When we think of the word “niche” our minds almost immediately start seeing pounds signs and three figure sums. A company that isn’t part of a major corporation will of course have extra costs, and these often end up being transferred to the customer. However, this doesn’t always have to be the case. If the bottle isn’t the most expensive looking, or the box is perhaps a little basic, isn’t it the contents that are the most important? Prestige de Menton is a well-known perfume brand in the south of France and celebrates its 75th birthday this year. So, there's never been a better time to rediscover Irizom.
One of the hardest things to decide as a perfume company is how you’re going to tell your story to the customers. The fragrances aren’t always enough by themselves. Sometimes it’s that little extra piece of information that will turn a browser into a purchaser. Getting it wrong at the beginning can often be difficult to correct at a later date, and so it’s always worth making sure that you’re 100% happy with your decision. One company that absolutely nailed this was The Perfumer’s Story and, as we approach their seventh birthday, it’s time to go back to the beginning and rediscover Mystère Vetivert.
When a company tries to reinvent itself for a new generation the results can often be decidedly mixed. The brand may veer off into unfamiliar territory or accidentally alienate their current customers, neither of which is a desirable outcome. One company that have absolutely achieved this reinvention however is 4711. Arguably the most famous cologne in the world, their yearly limited edition Remix Cologne collection continues to captivate both existing and new fans, to the extent that it’s now become a permanent addition to the catalogue. So, let’s get up to speed by discovering the 2021 edition, and join in the celebration of neroli.
Fragrances always used to come with a massive amount of “upper class” baggage and about as much fun as a wet weekend in Woking. So, as the celebrity scents started to break the monopoly on the big high street regulars, we all breathed a collective sigh of relief when the playfulness finally arrived. Now, celebrity fragrances have dramatically altered over the years, with many now having no direct involvement from the actual "name", but that is certainly not true of the latest trio from the King of Nails, Leighton Denny. With a FiFi award already under his belt, it’s time to discover his new Confidence Collection.
With every new year comes a new selection of perfume releases, and 2022 shows no signs of disappointing. From Guerlain right through to Jo Malone London, this year’s latest launches have been created, bottled and are waiting to be unveiled to the public. However, even though we may only just be coming out of the Christmas period, one company have already revealed their newest fragrance. The latest addition to Fragonard’s Flower of the Year collection is Eglantine and, in the clever hands of perfumer Karine Dubreuil, you will be powerless to resist it. So, you'd better get ready for a well-timed rose resurgence.
The past two years will live in people’s memories for the rest of their lives. The world saw one of its biggest upheavals and, after having displayed a “me first” approach to life for far too long, households found themselves reconnecting with their neighbours and communities. How long this ultimately lasts has yet to be seen, but it definitely feels as though many have exited the storm into this new world with a determination to build on newfound ideals and beliefs. This realisation deserved to be celebrated, and that’s exactly what Jonathan Ward has done with his long-awaited debut fragrance Kansas.
To say that it’s been a challenging twelve months would definitely be an understatement but, for the second year running, the fragrance industry has refused to give in. Even with partial restrictions and a decidedly uncertain future, companies have continued to do their very best to bring us some much needed scented escape. Some of the fragrances have been new, some have been classics, but all of them have kept us smiling. So, as we approach the end of 2021, I thought it would be a good moment to look back at twelve months of articles, once again channel my inner Blyton, and pick My Favourite Five.
As we approach the end of a second year of restrictions and complications, I think it’s time that we all took a moment to reflect on the achievements that each of us have made. You don’t need to have learned a new language or raised money for charity, I’m talking about the fact that people simply found the strength to carry on when every day brought new challenges. No one could have predicted the last two years, and that is why it’s so wonderful to find a fragrance that was started back in 2019, launched in 2020 and which actually resonates so perfectly today. I’m talking about Heroic Story from Vines House Parfum.
There are certain ingredients that will forever be associated with a particular decade, and it can be very difficult to shake off those attachments. Just the mention of the name can conjure up forgotten times or misplaced lovers, and it can often be hard to see beyond these memories. However, if we do, there’s a whole new scented world to experience. One such ingredient is patchouli, and it instantly pulls up images of the 1970s. Creating a new interpretation of this iconic aroma has been tried many times, with varying success, but the latest attempt from ånd fragrance is an absolute winner. It’s time to discover Påtch.
