2nd Annual Portland Sniff (featuring Shelley Waddington of En Voyage Perfumes) ~Event Report+ Portland Fragrance Draw

Solar eclipse over city. Photo by Henry Groskinsky / The LIFE Images Collection / Getty

Between the solar eclipse, record-breaking heatwaves, and wildfires replacing Portland’s famous rains with a shower of ashes, there has been an inordinate amount of drama in the Pacific Northwest lately. With the smoke-filled skies finally cleared, artisan perfumer and author of “Perfuming with Natural Isolates” Shelley Waddington of En Voyage Perfumes hosted the second annual Portland Sniff event on Saturday, October 7 and kept the season’s drama rolling in a less apocalyptic direction.

Sandi and Shelley on the bus. Photo by Samantha Berg

Our sojourn began when a handful of us climbed into the enormous bus graciously rented by exuberant organizer Jan Last. Sniffer and rider Roxy Palicka said our driver found us just the right amount of charming, “According to our bus driver, we were as happy as the marijuana peeps he chauffeured, and way more fun than the quilters. Win for the perfumistas!”

The En Voyage Perfume Atelier and Fragrance Gardens. Photo by Steve Ross.

Shelley invited attendees to a light breakfast and a heavy bevy of En Voyage perfume testing in honor of the unveiling of her new The En Voyage Perfume Atelier and Fragrance Gardens introduced to the world and ÇaFleureBon readers in September 2017. 

Shelley with Figa, Photo by Steve Ross

The star attraction of the morning was Shelley’s potion of strength, Figa, her  collaboration with Michelyn Camen, Editor-in Chief  for the multi-perfumer ÇaFleureBon Project Talisman. Bright with bergamot, refreshed by geranium, and soothed by labdanum, Figa is a comforting hug in troubled times. Also available to Portland perfumistas were the glycerin soaps of Juan M Perez of Exotic Island Aromatics fame, which attendees generously purchased knowing 100% of the proceeds were sent to aid damage caused by Hurricane Maria. 

Fumerie sign. Photo by Steve Ross

The next stop was Fumerie Parfumerie to visit with owner Tracy Tsefalas and fragrance historian André Gooren.

Aedes de Venustas bottles at Fumerie. Photo by Fumerie Parfumerie

Since last year’s sniff, Fumerie has begun carrying Ormonde Jayne, the much in demand British line created by Linda Pilkington and Geza Schoen, which finally is available in the U.S.

Tauer’s Perfume in a Soap. Photo credit Fumerie

New as well are Aedes de Venustas perfumes, as well as Andy Tauer’s “Perfume in a Soap” with activated charcoal and available in the utterly unique scents Solar Engineer and Data Miner.  As an extra special gift, we got to sniff an advanced sample of the latest unreleased scent by Portland’s own Imaginary Authors creative genius, Josh Meyer. I predict this iris scented lovely will wear magnificently in the Pacific Northwest’s famously early, bloom-filled springs.

Sandi, Donna, Tara, Jon, Anna, Jan in front of the Street Mural.  Photo credit Steve Ross

The bulk of the group walked down the block from Fumerie to invade Atlas Pizza for lunch, but not before posing for photos in front of one of the Rose City’s many colorful street murals.

The Perfume House. Photo by Steve Ross

Christine Tsefalas, owner of trendy Hawthorne District’s The Perfume House, greeted us and showed off recently added collections from Carner Barcelona, Roja Dove, and Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Leather-based perfumes from Memo Paris sold particularly well and many aficionado eyes were opened to this high-quality fragrance house founded by John and Clara Molloy.

Camel by Zoologist Perfumes. Photo courtesy of Victor Wong

At last year’s sniff, attendees got a pre-release sniff of Zoologist Perfumes musky beauty (created in collaboration with Shelley) Civet. For 2017 we previewed another incredible Zoologist creation, Camel, which Robert Herrmann, Sr. Editor of CaFleureBon was the first to review. Victor Wong’s Oriental beauty transports you to a desert oasis with honeyed palm dates, vanilla, sandalwood, and an evening’s breeze of incense off the sand dunes.

 

Every table was stuffed with bottles! Photo by Steve Ross

Jon Wilson organized The Big Swap through a system based on how André and Tracy have been orchestrating swaps at Fumerie’s regular bottle exchange nights. I have heard nothing but high praise and how pleased everyone seems to have been with the most action-oriented portion of the day.

Walnut liquor and a farewell toast. Photo by Samantha Berg

Perhaps you didn’t know that Shelley is as talented with edible elixirs as she is with wearable ones? Liqueur de noix (nocino) is a delicious, dark green walnut liqueur made in Italy and France. Nutty and subtly spiced, this Portland batch of the traditional liqueur was made just for the Portland Sniff.

