After an impressive career working with some of the world’s finest fragrance and beauty houses, Rebecca Harrison decided that the time was right to launch her own perfume company, Vines House Parfum. Having split her time between Dorset and the southwest of France, the collection drew on the parallels between the wine and fragrance industries, and proved an instant hit with customers that were looking for perfumes with a story. So, as they celebrate their second birthday, I thought it was time to learn a little more about Rebecca during “Stephan’s Six”.
Showing posts with label Lancôme. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lancôme. Show all posts
Monday, 16 August 2021
STEPHAN'S SIX - REBECCA HARRISON
After an impressive career working with some of the world’s finest fragrance and beauty houses, Rebecca Harrison decided that the time was right to launch her own perfume company, Vines House Parfum. Having split her time between Dorset and the southwest of France, the collection drew on the parallels between the wine and fragrance industries, and proved an instant hit with customers that were looking for perfumes with a story. So, as they celebrate their second birthday, I thought it was time to learn a little more about Rebecca during “Stephan’s Six”.
Monday, 3 May 2021
The SEASONAL SCENTS SUBSCRIPTION BOX from The Perfume Society
The way that fragrances are categorised can often be one of the main factors when it comes to deciding whether to purchase the latest release or not. This is because we all like shortcuts to finding our favourite scent, and we hope that it will save us costly mistakes. However, if you think of male versus female, citrus versus woody, or even niche versus commercial, then you’ll realise just how broad these categorises can be. With retail only just starting to get going again, and many people still reliant on home discovery, this is what makes The Seasonal Scents Subscription Box a welcome addition for fragrance fans.
Thursday, 19 March 2020
STEPHAN'S SIX - NICOLA THOMIS
Nicola Thomis is the founder and lead writer on The Sniff, a website that has given her the opportunity to review both classic and modern fragrances. A fellow Jasmine Award nominee, and the queen of the York fragrance scene, I wondered what fragranced secrets she would reveal during “Stephan’s Six”.
Monday, 17 February 2020
STEPHAN'S SIX - BARBARA HERMAN
Barbara Herman became well known to the fragrance community through Yesterday’s Perfume, a blog which concentrated on her love of vintage scents. This subsequently inspired her bestselling book, Scent & Subversion, and sowed the seeds for her own perfume range, Eris Parfums. With a fascination for classic fragrances, I wondered what scented secrets Barbara would reveal during “Stephan’s Six”.
Labels:
Angel,
Balmain,
Bandit,
Barbara Herman,
Clarins,
Creed,
Eau Dynamisante,
Eris Parfums,
Fracas,
Germaine Cellier,
Get Wild,
Lancôme,
Lanvin,
Magie Noire,
Piguet,
Prince,
Rumeur,
Thierry Mugler,
Vent Vert
Monday, 3 February 2020
TABAC ROSE by bdk Parfums
You often hear the word “exclusive” applied to perfumes within a company’s range but, more often than not, they tend to be a discontinued fragrance that’s been rereleased under a new name. This is wonderful news for fans of the original but it can smack of a laziness on the part of the company. What is always exciting though is when an “exclusive” is released from a young niche brand because, as they don’t have a huge archive, the fragrance is likely to be a new creation. This is the case with Tabac Rose from bdk Parfums, the Harrods exclusive that has definitely set temperatures racing.
Labels:
bdk Parfums,
David Benedek,
Eglantes,
Exclusive,
Harrods,
IFF,
Independent,
Je Reviens,
Je Reviens Couture,
Julien Rasquinet,
Lancôme,
Les Parfums Worth,
Niche,
Palais Royal,
Paris,
Pierre Bourdon,
Tabac Rose
Monday, 7 October 2019
STEPHAN'S SIX - SONIA CONSTANT
After training at ISIPCA in Versailles, Sonia Constant joined the world-famous Givaudan and went on to create for the likes of Guerlain, Narciso Rodriguez, and Alexander McQueen. She possesses the rare talent of combining passion with precision and so when I met her at the UK launch of her own perfume range, ELLA K, I wanted to discover the perfumer’s own fragrance memories during “Stephan’s Six”.
