Stephan Matthews

Monday, 19 April 2021

CIEL D'ETÉ by L.T. Piver

Three years ago, almost to the day, I wrote an article about how the ageing process can alter a perfume’s scent. Over time the volatile citruses can thin out, if not disappear completely, and the resinous vanillas and woods can become decidedly richer than was ever intended. Add into the mix storage conditions and you’ll see why perception can become confused. This is why when I saw the discontinued Ciel d'Eté (Summer Sky) by L.T. Piver simply described as “leathery and woody” something didn’t sound right. So, I pulled my cherished bottle out of storage and, for the first time, opened it to the elements. What I smelled was totally unexpected.

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Thursday, 15 April 2021

REBEL SOUL by Bel Rebel

Every perfume brand that launches has the initial challenge of deciding exactly what is going to make them different from the thousands that are already in existence. Over the years there have been a myriad of broken promises and bucket loads of marketing, so you can understand that when a new fragrance is sent to me I like to do some digging before I write about it. “Challenging conventions” and offering “unexpected twists” have become commonplace phrases, but they aren’t always delivered. One company that has succeeded however is Bel Rebel, and their Rebel Soul perfume is gloriously exquisite in its simplicity.

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Monday, 12 April 2021

TASTE & FLAVOUR by Ryan Riley and Kimberley Duke

It's very rare to come across people that you can honestly call 100% selfless, but those are the only words that come to mind when describing the remarkable Ryan Riley and Kimberley Duke. This duo have set themselves the task of reimagining the way we eat, so that those with a compromised sense of taste and smell can once again enjoy the experience of aroma and flavour. From humble beginnings in Sunderland to a sudden worldwide frenzy of interest last week, the pair have just launched a Covid recovery cookbook entitled Taste & Flavour, and the response has been understandably incredible.

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Thursday, 8 April 2021

UN RENDEZ-VOUS AVEC CÉZANNE by Rose et Marius

One of the greatest joys about perfume is that there is a never-ending stream of new companies and fragrances to discover. However, we often get blinded by the constant adverts for the latest releases from the biggest brands but, sitting quietly on the side lines, there are a multitude just waiting for their chance to shine. If you have the time to do some investigation then you’ll start to uncover some of these hidden treasures, and that’s just what happened when I came across the irresistible Rose et Marius. Their latest fragrance is called Un rendez-vous avec Cézanne, and it promises “an olfactory journey in Provence.”

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Monday, 5 April 2021

STEPHAN'S SIX - MONICA MANCINI

Described by The New York Times as “the glamorous vocal equivalent to diamonds flashing,” Monica Mancini is a double Grammy Award nominee. Daughter to the legendary film composer Henry Mancini, she has gone on to release five albums that truly are the perfect soundtrack to the imminent lazy summer days. So, put your feet up, grab a glass of wine, and discover Monica’s fragrance memories during “Stephan’s Six”.

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Thursday, 1 April 2021

MABEL'S TOOTH by Freddie Albrighton

Exactly twelve months ago I wrote an article about the realities of working from home, and I was lucky enough to speak with Doctor Barbara Mariposa about both the challenges and also the opportunities that it gave us. The final line was “Embrace working from home, revel in the control that isolation gives you, but remember to reach out if you need to.” This is exactly what self-taught perfumer Freddie Albrighton did. Originally a tattooist by trade, he used lockdown to craft a beautiful trio of scents that each display a very clear olfactory signature. Launching on Saturday 3rd April, this is a collection you won’t want to miss.

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Monday, 29 March 2021

STEPHAN'S SIX - FREDDIE ALBRIGHTON

The emergence of self-taught perfumers continues to create wonderfully artistic waves in the perfume industry, and the latest person to try his hand is self-confessed wanderer Freddie Albrighton. This successful tattooist launches his debut collection on Saturday and so, to get us in the mood for the arrival of Mabel’s Tooth, Boys, and Bernadette Margaret Evelyn Theresa, it's time to find out his scented secrets during “Stephan’s Six.”

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Thursday, 25 March 2021

BEYOND THE STARS with Marina Barcenilla

“It’s the end, but the moment has been prepared for.” These immortal words were uttered by Tom Baker in 1981 as he shuffled off his Doctor Who persona, but they also perfectly sum up the events of 29th April 2019. That was the day Marina Barcenilla Parfums closed its doors. Whilst the fragrances that bore her name were gone, the space age AromAtom project that she’d founded took centre stage. Her educational journey to the stars produced the Award-nominated perfume Out Of This World and, after almost two years, Marina is back with a new trio of fragrances and has her eyes firmly set on some serious space travel.

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Monday, 22 March 2021

STEPHAN'S SIX - SIERRA BOGGESS

An Olivier Award nominated actress, Sierra Boggess made her Broadway debut playing Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, but is probably still best known for her role as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies. She's currently putting the finishing touches to her new album with actor Julian Ovenden, Together... at a Distance, so I thought it was a good time to learn more about her fragrance memories during “Stephan’s Six”.

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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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