Scent Spotting: The Fragrance Kitchen (TFK) Perfume Launch At Bergdorf Goodman by Sheikh Majed Al Sabah + A Rose with A View Draw

Sheikh Majed Al-Sabah  at Bergdorf Goodman's The Fragrance Kitchen launch

Sheikh Majed Al Sabah taking selfies with his fans Courtesy of WWD

What is it about a large crowd milling about that draws us in. What has attracted them and why aren't we part of it? In Manhattan, this is almost an everyday occurrence; celebrity spottings or gala events.  On Wednesday April 13, walking up Fifth Avenue I was curious; why were there a few hundred people in front of New York City’s haute temple of fashion and beauty, Bergdorf Goodman's main entrance. I asked the doorman what the occasion was thinking it was a fashion designer. He told me that it was a private event for a fragrance launch at this entrance and that I should enter on 57th Street if interested to shop.  A fragrance launch?  That was all I needed to hear and I hurried down the escalator to the Beauty Level to seek out the origin of this event. Signage announcing TFK, their fragrance debut and an overwhelming sea fo people, the size I had not witnessed before at Bergdorf Goodman.

The Fragrance Kitchen TFK signage Bergdorf Goodman Cafleurebon

The Fragrance Kitchen TFK signage Bergdorf featuring A Rose With A View: Photo Hernando

I was informed that Sheikh Majed Al Sabah (a member of Kuwait’s ruling dynasty) was here to open the first location in the USA for his fragrance brand, TFK (The Fragrance Kitchen) and launch "A Rose With A View", his signature fragrance created especially for Bergdorf Goodman, inspired by New York City. The Prince was also hosting a gala later that evening at the Nomad Hotel (his entourage included friends and family he flew in for the occasion on two private planes). Clearly this was not an ordinary fragrance launch.

TFK at Bergdorf goodman launch

The Fragrance Kitchen TFC Rose with a View Display Photo Hernando

Due to the crowd surge I was not able to get to their counter but was able to secure a spray on my wrist from a free standing bottle. “Rose With a View” is a gorgeous woody floral bouquet that combines rose, bergamot sandalwood and musk.  On my way home I stopped in to a shop where the women behind the counter asked what I was wearing. I told to her the back story how I came across the scent and she exclaimed that I should buy it for my wife. The next day, spraying “Rose With a View” on a strip, the TFK Sales Associate said that Sheikh Mahad Al-Sabah created it for his Bergdorf Goodman customers to bring the romance of the Arabic rose to fast paced New York City. He enquired if I would be interested smelling some of his personal favorites and proceeded to present me six in the line of forty available in at Bergdorf Goodman (the TFK line has close to one hundred worldwide). I was impressed by almost every scent.

The Fragrance Kitchen Boutique at Bergdorf goodman cafleurebon

TFK Counter at Bergdorf Goodman Photo Hernando

Back at my office I researched the House. I was sufficiently intrigued and decided then to return once again, Thursday, to smell the entire line and glean some intel from their two SA's."How were so many aware of this launch",  I asked.  I was told that the Sheikh announced  his appearance on social media to his many followers.  I would  guess that between 500-1000 attended the launch and  shopped up a storm; The Fragrance Kitchen sold out of their stock within hours.  The Fragrance Kitchen's perfumes' prices range from $225 to $320 per bottle and are created by the Sheikh;  from his memories of Arabic souks and European gardens, and his grandmother's kitchen where she blended oils; true to its “East Meets West” motto.

 

The Fragrance Kitchen Boutique CafleureBon Bergdorf

The Fragrance Kitchen Boutique  at Bergdorf Goodman

Friday morning, I called the TFK BG boutique to fact check for this article. The SA answered my question and  also informed me of a second exclusive fragrance Palm Fiction, available only at the Beverly Hills Neiman Marcus store.  She mentioned that she had a tester (hidden) and if I was interested I was welcome to come in to experience it as I have family and many friends in Beverly Hills. I made the trek back to Bergdorf Goodman and had a chance to smell from the tester and spray on my skin a small amount. What I got was Bergamot and Pink Pepper top notes and some Sandalwood, Musk and Patchouli. This is a fabulous gents scent. 

