these building blocks can also often be the inspiration for a finished fragrance. Many flowers and resins produce one ingredient that can be harnessed and used in a perfume, but the bitter orange tree is a source of multiple oils. From the bitter orange fruit to the neroli flower, or the petitgrain leaves and twigs to the orange blossom absolute, it's a bountiful source. So, for their latest addition to the Flowers of the Perfumer series, Fragonard have chosen to celebrate Bel Oranger.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Monday, 6 March 2023

NARCISSE by Fragonard

A bottle of Narcisse perfume from Fragonard, their 2023 Flower of the Year created by Karin Dubreuil

The winter this year has felt like a very long, and a decidedly cold three months. That’s why the first signs of spring were eagerly welcomed by us all. Those green shoots bursting through the soil, promising the flowers that were to come, gave off an excitement if not any actual warmth. This period before the garden truly springs into action can be a little barren with regards to colour, but that doesn’t mean delicate white petals aren’t something to be celebrated. For their 2023 Flower of the Year, Fragonard has fixed its sights on the perfectly formed Narcisse, and it’s as captivating as its Grecian inspiration.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Monday, 29 August 2022

THE SOINS ESSENTIELS COLECTION by Fragonard

Fragonard Soins Essentiels range of natural and organic skincare

When we think about perfume our thoughts instinctively go to the scented spritz that comes out of our favourite bottle. However, we forget that our daily lives are also scented with everything from fabric softener to shower gel. It’s natural then that customers have started to ask questions about the suitability of fragrance within certain products, and especially within skincare. The scent of your favourite face cream or hand lotion is often as important as the result, but can scent and substance be made to work together? Fragonard have just launched their Soins Essentiels range, and the results are a little piece of Provençal perfection.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Monday, 17 January 2022

EGLANTINE by Fragonard

With every new year comes a new selection of perfume releases, and 2022 shows no signs of disappointing. From Guerlain right through to Jo Malone London, this year’s latest launches have been created, bottled and are waiting to be unveiled to the public. However, even though we may only just be coming out of the Christmas period, one company have already revealed their newest fragrance. The latest addition to Fragonard’s Flower of the Year collection is Eglantine and, in the clever hands of perfumer Karine Dubreuil, you will be powerless to resist it. So, you'd better get ready for a well-timed rose resurgence.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Monday, 27 September 2021

FLEUR DE LA PASSION by Fragonard

When you hear the words “new release” it’s usually accompanied by a sinking feeling as you realise that there’s a hefty price tag attached to it. The majority of the latest perfume launches start from around £50 if you’re lucky and so, in the current climate of uncertainty, they're out of the reach of many people’s budgets. Happily there is one company that always treats us to an affordable release every year, and that’s Fragonard. Their highly successful Flower of the Year series is now in its second decade, and this year they’ve chosen to spotlight the delicious Fleur de la Passion by series regular Celine Ellena.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Thursday, 27 May 2021

FLEUR DE LAVANDE by 1000 Flowers

As we slowly begin to exit the rules that have governed us for over a year, we do it in the knowledge that there are others who are not so lucky. Their lives are still restricted and many don’t have the freedoms that we now do in Britain. It’s because of this uncertainty, and also because we’ve all been on a long voyage of self-discovery, that many of us are now reaching for “simpler” products. Overly blended fragrances are being glossed over in favour of a purer style, and none embodies this more than Fleur de Lavande from 1000 Flowers. The archetypal soliflore, it’s time to take a scented journey to the town of Grasse.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Thursday, 4 March 2021

ROSE GERANIUM & PETITGRAIN by 1000 Flowers

Over the past twelve months the main thing that I've learned about myself and my surroundings is how refreshing simplicity can be. Having the metaphorical rug pulled out from under us all threw our preconceived ideas and entrenched habits out of the window as well. What we were left with was almost the essence of what we all individually needed, and personal lessons have been learned that shouldn’t be forgotten. Perfume has a habit of being complicated and shrouded in mystery, and so finding a scent that revels in this idea of simplicity is rare. That is until you discover the exquisite Rose Geranium & Petitgrain from 1000 Flowers.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Monday, 7 December 2020

Fragonard's Christmas Candle Duo

Christmas is the time of year when “familiarity” often overtakes “newness”. For the previous eleven months we are bombarded with release after release which is why, for many, the festive season becomes about falling back on trusted favourites. The feeling of being surrounded by scents and aromas that evoke happy memories is important at any time, but even more so as we prepare to leave 2020 behind us. Many companies still ploughed on with new products, but others have decided to tread more delicately. One example of the latter is Fragonard and their Christmas candle duo of Allumez-Moi and Le Feu Sous la Glace.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Thursday, 5 November 2020

SECRET ABSOLU by Fragonard

When we see a new fragrance appear from our favourite company we often forget that there have been months, or even years of preparation to get to this stage. From deciding on the concept to choosing the perfumer, every brand tries their hardest to look into the future and create a new bestseller. Whether you’re large or small the same goal applies. When Fragonard was deciding on the new fragrance to join their masculine collection they decided it was time to push the boundaries of expectation and, with a nod to faraway travel, the timing of Secret Absolu couldn’t have been more perfect.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Thursday, 20 August 2020

TOUJOURS ESPOIR and ÉTOILE CÉLESTE by Villa des Parfums

When we think of Grasse the first thoughts that come to our heads are of idyllic flower fields, women collecting blooms in their aprons, and the thrill of working in perfume’s spiritual home. We’ve had this story recounted so many times to us that it’s become the accepted narrative of the town, but it’s literally this “rose tinted glasses” view of the scented destination that often means we miss the challenges that they actually face. This was the reason that Parfums de Vie was founded and why, ten years later, the charity launched their wonderful duo of non-profit fragrances under the name of Villa des Parfums.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Thursday, 30 July 2020

RACINE DE VETIVER by Jessica Buchanan

When we think about the scent of certain ingredients our minds often unconsciously latch onto the smell of a fragrance that shares its name. How many times have you seen companies launch perfumes with gardenia, sandalwood, even oud proudly displayed on the front of the bottle? These are all blends of ingredients that give a scented experience that may, or may not, mirror the smell of the original. One perfumer who has excelled at harnessing, amplifying, and exploding an ingredient is Jessica Buchanan with her latest fragrance called Racine de Vetiver. Forget your preconceptions because you’re in for a real treat.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

Thursday, 9 July 2020

FRAGONARD MAGAZINE - Their Gift To You

During the past few months you’ll all have seen the increase in the quantity of online perfume discussions, interviews, and articles. This has all helped us to stay connected to our favourite companies and, whilst the quality may have been variable, at least they’ve tried. This is the first time that many brands have offered this kind of material, but one French company is now in their eighth year of giving customers an incredible magazine for free. Fragonard has seen many changes during its ninety-four years of fragrancing the Côte d’Azur, but none was more welcome than the launch of their very own publication.

Click here to read the rest of this post >>

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.

Pages

Monday, 6 July 2026

Monday, 9 February 2026

Monday, 21 July 2025

Monday, 28 April 2025

Monday, 1 July 2024

Monday, 3 June 2024

Monday, 25 March 2024

Monday, 10 July 2023

Monday, 22 May 2023

Monday, 6 March 2023

Monday, 29 August 2022

Monday, 17 January 2022

Monday, 27 September 2021

Thursday, 27 May 2021

Thursday, 4 March 2021

Monday, 7 December 2020

Thursday, 5 November 2020

Thursday, 20 August 2020

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Thursday, 9 July 2020