Skylines at Cannes 2023 by Danu Seith Fyr

It is always a joy to travel back to the south of France and revel for a few brief moments in the world apart that is the Cote d’Azur. Time still exists in a warp here, albeit a little jaded by modernity’s race.  You can still sense the taste and scents of a heyday, embraced by vast numbers of super yachts at play and at anchor and nothing diminishes the night’s bustle of café and restaurant life in Le Suchet or the endless sunrises and sunsets viewed from a rooftop unchanged through all of Cannes’s incarnations. In part one, I bring you my impressions and the highlights of Cannes Fragrance Event 2023.

It captures you, with its atmosphere of refined wealth and relaxation and is the perfect backdrop to meet with perfume brands and friends alike, the meeting of new acquaintances, and the inevitable evening adventures of parties and shared dinners. I was visiting Cannes 2023 as the representative of ÇaFleureBon and also in my own right as a perfume writer at Profumiscribe. Cannes for me consists primarily of events and meetings outside of the TWFA ( October 1-5, 2023) and often as its a forum designed for retailers and distributors, I am privy to upcoming releases, some of which I cannot mention by name yet, so please forgive me the little occasional tease without betraying confidences, for I am known to be good at keeping secrets!!

AKRO event at Villa Botanica, Grasse. 1,2. Villa Botanica, 3. Oliver Cresp and Danu, 4. Anais Cresp and Christophe, 5. AKRO collection. 6. Rise, 7, 8, 9. Villa Botanica – by Danu Seith Fyr© at Cannes 2023

I had arrived in Cannes on September 29^th earlier than usual as I had received  through ÇaFleureBon, a generous invitation from AKRO and Olivier and Anais Cresp to attend an afternoon launch of their new release, RISE.  This launch took place at Villa Botanica, the Firmenich villa high above Grasse in the Provençale hills. It was a gloriously hot afternoon when we arrived and the welcome was just as warm.  It was a great pleasure for me to meet the legendary perfumer Olivier Cresp in person and his daughter Anais. We had time upon arrival to spend time with RISE and the complete collection of AKRO- Awake, Dark and Smoke being particular favorites of mine. Cocktails and a delicious array of aperitifs were provided and we had the opportunity to wander the beautiful gardens and take in the breathtaking views. In two groups we were then given the opportunity to explore the Villa Botanica gardens and green house in the company of Antoine, the botanist and person responsible for growing such an exotic array of plants including cinnamon, frangipani, patchouli and cacao.  Afterwards we took refuge from the afternoon heat inside with Christophe, a truly passionate and knowledgeable tropical botanist who took us through a wide array of raw materials including several within the composition of RISE, a fragrance full of jazz at the height of summer in the midst of Notting Hill Carnival. Warm and inviting, it carouses on heated winds and sultry scents. The afternoon concluded with further refreshments and the chance to mingle and converse, dancing of course. I discovered in conversation with Olivier, our mutual love of wines and the environment of vineyards, something to be continued over a good red wine or three in the future!!!  We were gifted an exclusive bottle of RISE, decorated by a talented UK artist based in Brighton, Mister Phil @misterphildraws. An exceptional day of new people and perfumed explorations. My thanks to Olivier, Anais, Angela and all at Akro.

 

Elizabeth Gaynes and Strangelove NYC by Danu Seith Fyr@ Cannes 2023

Meeting with Elizabeth Gaynes, the Founder of Strangelove NYC and her Vice-President Simone Wicker at Cannes 2023 was indeed a great pleasure. I had purchased samples from the brand quite some time ago and had developed an affection for a number, but to be able to take the time to hear from Elizabeth herself the founding story of Strangelove NYC and its evolution was inspiring to say the least. Here are quality perfumes of great depth that include sourced raw materials from several other projects initiated by Elizabeth. When we today speak volumes about transparency and sustainability, here at the very forefront was Elizabeth in the development of Strangelove NYC,  a perfume brand with an inspiring story and a veritable dynamo at its helm. My initial investigations were upheld and SilencetheSea drifted into my heart immediately, Fallintostars and Deadofnight are too intoxicating for words, smouldering concoctions that reflect their quality of composition through and through. Pure perfumed artistry, composed by Master Perfumer Christophe Laudemiel.

Oman Luxury – Collection and new formulation Wanderlust – by Danu Seith Fyr© Cannes 2023

Oman Luxury was my next appointment after a day exploring Grasse and St Paul de Vence, visiting with Olivier Durbano and Jessica September Buchanan along with Maison Godet. Muatasim, Muadh and Ahmed from Oman Luxury were graceful and warm once again with their hospitality, wonderful discussions on future trends shared with friends and although I have already had an introduction to their collection, it was marvelous to have the time denied at Esxence 2023 in Milan, (where ÇaFleureBon is a media partner of 13 years) to explore, ask questions and to discover their new interpretation of Wanderlust. With a vibrancy unparalleled it has been changed to illuminate nature distilled, the fig and clary sage at its heart are captivating, such a depth of green tones. I still have many firm favorites to explore further, Dejan, Voyage and Paramour to name a few.  Frankincense of course played a central role and was not only lit for our pleasure but offered to chew as it has many benefits for health. We were also served an Omani Halwa dessert, quite frankly delicious.

