Stephan Matthews

Showing posts with label New York. Show all posts

Monday, 23 May 2022

DŪMBO by THE 5TH

DŪMBO perfume bottle from the company called THE 5TH

The words “niche”, “wearable” and “fragrance” are not always found in the same sentence. Many fragrance fans delight in hunting out a perfume that isn’t on the high street but, in doing so, occasionally end up purchasing something that will rarely be worn. Yes, the craftsmanship will be appreciated and discussed at length with likeminded fans, but it may struggle to find its place in the purchaser’s everyday line-up. There’s nothing wrong with a niche fragrance being wearable, and it doesn’t always have to pack a boxer’s punch, so it was great to find exactly this combination in the recently launched DŪMBO from THE 5TH.

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Thursday, 6 May 2021

GREEN MARKET by Keap Candles

Over the past twelve months one of the industries that has rocketed is home candles. There has been a never-ending roll call of new companies all promising that theirs was the greenest or the most luxurious, but it often just felt like the latest in a deluge of imitations and opportunism. From a kitchen counter through to industrial units, everyone seemed to be having a go. However, in amongst the “newness” there were also some established gems waiting to be discovered, and one such company is Keap Candles. Based in New York, I can honestly say that I was blown away by both the scents and the story.

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Monday, 26 October 2020

ASHTON by Olfactory NYC

One of the current fashions in the world of fragrance is giving the customer the ability to literally customise their perfume. This has an obvious major advantage over creating one from scratch, namely that it is significantly cheaper, but how the process is managed varies dramatically from company to company. It can often feel a little lacklustre, with few options, and so it makes you wonder just how “customisable” it really is. One of the companies to venture into this area is Olfactory NYC, and their method is a discovery experience in itself. So, let’s travel stateside as I introduce you to the sun and surf inspired Ashton.

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Monday, 19 October 2020

Keeping A Light Shining On Broadway

If there’s one thing that this pandemic has taught us it’s that every ounce of security can be ripped away at a moment’s notice. One of the sectors that has been particularly hit is theatre and, as someone who was an actor for twenty years, it is devastating to see friends and ex-colleagues suddenly left with no means of financial support. However, in an industry where “the show must go on”, a Broadway duo has come up with an inventive way to provide income for themselves and also other abandoned creatives. We Light literally is a "light in the darkness” and their Cast Party Candle is helping to keep the Broadway spirit alive.

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Monday, 27 July 2020

APSU by Ulrich Lang

If there is one fragrance style that is guaranteed to excite as well as uplift then it has to be one of those gloriously green scents. These perfumes that were once abundant in the electrically charged galbanum have, in more recent years, relied on man-made ingredients to conjure up cut grass and green leaves. However, when you skilfully combine the two then you can end up with a scent that transcends summery playfulness, adds in a dash of autumnal vegetation, and hints at tropical humidity. This is exactly what you get with Ulrich Lang’s 2016 fragrance Apsu. It may not be the latest, but it’s definitely one of the brightest.

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Monday, 8 July 2019

GUESS 1981 LOS ANGELES by Clément Gavarry

The perfumes that launch with the name of a fashion house or a celebrity on them are often looked down on by certain sections of the fragrance industry and also some customers. It is wrongly assumed that they will be low quality, unbalanced affairs that have been hastily put together and will disappear as quickly as they arrive. However, this isn’t the case and just as much effort often goes into them as you would expect from a Dior, a Chanel, or even a Guerlain. The latest fashion release is Guess 1981 Los Angeles and, if you’ve shied away from fashion houses in the past, you may be surprised by this beautiful summer fragrance.

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Thursday, 13 June 2019

COWBOY VETIVER by Beacon Mercantile

Creating a new perfume brand is not something that should be entered into lightly because, unfortunately for some, the already overcrowded niche market is a difficult one in which to succeed. Having a real love for what you do can help but, in the end, it comes down to exquisite products and a loyal customer base. One company that has managed to combine both of these qualities though is Beacon Mercantile, which was founded by Toni Hacker in New York. A combination of candles and skincare have proved hugely successful for the brand but it’s the fragrances that customers are finding truly addictive.

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Monday, 6 May 2019

RICH MESS by Ryan Richmond and Christophe Laudamiel

The Art and Olfaction Awards have been running for six years and have the goal of raising awareness of, and celebrating, independent perfumers. This band of artisan creators regularly push the boundaries of what is expected from fragrance and often influence the latest releases from the large companies. Winners can come from across the globe and this year saw one such recipient fly in from New York. Ryan Richmond’s first fragrance as creative director is Rich Mess, and it won the Independent Award. With perfumer Christophe Laudamiel responsible for realising the scent it was always destined to be special.

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Thursday, 19 April 2018

TEAKWOOD & TOBACCO by Oak 84

You can’t have failed to notice that the fashion for candles shows no signs of fading anytime soon. That combination of the flickering flame with an enveloping scent has made them the lifestyle must-have, and no home seems complete without one. The latest company to enter the candle arena is Oak 84, but their name may still be unfamiliar to many of you. Hand produced in South Carolina, and originally exclusive to the local boutiques in the area, Oak 84 have now also gone online and their reputation is spreading fast. So, with this in mind, I thought it was time to test-drive their Teakwood & Tobacco.

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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, 23 May 2022

Thursday, 6 May 2021

Monday, 26 October 2020

Monday, 19 October 2020

Monday, 27 July 2020

Monday, 8 July 2019

Thursday, 13 June 2019

Monday, 6 May 2019

Thursday, 19 April 2018