Team Karen (Karen Dubin and Karen Adams) TWENTY-FIFTH Edition of Sniffapalooza –Fall Ball-was held October 21-23rd, 2016. I have attended every one since Michelyn introduced me to the Event in 2008.
Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary in Brooklyn
FRIDAY NIGHT, OCTOBER 21st, Twisted Lily Cocktail Party
Eric Weiser Co founder of Twisted Lily with Chef Tessa Liebman
The Friday Night cocktail party was held at Brooklyn’s perfume lover’s paradise, Twisted Lily. Co-owners Eric Weiser and Stamatis Birsimijoglou are known for their hospitality as well as their amazing curation of artisan, artistic and natural fragrances and gave each of us a warm welcome us into their beautiful boutique. I perused my way through many fragrances I have read about on ÇaFleureBon and many of my favorites were from Italy and the US-– COOLIFE, Corso Como, I Profumi di Firenze, Fornasetti, Slumberhouse, to name a few brands I spent time testing. Two of the “hottest” perfumes I noticed “flying off the shelves” were Èl and Ella from Arquiste, (Carlos Huber’s ode to the glamour of Acapulco Mexico 1970s).
Rhona Stokols and Kelly Jones
It was crowded but I enjoyed catching up with Bart Schmidt of Brands with a Purpose, Kelly Jones of Kelly & Jones, Jose Penalba of Amerikas, former Managing Editor Mark Behnke of Colognoisseur, Chef Tessa Liebman and Rhona Stokols. If I left any of my perfume friends out of the post, forgive me…
Symrise welcomes Sniffapalooza
Day One, SATURDAY, October 22nd
Symrise served coffee, and light breakfast before the panel discussion, “From Idea to Shelf”.
Doreen Bucher, David Apel, Julianne Pruett, Caroline Catherine and Sophie Bensamou
MORNING PROGRAM
Moderator: Doreen Bucher, VP Marketing
Perfumer: David Apel, Senior Perfume
Sales: Julianne Pruett, VP Fine Fragrance
Evaluation: Caroline Catherine, Senior Fine Fragrance Development Manager and Sophie Bensamou, VP Fine Fragrance Creation NA and Global Category Manager
We were taken behind the scenes to learn about the internal creative process, how the different departments work together synergistically and how teamwork can make or break a perfume’s success.
Joseph Quartana, Sophie Bensamou, Eric Korman, Anne Serrano McClain and Dorren Bucher
Brasserie 8 1/2 was the location for Part Two with Symise and lunch.
LUNCH PROGRAM:
Moderator: Doreen Bucher
Perfumer: David Apel
Evaluation: Sophie Bensamou
Phlur: Eric Korman, Anne Serrano McClain
Potions Fatales: Joseph Quartana
An one hour discussion featured Symise clients; Phlur (Eric Korman of Phlur worked with Anne Serrano-McClain of the Brooklyn-based perfume company, MCMC Fragrances on this new line), and Joseph Quartana of Parfums Quartana recent debut of Les Potions-Fatales. As readers of our Creative Directors in Perfumery series know, collaboration and communication between perfumer, supplier and Creative Director can make or break a collection.
Guest Speakers
Kelly Jones of Kelly & Jones
Kelly & Jones: Kelly Jones announced her newly released Reserve Collection which is a re-interpretation of the original line of wine inspired perfumes Notes of Wine. Formerly with a large Flavor and Fragrance House, Kelly is devoting herself full time and has left corporate to become an entrepreneur.
Francoise Allesi of Annick Goutal
Francoise Alessi, Brand Manager for Annick Goutal introduced the group to the new Rose Oud and Tenue de Soire (Evening dress); both are a departure stylistically for the brand.
Amy Marks McGee
Amy Marks-McGee, Trenincite: Amy gave us a glimpse into the upcoming year in fragrance and beauty. Multi-sensory alternative applications such as flavored nail polish, interpreting “velvet”, and new fragrance books releases.
Naveeta Parfums
Hope Freeman & Jay McSherry, Nateeva: A new collection focused on exotic nature that gives back.
Oliver Reyes, Penhaligon’s: enthusiastically presented Penhaligon’s Portraits.
Francois Damide of Crafting Beauty
Francois Damide of Crafting Beauty, Natalie Fragrance: Natalie Wood, actress, mother, and Hollywood icon’s fragrance is a celebration of her memory. Daughter’s Natasha and Courtney carry on their mother’s legacy with “Natalie” the fragrance.
Angela Scollo, Malin + Goetz: Family-owned-and-locally operated, the original apothecary launched in Chelsea, gave an overview of the fragrance line. Their candles are made in Brooklyn.
Emily Reinheimer, Perfumania: Perfumania is America’s largest fragrance retailer specializing in the sale of genuine designer fragrances, bath, and body, cosmetics, skin care products.
Elizabeth Andrews, Bon Parfumeur: Bon Parfumeur is a French House of high perfumery that offers scents to mix and match.
Phlur Perfumes
Sue Phillips with her mother (Courtesy of Sue Phillips)
At every Sniffapalooza, Team Karen donates a portion of each registration fee to a special charity. This event’s charity, The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, was recommended by Sue Phillips of Scenterprises, whose mother was afflicted with this devastating disease.