Tanguy Le Baud – Art Meets Art – Danu Seith Fyr© at Cannes 2023

I learned of Tanguy Le Baud, the founder of Art Meets Art, while reading a recent ÇaFleureBon article by J Weariscent on Lilac Wine which piqued my curiosity. When Michelyn had asked me meet with Tanguy, I was more than happy to. Tanguy is a passionate advocate for his brand and his art and we spent a very pleasant time in conversation finding many points of common interest. The brand sets out to provide the perfume and music lover with a point of convergence, taking for the collection iconic pieces of popular music, music that gets into your soul and that everyone knows in one form or another. Four at present songs that we all know and giving that brief to certain well-known perfumers. As Tanguy says it’s like a perfumed playlist for this above all is his motto, he wants people to have fun and to play with the perfumes and the music depending on their mood. From the original four I have to say Sexual Healing was my choice, but who wouldn’t say that!!! There is a new version of an existing perfume in the collection due to be released and watch out for it, it’s just a very potent seduction and one I personally will wish to be wearing. Art Meets Art is an authentic and exciting collection and Tanguy is its captain full of enthusiasm and passion.

Sabine Schaffer and Plume Impression by Danu Seith Fyr© at Cannes 2023

Plume Impression was a first for me, I had of course heard about the brand and read certain reviews on ÇaFleureBon but this meeting, a chance one for me, thanks to Elizabeth at Strangelove NYC was eye-opening.  Sabine Schaffer and husband Gabriel were warm and inviting and spent a lot of time with me to introduce their collection which is testament to their love and also to their memories of travelling, given wings by the flight of a feather that invites us to join it on its flight to many lands and intimate surroundings.  Once again conversations swirled, given impetus by the very stories of the perfume itself and we all found ourselves amongst common passions and interests. Certainly, voyages may be taken together. A beautifully crafted collection utilizing the creative talents of many highly regarded perfumers, Sabine and Gabriel’s inspirations take flight, during our lengthy meeting we were joined by Perfumer Marc Daniel Heimgartner and I was invited to take part in an evaluation session for future projects. Several of the collection spoke to me including Elegance Cuiree by Jorge Fernandez– refined and sophisticated with an edge of suave danger.

A small interlude – as always thanks to the kindness of Mert Guzel and Murat Katran I received my invitation to the Nishane party. A superb event in the magnificent location of a beachfront club in Cannes. Meeting of friends and colleagues never to be missed. The meteoritic rise of Nishane since its beginnings, it has been an honour to witness as I first met them at my first Pitti Fragranze with ÇaFleureBon in 2016.  We are thrilled by their success which has been the result of hard work and dedication. I was excited to learn the name of the perfumer for their next project and shall be waiting withheld breath, it will be magnificent but my lips are sealed. My sincere apologies as I handed the responsibility for taking photos to another and they were not saved to his phone – Apologies to Mert and Murat……. Next time I will be the paparazzi.

Sriman and Sarina – Sasva- Danu Seith Fyr© at Cannes 2023

Always I am welcomed at every perfume event by the owner and team at Release Distribution, Creative Director and Founder Giovanni Castelli. Sriman and his new wife, the beautiful Sarina are with Release with their brand Sasva. A homage to his homeland of India, Sasva is a sensuous voyage in this fascinating and ancient land. I had first encountered Sriman and Sasva at Pitti Fragranze 2022.  He is now a dear friend and I follow this immense journey he is undertaking. Here are written stories woven into ancient fabrics, whispered by stones over thousands of years, not stifled by a nostalgia but crafted into modern masterpieces that voyage through India’s heart. I had already fallen for Light of the Earth and Garden of Youth; these are now joined by the new release Moha- an Indian coffee delight. Dinners are a time to relax and reflect and we were fortunate to share quality time with Sriman and Sarina.

Salum perfumes are composed by Luca Maffei Danu Seith Fyr© at Cannes 2023

Whilst in the Release Suite, Giovanni took the time to introduce me to Salum, a brand where all the perfumes are crafted by Perfumer Luca Maffei, an interesting concept of 4 different approaches to the sea and salinity, more investigations to follow.

Kajal – III and IV and new release of Lamar Caviar – alcohol free. Danu Seith Fyr© at Cannes 2023

I was welcomed as usual to the suite of Kajal with dear Moe and Nathalie, I had been introduced to the new release Masa and the new directions of the Homme Collection, now without the word ‘Homme’ and created as genderless perfumes for one and all at our brief meeting in Pitti Fragranze, I and II will undergo their relocation into the new design bottles next year but the additions of III and IV are worth writing home about. III is a joyful burst of energetic ebullience and IV is a warm embrace of heated winds.  I was already excited by these two and having the chance to spend more time was very much appreciated. I was also honoured to be asked to assist Moe and Nathalie in a short private evaluation session for future projects to be announced later. A real pleasure and privilege, next year looks to be very exciting for Kajal.

Guiseppe Imprezzabile – Meo Fusciuni and Danu Danu Seith Fyr© at Cannes 2023

A lovely private meeting over coffee at Café Armani, such a meeting place for so many during the Cannes week with my dear friends Guiseppe and Federica, Meo Fusciuni. To talk about Meo Fusciuni Viole Nere (beautifully reviewed by Nicoleta), the melancholic beauty of freshly sprung hope in violet hues, future projects and time in Liguria together. Always my heart is full when we meet.

Danu Seith-Fyr, Contributor

For our Cannes 2023 Part 1 Giveaway

Image courtesy of Strangelove NYC

USA, EU, UK AND UAE ONLY Thanks to Strangelove NYC we have an incredibly generous international draw for15 ml of Strangelove NYC fallintostars for one registered ÇaFleureBon reader. You must register or your comment will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment on what sparked your interest about Danu’s Cannes 2023 report, where you live and why you would be happy to win Strangelove NYC fallintostars (reviewed in our Top 3 Indie Fall Fragrances Video). Draw closes 10/24/2023.

Fallintostars Notes: Daffodil, pink pepper, ginger, bergamot, saffron, rose, henna, oud, rosewood balsam, benzoin

Danu will be bringing us Part 2 very soon.

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