Samantha Berg, Guest Contributor and CaFleureBon reader

Editor's Note: Reader DGAMBAS made us aware of Juan Perez's Go Fund Me campaign so that he can rebuild his business after Hurricane Maria. Support our Artisans! https://gofundme.com/exotic-island-aromatics

Thanks to magnanimous hostess Shelley, we have a .5oz bottle of En Voyage Figa ($60 value) available worldwide. In addition, Tracy of Fumerie Parfumerie is offering samples of Ormonde Woman, Lubin Kismet, Vanille Marble by  Agonist, Bloody Wood from Liquid Imaginaires  and Il Profumo Caramella  d'Amore.  In addition, Josh Meyer of Imaginary Authors  has graciously offered an avant premier sample of the new O, Unknown (you must register or your comment will not count click here). To be eligible, please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Samantha’s event report, which scents caught your nose, and where you live. Draw closes 10/24/2017

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Cafleurebon and use our RSS feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

 

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33 comments

  • Diana D says:

    What a great collection of fragrances! I’ve always wanted to try one of Zoologist perfumes. I love the notes of Camel!

    I live in the U.S.

  • VerbenaLuvvr says:

    I would so much love to attend one of these events and get to meet fragrance creators–and spend time in the company of people who enjoy the same hobby/obsession as I do! In the meantime, I live vicariously through adventures like these. Camel and Figa sound like scents that would appeal most to me. I live in the US.

  • RoseMacaroon says:

    As with the commenter above, vicarious experience of these events is a big love of mine! So fun to read, and also very inspiring to see some of what these artists are producing and how they share it with the world, even using it to help those in great need. I definitely will go visit Shelley’s atelier and fragrance gardens some day! Also I would most love to have Finally which I know is so beautiful, or try Zoologist Camel, which sounds like the Moroccan Sahara in a bottle!
    Thank you so much!
    I’m in the US.

  • Chris Mr_Sillage says:

    Samantha’s review was spectacular! She really showed the growth that this fair had had just from a year ago. Her saying about the new offering Figa : “A comforting hug in troubling times” was a saying that I think EVERYONE can relate to. I’m really interested in the new offering from Imaginary Autos as well and an HIGHLY intrigued to try Andy Tauer’s new soap kind! Thank you for the amazing, in depth review of this event. It sounded like she had an INCREDIBLE experience. I live in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, USA.

  • JH says:

    What a wonderful experience that must have been! I have to say, Shelly’s two creations for Zoologist (Civet and Hummingbird) are my top 2 Zoologist perfumes! I think I have to check out Shelly’s own line of fragrances! Thanks for the draw! I live in France.

  • Roger Engelhardt says:

    Pizza for lunch
    Sounds as if you all had a wonderful time!!
    I own 1 from En Voyage, L’hombre and one from Zoologist, Civet!!
    Ms Waddington is a great perfumer and the quality of the fragrances is top notch!!
    The charcoal soap has also piqued my interest!

  • oldandsmelly says:

    Samantha’s report was well told and reported, the scents that caught my nose was the leather-based perfumes from Memo Paris which is a line that is new to me but I love leather based scents. I live in the US, thanks for the great report on Portland perfume scene

  • fazalcheema says:

    This seems like a fun event including visit to the Fumerie and then swap inspired by the Perfume House formula. I don’t drink but intrigued by the smell of nut liquer. i am in US.

  • Robert H. says:

    DNEM, Great article Sam!!❤️❤️❤️ So sorry we had to miss it this year!
    xoxo Robert

  • Timea says:

    Oh… I can imagine how wonderful could be an event like this. Unfortunately in my country never happen these things. These fragrances are all sounds fabulously for me, mostly Figa and Camel. Thank you very much for the chance. I live in Europe.

  • yukon1 says:

    What i enjoyed about samanthas event report was some of the generosity from Juan M Perez of Exotic Island Aromatics fame, which the soaps they sold that attendees generously purchased knowing 100% of the proceeds were sent to aid damage caused by Hurricane Maria.

    Camel caught my nose most 🙂

    I live in canada

    Thnx 4 giveaway

  • Alen says:

    Great collection of fragrances. The one who got my attention is Figa, caramella d’amore and the avant premiere of josh mayer ofcourse 🙂
    I live in the EU, thanks for this nice draw.

  • roxhas1cat says:

    What a fun event! I am going to look into going for next year. I live only a half hour away. I most liked seeing what new lines The Perfume House is carrying, I haven’t been there for awhile and looks like I need to make a trip there soon. Always like seeing what Josh is doing, his latest (Saint Julep) was amazing! Thanks for bringing these things to my attention!!

  • DGambas says:

    It’s always so good to read on all the events that are organized by American Artisan perfumers. It seems that Portland has become one of the desired destinations for perfume lovers.

    I’m glad that Exotic Island Aromatics of Juan Perez is mentioned in this article.
    There is https://www.gofundme.com/exotic-island-aromatics, this is the campaign which might help our perfumer after the hurricane disaster, too.

    I read about Fumerie Parfumerie in We Love This Store series. It is Samantha’s article, too. Although I have not tried Josh’s new creations, I know and admire the old ones. Some time ago, I got an opportunity to try An Air Of Despair, too. It was part of Tigerlily Perfumery Unreleased Project, and I like it very much. I have not heard of The Perfume House, so this is a new info. Shame on me, I have not tried Project Talisman’s Figa yet, so Figa, Camel and Josh’s O, Unkown! are the most interesting to me. Civet that was pre-release of 1st Portland Sniff is the perfume of stunning beauty, and I am in love with it. I live far from Portland, in Croatia, so thank you, Samantha, for this lively journey.

