photo: Joe Garces at a Hong Kong presentation of Petit Fracas (Facebook)
Joe Garces, the Creative Director and CEO of Robert Piguet Parfums is the "James Brown" of the fragrance world. He is a man always in motion, on a plane, at a PA somewhere, in another time zone, at the perfume lab in Paris, and traveling the globe as the brand ambassador for the House of Robert Piguet. Joe may dine with heads of state and royals, but never forgets he came from humble beginnings. I caught up with him and a ten minute fact check turned into a two hour coversation.
We talked about many things, including his working relationship with one of the world's greatest perfumers, Aurelien Guichard and how many recent Piguet fragrances reflect the diverse cultural preferences in perfumes in the numerous countries where the brand is sold. Joe told me that Piguet's OUD perfume wasn't created to piggyback off the European/American trend for the popular note, but as an homage to the Arabic culture and people with whom he has spent much time with and to the high grade oud oil that has perfumed their homes and bodies for centuries.
Scent of place was the inspiration for Knightsbridge, the Robert Piguet perfume created exclusively for Harrods, founded in 1834, the biggest department store in the U.K. and the most famous department store in the world. The idea was to create a perfume that capture Harrod's, in all its scented splendor at 2:00 AM.
Mark Behnke, Managing Editor wrote:
"Knightsbridge perfume is the most complete composition M. Guichard has done for a long time. I am generally a fan of his creations but Knightsbridge might be the best fragrance he has ever made. It will take a little more time and perspective to confirm that. The one thing I am sure of is Knightsbridge de Robert Piguet is my best new perfume of the first half of 2013."
Haute Parfumerie at Harrod's
"For this imaginary stroll I picture waking up on the Fifth Floor and as I walk towards the Haute Parfumerie the last lingering persistent note of a day of perfumistas sampling the wares is that of a rose. The rose has a bit of nutmeg to accentuate the spicy facets within the rose. As I realize I’m alone I begin to wander downstairs and as I pass through the beauty section I smell the iris in the powder. M. Guichard has something richer in mind and he captures the iris with a completely decadent orris butter that is so rooty and opulent you just don’t want it to end. Paired with a creamy sandalwood this is what luxury means as this feels like the finest silk sliding through my hand with a frisson on my fingertips. Before I get to the front of the store I stop and breathe deep at the Louis Vuitton display and the smell of the finest leather meets me. I try on a pair of gloves and bring it to my face inhaling deep. The choice of tonka to support the leather accord makes a perfect ending to my night alone in Harrod’s".
I have never been to London, which I mentioned to Joe. A large percentage of our readers have never been there either but would love to visit Harrod's and own a bottle of Knightsbridge de Robert Piguet Perfume.
So what does Joe say to me when I told him that? "O.K., Michelyn, offer a bottle to one of your readers; I am packing a 100ml bottle in my luggage right now".
Knightsbridge de Robert Piguet
For all the readers worldwide of CaFleureBon we have a special gift …courtesy of Joe Garces -an opportunity to own Knightsbridge perfume, an olfactive homage that at this time, will be exclusive only to Harrod's.
To enter this special draw, please leave a quality comment about your favorite Robert Piguet Parfums fragrance(s):(classic, nouvelle,pacific collections). If you want your comment to count twice, guess the #2 best selling fragrance in the line. How about a shout out to Joe Garces, one of the Industry's Nice Guys as well. On Facebook like Robert Piguet Parfums here. Draw closes June 4, 2013.
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.