Many people teach perfumery but very few are able claim the industry experience that Karen Gilbert can. She worked as a fragrance evaluator for many years before starting her own teaching and consultancy business, and her courses are always inspirational. A regular at perfumery events, what secrets would she reveal during "Stephan's Six"?
Different periods in history result in different fascinations, and these make themselves known in various forms. What do I mean by this? Simply that the subject or fashion of the day will find its way into every part of our normal life. Remember Bakelite and Melamine? They were used in every conceivable form, including as perfume bottles. So, in an era that became fascinated by the heavens Jaques Guerlain created Vega, and even placed it on its very own melamine plinth. To celebrate the perfume's ninetieth birthday let's plunge headlong into the stars and rediscover this lost Guerlain classic.
Chandler Burr, born in Chicago and raised in Washington, began his journalism career in 1987, but it was his book The Emperor of Scent which brought him to the attention of perfume fans around the world. As a result, from August 2006 until the end of 2010, Chandler was perfume critic for the New York Times before leaving to create the Department of Olfactory Art at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City. Now, he said that he wanted his answers to "Stephan's Six" to be "super short", and indeed they are. So, hold on tight because they come thick and fast!
When I was invited last July to spend a day with Sarah McCartney of 4160Tuesdays you would have thought that I would jump at the chance. Unfortunately I could never get the dates of her perfume courses to work for me. So imagine my delight when I heard that there was space on one in January, and that I could finally go. Perfume creation is not something that is new to me, but workshops have always been a fairly formal affair with structures and briefs so I was curious what format Sarah's would take. As she is also known for being wonderfully entertaining I knew that anything could happen and probably would.
One of the most influential beauty bloggers, Jane Daly started her career in Canadian real estate before switching to perfume and cosmetics. After many years of advising her friends she decided to launch her own beauty website offering fun, facts and fascinating finds. So, I thought it was time to learn a little bit more about Jane Daly for a change, and arranged to ask her "Stephan's Six".
Every perfume company has exclusives and limited editions, but these cater for a very specific customer. Some people just buy fragrance because it's fun or, get ready for a bombshell, because they simply enjoy the smell! For this second group the seasonal release can really appeal if it's presented in a premium way. Alongside the regular Aqua Allegoria release, Guerlain have a tradition of issuing “travel exclusive” versions. Rose had always been a staple of the airport edition but this year’s floral is a little different. Let's journey through the past Guerlain Travel Exclusives before we discover what this year has to offer.
Britain’s favourite “Battleaxe” Christine Hamilton has left behind the world of politics to become a “Media Butterfly”. Her childhood was spent in the New Forest before becoming a research assistant at the House of Commons. Christine is always ready and willing to stand up for her beliefs and principles, which makes her a favourite on TV and in the press, but what would she make of “Stephan’s Six”?
When Guerlain launched Santal Royal in October 2014 it is fair to say that its success took everyone a little by surprise. It seemed that every week brought a new Oud fragrance, and the market was becoming saturated. Somehow this black beacon, itself a reworking of the classic Aqua Allegoria bottle, grabbed the attention of the customer and its place in Guerlain's catalogue was secured. However, in the way of all perfume houses, its success meant that there had to be a successor. It arrived in January 2016 and was called Ambre Éternel. With a lot to live up to, what would the new fragrance bring to this once classic brand?
A consultant in the oil and gas industry might not be the usual background for a perfumery owner, but that is exactly the background of Sophia Fannon-Howell. Deco London, the latest Niche brand, has launched six fragrances based around a love of the 1920s. So, what would we learn about Sophia's own history during "Stephan's Six"?
