Stephan Matthews

Thursday, 8 August 2019

The FRAGRANCE DISCOVERY BOX by Harvey Nichols and The Perfume Society

It’s very true that “variety is the spice of life” but, in the world of perfume, the continuous stream of new fragrances can become a little overwhelming. In the niche market it can be even more intimidating because the increased price means that you don’t want to make a costly mistake. So, where do you start? This month sees the launch of the Fragrance Discovery Box which is a collaboration between Harvey Nichols and The Perfume Society. Eight curated niche companies, many of them exclusive to the store, are gathered together in one scented experience and the results are, in the words of Edina Monsoon, “absolutely fabulous!”

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Monday, 5 August 2019

THREE SENSATIONALLY SCENTED SOAKS

We often think that soaking in a bath belongs to the autumn or winter months but what would you say if I told you that summertime bathing is making a real comeback? Those people who don’t have the luxury of a pool in the back garden are turning to the bathtub to provide some much-needed respite from the continuing heat. Now, bubbles just don’t seem to cut it in hot weather but clear, fragranced water is an absolute joy to relax in. So, grab a book and a glass of wine because I’m going to introduce you to three sensationally scented soaks that are perfect for summertime bathing.

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Thursday, 1 August 2019

ANCIENT LAND and RING O' ROSES by Claira Carnell

Perfume is something that we take for granted in our modern lives but, if you do a little digging, the combining of scents and ingredients played a much more powerful part in the past. Apothecaries, herbalists, and even those practising witchcraft depended on the flora and fauna around them to produce perfumes, potions, and preparations. It was therefore with some trepidation that I ventured into the world of Screaming Mandrake Perfumes, a range of fragrances that have been created by Claira Carnell, but I quickly found myself bewitched by the simplicity and style of Ancient Land and Ring o’ Roses.

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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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Thursday, 25 July 2019

N°19 by SG79

It seems as if discovering the world of independent perfumery is a little bit like travelling around the globe at the moment. France, America, and the United Kingdom have always been centres for niche perfumers but, more recently, its influence has spread further afield. One of the latest sees a journey over to Stockholm in Sweden and the debut collection from SG79. The company promises “scents with no limitation to fashion or lifestyle, just fine fragrance for you to explore and enjoy.” With a range of eleven to choose from there is something for everyone, but I found N°19 to have an arresting delicacy.

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Monday, 22 July 2019

PAUSE ROOM DIFFUSER by Eloise Hall

In the same way that some people have a “fragrance wardrobe” for different seasons, it’s not uncommon to see candles side-lined in the warmer months in favour of diffusers. Candles always remain popular for garden tables and alfresco dining but, inside the home, there is a definite pull towards the constantly scenting properties of a diffuser. There are many excellent ones on the market, even if they can often lack a certain originality, but if you’re looking to bring a little of the garden into your home then you need to discover Pause, one of Eloise Hall’s range of natural room diffusers that really are a breath of fresh air.

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Thursday, 18 July 2019

MON ÂME by 1907 Perfumes

When a new perfume company is launched it is often because the founder has a love of fragrance or has previously worked in the perfume industry. However, occasionally it is because there is already a family heritage that exists, whether it be dormant or not, and that sparks the idea to tread gently once more into a very overcrowded marketplace. With many brands vying for a piece of the pie, some carefully curated history can help to set you apart from the others. This is exactly what happened with Evka Škovranová when she launched 1907 Perfumes and, four years later, the beautiful Mon âme.

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Monday, 15 July 2019

RÉGLISSE NOIRE and ROSE CASSIS PARADIS by Jessica Buchanan

The road to becoming a perfumer is an incredibly varied one with choices and sacrifices needing to be made from the very beginning. One of the biggest decisions though is whether to train privately or as part of an institution, or even to dispense with formal training all together. When Jessica Buchanan took the brave leap to move from western Canada to Grasse she really did put all of her eggs in one basket, but she was determined to succeed. Twelve years later she is the founder of her own company, 1000 Flowers, and the creator of the exquisite fragrances Réglisse Noire and Rose Cassis Paradis.

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Thursday, 11 July 2019

BLUEBERRY & BERGAMOT by The Otter Candle Co

When you’re launching a new brand it’s important to match the image to the product. This may sound like a very basic idea but, unfortunately, it is often something that is misjudged. Once the world has seen the way your company looks it’s very difficult to reinvent yourself. Now, major corporations can spend millions to get this right and so it always comes as a surprise when a small, independent company gets it right first time. The Otter Candle Co was launched in September 2018 and has managed to perfectly combine its playful scents with the cheekiness of the animal, but how do the candles actually perform?

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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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Thursday, 8 August 2019

Monday, 5 August 2019

Thursday, 1 August 2019

Monday, 29 July 2019

Thursday, 25 July 2019

Monday, 22 July 2019

Thursday, 18 July 2019

Monday, 15 July 2019

Thursday, 11 July 2019