Labels:
Allure,
Chanel,
Dior,
Eau Sauvage,
ELLA K,
First,
Givaudan,
Guerlain,
Lancôme,
Lettre de Pushka,
Mélodie de l'Altaï,
Must de Cartier,
No.5,
Poison,
Sonia Constant,
Stephan's Six,
Tresor,
Van Cleef & Arpels
Monday, 30 September 2019
STEPHAN'S SIX - ISABELLE GELLÉ
With a perfume heritage stretching back to 1826, Isabelle Gellé has dedicated herself to the creation of natural fragrances. One hundred and eighty years later, in 2006, she finally launched her own company and currently has three collections that take inspiration from travel right through to time. With a new home series about to launch, it’s time to discover Isabelle’s own perfume memories during “Stephan’s Six”.
Labels:
Agent Provocateur,
Bottega Veneta,
Bourjois,
Chanel,
Dior,
Eau Sauvage,
Fidji,
Gellé Frères,
Isabelle Gellé,
Lancôme,
Laroche,
Magie Noire,
No.5,
O de Lancome,
Soir De Paris,
Stephan's Six,
Violette
Monday, 21 May 2018
STEPHAN'S SIX - SVEN PRITZKOLEIT
After studying to become a pharmacist in the family business, Sven Pritzkoleit also realised a long-standing fascination with perfumery. Many years of trial and error, studying and creating, and learning about the raw materials of scent ultimately resulted in critically acclaimed fragrances under the name of SP Parfums. With praise from the industry and fans alike, and also recent collaborations with Miguel Magos and Zooloigst, I thought it was time to find out about Sven’s own fragrance memories during “Stephan’s Six”.
Labels:
Caron,
Dark Rose,
Hyrax,
Kouros,
Lancôme,
Lignum Vitae Forte,
Liquorice Vetiver,
Magie Noire,
Miguel Matos,
Opium,
Poivre,
Shaving Soap,
SP Parfums,
Stephan's Six,
Sven Pritzkoleit,
YSL,
Yves Saint Laurent,
Zoologist
Monday, 17 July 2017
What's New To You?
Every year we see literally thousands of fragrances released both worldwide and also in specific countries. We are already half way through 2017 and if you have managed to smell every one of those launched so far this year then I am very impressed, but also more than a little sceptical. Every time you turn around there seems to be a new advertising campaign, a new “exclusive” ingredient, and a new dreaded flanker. So, you can be forgiven for missing a few of these new releases along the way. This week I was told, “everything is new to someone”, and in the world of perfume releases that couldn't be truer.
Labels:
Basil & Neroli,
Bergamote Calabria,
Eau de Campagne,
Estée Lauder,
Givenchy,
Guerlain,
Jo Malone,
Lancôme,
Les Parfums Worth,
Modern Muse,
O de Lancome,
Pagan,
Pi,
Picot,
Poême,
Sisley
Monday, 10 April 2017
STAR MAGNOLIA - Jo Malone's Spring Blossom
It’s blossom time again for Jo Malone London! A now regular tradition for the company, the limited edition Spring/Summer floral immediately follows their Brit Collection every year. This time it’s the turn of Star Magnolia, which promises to be “flirtatious, pristine and gleaming”. The company has once again turned to Anne Flipo of IFF to create this “tantalising” bloom in the hope that it will mirror the success of last year’s Nashi Blossom by Fabrice Pellegrin. Having already created their 2016 Herb Garden collection, as well as Basil & Neroli, Anne understands the style but how would she fare with this Shanghai floral?
Thursday, 9 March 2017
Is Being "On Trend" Really The Enemy?
The perfume industry is the same as any other industry in the twenty first century, it has to move quickly and follow trends. Yes, there are some companies who actively try to go head to head with customer’s expectations and these are to be applauded. They offer a beacon in a sea of similarity but in all honesty, and I know that I will get shouted at for saying this, is there really a problem with companies taking the lead off their competitors? The powerhouse that is Lancôme’s La Vie Est Belle has spawned multiple “homages” but so did Chanel’s No.5. So, are we being too harsh on an industry where being "on trend" is nothing new?