  • tiffanie says:

    Thank you to Samantha for the Portland Sniff event report. It’s wonderful to see perfume people together in the Pacific NW. The photos are charming. I also enjoyed hearing about the Big Swap. Perfume people are always generous in their giving. Fumerie Parfumerie is a special part of the perfume community.

    I am most excited to add Camel to my must-sample list, and the photo of that beautiful red Pelargonium bottle reminded me that is another must-try I have been putting off. Must remedy that soon. I’m in the US. Thank you for the generous draw.

  • Hasib says:

    Thanks Samantha for this nice event info. Seems like a great experience
    Would like to be able to attend perfume events someday.
    There are many interesting fragrances that I would like to check out
    Hopefully I can with this giveaway. Thank You
    USA

  • NiceVULady says:

    Figa and Camel have definitely caught my attention. This is an event in which I hope to participate next year. It just sounds like so much fun. Thanks for the magnificent review. And thank you for the draw. I live in the USA

  • Cynthia says:

    This looks like a really fun event. I have long admired En Voyage perfumes, as well as Shelley’s work for other houses. Some day I’ll make it to one of these events! USA

  • Raee says:

    PNW has really been dramatic this year. As a resident of Seattle, I have experienced these 1st hand.

    I am really interested in this event, Portland being so near by. Hope to be able to join next year.

    In US.

  • Marcus says:

    Your report sounds like a great day of fun of some birds of a feather. I am most interested in Bloody Wood, and then in all things Imaginary Authors, great and generous package anyway! I’d love to receive this to Germany.

  • aurora_ru says:

    FIGA sounds really interesting! Not only because it is “a comforting hug in troubling times”, but also having qualities of talisman… Fun to see that figa finger combination on the bottle, which in my culture also means: “figa, you will not get this”. Hopfully i will win, the beautiful selection of samples make this prize even more attractive, because i love exploring. I live in Europe. Thank you!

  • Breathingmybelovedin says:

    Sounds like Shelly’s homey hospitality contributed so much for the success of the event. Cheers to that! So many goodies in this draw! I am always happy to sniff a new Imaginary Authors scent – they are always surprising and unique. Thanks to Josh Meyer and the rest of the contributors. I am from Israel

  • Alibama68 says:

    I’ve always been drawn to Portland, living as I do in the UK. The vicarious experience of being there in the perfume shop Fumerie is what I enjoyed the most. Figa sounds great

  • Tena says:

    I will attend this event next time (hopefully).
    I loved hearing about how much fun was had by all the lovely attendees.
    Both Figa and the new IA unreleased Iris scent sound amazing.

    I live in Canada – thank you so much for the draw and the report.

  • girasole638 says:

    These events always make me wish I lived in Portland! It looks like everyone had a lot of fun. I particularly enjoyed the bus driver’s comments that Samantha included – I’m glad to hear perfumistas were represented as a fun group!

    I love iris scents so the unreleased Imaginary Authors fragrance really caught my attention, although Figa and Zoologist Camel sound wonderful as well. I’m also very curious about Andy Tauer’s perfumed soaps – what great names!
    I’m in the US. Thank you!

  • karo says:

    What I enjoyed most about Samantha’s report is hearing about En Voyage’s Figa and learning that Shelly also makes liqueurs. Being a huge fan of her work, I’m also feeling the need to try her edible creations. Figa and Camel definitely caught my nose. I live in the U.S.. Thank you so much.

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    What a nice travel Report ;-)) It sounds of much fun and intersting scents – what a pitty that I am so far away. Figa sounds like a medicine in this Grey autumn, I am happy that Andy tauer’s Soaps where also there.

    I live in the EU, thanks for this generous draw!!!

  • Marzipan says:

    Learning about Shelley’s talents with edible elixirs caught my attention. Tauer’s soaps sound wonderful. I live in the USA

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Amazing! I will call it a perfume picnic with lot of fun, travel & drinks. I have FIGA that already caught my nose which I won in a draw on CafleureBon. Andy Tauer’s “Perfume in a Soap”, O, Unknown and Zoologist Camel are others that caught my nose. Nice to hear that Shelley is as talented with edible elixirs.
    Thanks for the draw. Pakistan

  • Latifah Scott says:

    The description of the setting was great. The opening made the event feel like the rebirth of the area. Figa sounds absolutely amazing and I would definitely love some walnut liquor.

  • Shelley Waddington says:

    This beautifully written and illustrated post, based on the comments I’ve seen above, is iconic in that it is both sharp travel and event reporting as well as a description of a significant landmark in the burgeoning movement of perfumers and perfume lovers in the Pacific NW.

    I only wish that all of the people who enjoyed reading about our event will be able to join us and experience it in person next year! For those in other countries, I sorely wish that we could bring it directly to you. Until then, I hope that you will continue to experience it vicariously with great pleasure. We sincerely wish to bring pleasure to all perfume lovers. This is the spirit of En Voyage.