TFK The Fragrance Kitchen collection consists of four groupings: Exclusive, the core of the line; My Collection, Al-Sabah’s personal scent wardrobe; Tribute, an ode to his favorite cities; and Modern Heritage, an olfactory celebration of the Arab world today.   Sheikh Majed credits Tom Ford – with whom he worked closely while opening Villa Moda’s Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent boutiques – as an inspirational force behind TFK. The Sheikh mixes his scents by hand at home, then sends the formulas to Grasse, France, where they are reproduced. 

Author's Note: The Fragrance Kitchen's boutique launched at Bergdorf Goodman this past Monday and "A Rose With A View" on Wednesday.

Hernando Courtright, NYC Events Contributor and ÇaFleureBon Brand Ambassador

UNSCENT  URBAN SCENT GARDEN Milan 2016

Photo Courtesy of Intertrade Europe UNSCENT URBAN GARDEN

Editor’s Note: While at Esxence March 31-April 1, 2016 I was invited to attend the UNSCENT Urban Garden exhibition hosted by Intertrade Europe, who distributes many niche brands including  TFC The Fragrance Kitchen,  Blood Concept, Agonist, S-Perfumes (Nobi Shioya), A Lab on Fire, Andree Putnam, Danielle Ryans Roads, SoOUd, Czech & Speak Azagury and Boadicea the Victorious. If only I could have cloned myself

We managed to secure a 1/2 ml vial of A Rose with a View and 1/2 ml vial Palm Fiction for a US registered reader. To be eligible please let us know if you had ever heard of The Fragrance Kitchen or Sheikh Majed Al Sabah and if you live closer to The East or West Coast. Draw closes 4/19/2016. There is no spilled perfume.

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

 

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12 comments

  • Diana Devlin says:

    I have never heard of this line but it was interesting to learn the history. A Rose With A View sounds beautiful. I’ve been on a rose kick lately and have discovered Aerin Rose de Grasse. I’m enjoying it quite a lot. I’m also a big fan of Dior Hypnotic Poison, a darker rose that is spicy and woody. I’d love to try these samples.
    I live in the U.S. on the East Coast.

  • pursejunkie says:

    I have never heard of The Fragrance Kitchen before, but I love their fume names.

    I live on the West Coast. I can’t quite see Russia from my house, but I can see the ocean from the street in front.

  • I live on the Easy Coast. I became aware of TFK while in Abu Dhabi. It is an interesting line to explore.

  • I live in NJ so I am going to have to check this The Fragrance Kitchen out
    Thanks for the tip

  • fazalcheema says:

    I have never heard of The Fragrance Kitchen or Prince Sheikh Majed Al Sabah before. it seems Kuwaiti Royal Family is also going to dabble in the perfumery art, just like the Omani family. I am on the east coast! thanks a lot for the draw.

  • This is the first I have heard of The Fragrance Kitchen but it sounds so intriguing! I live on the East Coast in Delaware. I hope to learn more about this line! Thank you for the draw!

  • I’ve never heard of this line! How interesting – I’m always looking for more rose scents. I live on the east coast, in MD. Thanks for the draw!

  • DNEM, but how cool is this?? I love that he whips them up at home, then sends them off to be made up, and that his grandmother’s kitchen figures into his scent memories. ‘

    He seems like a very down-to-Earth prince, what with the selfies and all!

  • I have never heard of he Fragrance Kitchen or Sheikh Majed Al Sabah to be completely honest. I live in TX but have family up and down the East Coast. This is such a cool draw. Thanks,

  • MikasMinion says:

    Never heard of TFK, but I’m too busy to play much with social media so not surprised.
    I’m not sure that I’m any closer to one coast or the other. Either would be a heck of a drive.

  • Thanks for introducing me to TFK! I have heard of the Prince Majed Al Sabbah as I read an article about him. I’m amazed that he makes the scents and home and sends them off to Grasse, France. I live on the East Coast. I know these scents are going to be amazing, I live in the US and thanks for the draw!

  • I had not yet heard of The Fragrance Kitchen or Sheikh Majed Al Sabah until reading this very interesting post. I live closer to The West Coast