Labels:
Anne Flipo,
Chanel,
Chiris,
Coty,
Dominique Ropion,
Ernest Beaux,
Guerlain,
L'Aimant,
La Vie Est Belle,
Lancôme,
Mon Exclusif,
Mon Guerlain,
Olivier Polge,
Thierry Wasser,
Vincent Roubert
Thursday, 9 February 2017
TERRE DE LUMIÈRE - L'Occitane's "Golden Hour"
When Olivier Baussan first started manufacturing soap in 1976 nobody could have imagined that he would go on to form the globally recognised L’Occitane. With an emphasis on sustainability he attracted a loyal following, which meant that he was able to open his first store in 1981, but it was a focus on the Provencal traditions that set him apart when he ventured into fragrance in 1991. L’Occitane’s most recent release is Terre de Lumière, a “Gourmand Aromatic” fragrance, and it is definitely one that will surprise a lot of people. Come with me as we discover what is known as the “Golden Hour”.
Thursday, 7 July 2016
LA PETITE ROBE NOIRE INTENSE - The Imitation Game
When Guerlain launched La Petite Robe Noire Eau Fraîche in 2015 everyone presumed that the wardrobe was complete. That fourth release, or sixth depending on how you're counting, was a "fresh" interpretation and complimented the other three. However, just when Guerlain fans breathed a collective sigh of relief William Lescure, president of Guerlain Canada, dropped the bombshell that there was an exclusive "sweeter" version on the horizon, but it soon became clear that it would actually be a worldwide release. The new edition, La Petite Robe Noire Intense, is really good, but then I've been enjoying it for four years already!
Thursday, 26 May 2016
HAS "NICHE" HAD ITS DAY?
One of the problems with perfume, as with most other hobbies or pastimes, is that there will always be an element of snobbery from certain camps. This can be around a particular brand, certain perfumers, even the direction that companies choose to take their scents. I find the greatest cause of misinformation usually comes from this group as they wage a war against anything that classifies as "mainstream". The word that is bandied around constantly at the moment is "niche", but is it time that we finally put it to bed in favour of a different one? I know that I am sticking my head well and truly above the parapet but my heckles are raised and it's time to voice my opinion.Thursday, 21 January 2016
Lancôme's NEW La Vie Est Belle Florale
I don't think that anyone could have truly predicted the phenomenal success of Lancôme's La Vie Est Belle back in 2012, and as we start 2016 few would have thought that a sixth version would be about to launch (excluding special editions). The key to the range's success was surely that each successive release was based on the original but pulled a different aspect of the fragrance to the fore, so the customer already had a familiarity with each new addition. The latest version, La Vie Est Belle Florale, launches in the UK on 21st February so let's take a journey through the whole series before seeing what to expect from the new one.
Thursday, 31 December 2015
Guerlain, YSL and Penhaligon's - The Accountant Effect
As we take our first steps into a new year it's customary to look back on the previous twelve months and celebrate successes, whilst saying goodbye to failures. Well, the perfume industry is no different. The list of new releases gets longer every year and so casualties are inevitable. When decisions are made commercially, rather than artistically, love goes out of the window. With accountants entrusted to make the choices, is it true that "when love goes wrong, nothing goes right"?
There has always been a rush to copy successful perfumes or styles, but when a marketplace gets flooded with them then it is inevitable that the original will be the one to survive. The accountant’s spreadsheet will always aim to end in the black, but when commercialism starts to fight against a brand’s heritage, or the public’s expectations, then it can quickly spiral down into the red. Yves Saint Laurent, Guerlain and Penhaligon’s have all fallen foul to this trend during 2015, and whilst there’s light at the end of the tunnel the journey is far from over.
Monday, 14 December 2015
STEPHAN'S SIX - MONSIEUR GUERLAIN
When Monsieur Guerlain started his website back in 2006 it was because there was so little information available about the company. Apart from a few books there was no dedicated site. A lifelong fan, he started to pull together every piece of information that he could find, and his impartiality meant that he has become the unofficial authority on Guerlain. Always writing under his nom de plume, what would we learn about him from "Stephan's Six"?
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