Bergdorf Goodman was open house and there was a number of new launches. Perfumes that clicked with me: Memo Paris‘s Russian Leather, Roja Parfums‘ Brittania, the EB Florals line, the Diana Vreeland Outrageous Collection, Ex Nihilo‘s Amber Sky, Charlotte Tilbury‘s Scent of a Dream, and the new Vert Boheme by Tom Ford.
Molton Brown’s Rosa Absolue
Molton Brown‘s Flagship store on 59th Street presented their new range, Rosa Absolute. This rose, a symbol of love and beauty is most luxurious. I was informed that it is sourced from Lombardia in Italy and extracted in the most concentrated form, the absolute.
Penhaligon’s at Rockefeller Center
Penhaligon‘s Rockefeller Center flagship store’s Manager Maya Fedaseyeva present the Penhaligons Portraits collection along with the houses other storied fragrances.
Parfums de Marly Boutique
Parfums de Marly brand new boutique in the Meatpacking district was the last stop. Boutique Manager Donna Winsell greeted us warmly with sparkling wine, rose wine and a basket of artisanal cheeses, dates, and nuts. Layton, their new release was showcased.
Karen Adams of Sniffapalooza
Day Two, SUNDAY, October 23rd
Annick Goutal Rose Oud and Tenue de Soiree perfumes
The West Village’s elegant Annick Goutal boutique was the first stop. Store Manager Carrie Furlong and staff welcomed us with sweet breakfast treats, coffee, and juice to awaken our senses. A gift bag of samples was given to all attendees.
Diptyque Essences Insensées (Rose de Mai) Eau de Parfum and Kimonanthe Eau de parfum
Parisian inspired Diptyque boutique’s manager Kim Cotgno greeted us with homemade hot cider and edibles. She premiered the new releases created by Fabrice Pellegrin, Essences Insensées (Rose de Mai) Eau de Parfum and Kimonanthe Eau de parfum. She gave me a sneak peek at the upcoming Holiday Collection, available November 1st. We all were thrilled when a gift bag was handed to each of us when we departed.
Atelier Cologne in Soho NYC
Open house sniffing in SoHo was next. At Atelier Cologne, General Manager Ross Barry greeted us warmly and presented the latest releases by Robertet perfumer Jerome Epinette… Emeraude Agar, Camelia Intrepid, and Citron d’Erable, (now available in the US).
Le Labo is always a favorite stop for stocking up on their apothecary style fragrances and candles. For out of towners Tuberouse 40, the NYC city exclusive was a must.
On Prince Street, Red Flower is a calm oasis to indulge in their noted botanically based, 100% vegetarian and paraben-free line of lotions, organic perfumes and hair and body care products.
Little Italy’s La Mela was our lunch destination with presentations emceed by Mark Behnke of Colognoisseur whose birthday coincidently fell on Sniffa Sunday.
Lunch Presentations
Irina Adam of Phoenix Botanicals
Art and Olfaction 2016 finalist, Natural perfumer Irina Adam of Phoenix Botanicals presented Lilac Rain (we reviewed in August), partially inspired by Prince. Irina found an enfleurage of the delicate blossoms upstate; lilacs yes indeed can be recreated naturally.
Rodney Hughes of Therepeutate
Rodney Hughes of Therapeutate Parfums: presented his latest creations Cardamom Rose and Exotic Flower. Rodney is a former Natural Perfume Editor for CaFleureBon, so of course the line is 100% botanical. Further, Rodney uses beautiful raw materials- organic and wild harvested. As the name implies every fragrance has a therapeutic benefit.
Candice Sabatini of BeautyNewsNYC: Candice held a seven question perfume trivia contest. Winners received fragrance or candles for answering correctly.
Kim Waters MUSE
Kim Waters founder of MUSE (Modern Urban Sensory Experiences) presented three fragrances from Mendittorosa Odori d’Anima including Le Mat (composed by Amélie Bourgeois and Anne-Sophie Behaghel).
Stephen Dirkes of Euphorium Brooklyn: Stephen presented his relaunched version of Wald.
Chandler for SNAP
Chandler Burr: Chandler presented a new scent from Snap Perfume which will launch in March of 2017. He solicited opinions from the strips passed around. The brand has six scents to date.
Byredo NYC
Byredo Store Manager Carissa Barrett, served champagne to compliment the fragrance collection and their custom made leather goods. “Unnamed” and three new ones from the Night Veils Collection: La Bottle, Le Gant, and La Selle are on my wish list.
Thank you, Team Karen, (Karen Dubin and Karen Adams) for another scentually whirlwind wonderful weekend. See you all at the 2017 Spring Fling!
–Hernando Courtright, New York City Senior Events Contributor and CaFleureBon Ambassador (With contributions and added information from Michelyn Camen, Editorin Chief.
All Photos by Hernando of CaFleureBon unless otherwise stated. Parfums Marly store courtesy of Parfums Marly.
We have a ginormous swag bag filled with dozens of samples from the Fall Ball including mini and sample size fragrances and goodies from Penhaligon’s, Annick Goutal bag, Molton Brown, Diptyque bag, Byredo, Phlur, Trendincite, Perfumania, Nateeva, Norell, Bon Parfumeur, Twisted Lily, Malin+Goetz, Diana Vreeland Parfums and many others. To be eligible you must be a registered reader in the CON USA (you have to do this folks) and leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Hernando’s very detailed Sniffapalooza Fall Ball report, if you have attended a Sniffa event before and which brand or perfume you are really excited to get your nose on. Draw closes November 4, 2016
We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume