DelRae Roth at home with Marcel
For readers who have known me as a fragrance writer, it should come as no surprise that one of my favorite Niche houses is Parfums DelRae. In 2006, I was introduced to Bois de Paradis, (by Chandler Burr), one of five fragrant collaborations between DelRae Roth and CaFleureBon's Honorary Contributor Michel Roudnitska ; it is among my top ten favorite fragrances of the 21st Century. Then came Mythique in 2009 and the talented and charming Yann Vasnier, which told the story of Diane de Pointiers, the beautiful mistress of Louis II King of France (who was married at the time to the legendary perfume lover Catherine De Medici). DelRae's perfumes are stories, not only as intriguing briefs but on the skin. I have great respect for DelRae Roth as she always acknowledged Michel and Yann as "co-creators," before it was fashionable to do so. She is working right now on her next perfume with Yann Vasnier and if you are like me your eyes just lit up and your nostrils flared.- Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief
Photo of the Golden Gate Bridge: DelRae Roth 6/9/12
PROFILE: I was born in South Dakota and raised in Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Iowa and California. I have three brothers and two sisters. We were all born in a different state! I think the fact that I saw many different parts of the country growing up was a benefit as I learned early on that there are many beautiful places in the world. I have lived in San Francisco most of my life and find that no matter where I travel to, I feel so lucky to live in such an amazing place. In San Francisco we have a culture of individuality. It is an environment that embraces new ideas, and most importantly, the pursuit of dreams.
Photo by DelRae Roth: Musees de Arts Paris
I spent my childhood allowance on fragrant bubble bath and cologne, feeling even as a young child the enjoyment that fragrance can bring. My family said it was inevitable when I decided to launch Parfums DelRae. I had worked as an art director for many years. But there came a point where I really wanted my own business where I could combine all of the things I loved — design, perfume, Paris. And I had become quite dissatisfied with the world of perfume. I had some ideas for perfumes inspired by San Francisco and felt ready to take the chance. It was the year 2000 and really the whole niche perfume world was just beginning.
DelRae Roth drawing in Sierra
ON AMERICAN PERFUMERY: The American client is very open to small brands, in a way that doesn’t exist anywhere else. And through the internet, blogs and so on, there is a very lively debate and discussion. There is easy access to information. As a result of this, there exists many different kinds of products at all levels, prices and quality. The American industry is not regulated in the same way that it is in Europe for example. So there is more freedom for people to experiment. It is, like the culture we celebrate, quite diverse and quite democratic.
For Parfums DelRae, I am interested in a very classical, disciplined approach and strive to create perfumes with this type of integrity and structure. Perfume speaks so much to the need for beauty in our lives. It is very satisfying to create a product that can offer this kind of enhancement to people.
Drawing by DelRae Roth
FAVORITE AMERICAN ARTIST: I love art and paint and draw for my own enjoyment. There is nothing I enjoy more than spending a day at a museum. I recently saw an amazing exhibit of Richard Serra’s large scale black and white drawings and there are many American artists that are inspiring.
–DelRae Roth, Founder and Owner of Parfums DelRae
Copyright Marc Virata
For our draw, DelRae is graciously is giving one fortunate CaFleureBon reader the opportunity to win one of the eight perfumes in the line: Eau Illuminée, Amoure use, Bois de Paradis, Début, Emotionnelle, Mythique, Coupe de Foudre or Panache. To be eligible to win a 1.7 oz/50ml Eau de Parfum of your preference, please leave a DETAILED comment that includes the fragrance you most covet, three notes in its compostion and what you found fascinating about DelRae Roth.Draw closes Monday June 25, 2012 EST.
June 23, 2012 DelRae is also including a sample set with this draw
We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.