In Conversation with Michael Edwards: A Very Special Evening Hosted by Perfumed Plume + Fragrances of The World 2016 Draw

Mary Ellen Lapsansky, Bibi Praval, Michael Edwards and Lyn Leigh (photo Perfumed Plume)

On Tuesday, November 14th, 2017 Perfumed Plume presented “A Special Evening, In Conversation with Michael Edwards, Talking with Bibi Prival”, which was held at the Society of Illustrators in New York City.  Michael Edwards who is known world-wide, attracted so many devoted fragrance lovers, industry leaders and star perfumers, the evening was like the “who's who in fragrance”; attendees included Westly Morris and Miranda Gordon of Mane, Pierre Wulff of Robertet, Rodrigo Flores-Roux and Olivier Gillotin of Givaudan, Estee Lauder’s Helen Murphy and Trudi Loren, Evaluator Sophie Bensamou and marketing director Doreen Bucher of Symrise, Rhona Stokols and Darryl Do of Perfumariē, Karen Dubin of Sniffapalooza, Gretchen Dowling of Elizabeth Arden/Revlon, Bart Schmidt of Brands with Purpose,  Paula Pulvino of Villa of the Mysteries Perfume, and Tyler DeLabarr Kramer of BLOCKI Parfums.

 Perfumed Plume founders Mary Ellen Lapsansky and Lyn Leigh greeted us. As Lyn Leigh, reminded us: “Mrs. Evelyn Lauder referred to Michael Edwards as “the perfume experts’ expert” and no one could have said it more accurately. We welcome and thank Bibi Prival as the evening’s interviewer.” 

Bibi Prival and Michael Edwards (photo Perfumed Plume)

Fragrance expert, author, and industry ambassador, Michael Edwards, (the founding editor of Fragrances of the World, the largest guide to perfume classifications) and Bibi Prival, Evaluator at MANE, (well known to the industry as a teacher and mentor to emerging talent) took the stage.

Michael Edwards in New York (photo Marge Khoury of Fragrances of the World)

Michael Edwards  came to New York to discuss three upcoming books, Fragrances of the World: Artisan & Selective Houses (2018), Perfume Legends: French Feminine Fragrances – The New Edition (2018), and American Legends (2019). A world traveler, Michael Edwards divides his time between homes in Malta, Australia, and Paris, where he shares his studio with Pierre Dinard,  the famous and much lauded flacon designer for Opium, Madame Rochas, Eau Sauvage (to name a few). 

Edmond Roudniskta, photo from Michel Roudnitska's archives

“In life, it's who you know and that can open doors that normally would be a challenge to open”. Michael Edwards referenced Guy Robert, now president of the French Society of Perfumers and perfumer Edmond Roudnitska as his two mentors. He noted that his first book, The Fragrance Manual (renamed Fragrances of the World in 2000),  was independently published in 1984,  when there were only 29 new fragrances released that year compared to last year’s staggering 2,360 new scents.

The attendees at the event (photo Perfumed Plume)

Michael Edwards shared fascinating facts throughout the one-hour conversation. One that  surprised almost all was that Chanel No. 5 was probably released in 1922, not 1921 and was most likely launched with 8 other perfumes, (not as a stand-alone as believed). Michael spoke about both vintage and contemporary fragrances including Fracas (Robert Piquet) and  Nahema Guerlain. He called Serge Lutens a brilliant genius. Other noteworthy perfumes and perfumers discussed were Frederic Malle's Portrait of a Lady by Dominique Ropion, Terre d’Hermes by Jean-Claude Ellena, and L’Artisan Parfumeur Timbuktu by Bertrand Duchaufour. A legend in the making? Christine Nagel’s Galop d' Hermes. Michael noted that consumers create legends, not experts like himself.

Halston with his iconic perfume bottles designed by Elsa Perretti

For his upcoming American Legends book, Michael Edwards expects to feature 40 fragrances. His hope is that it would be a clarion call as a reminder to all of the majesty of American fragrance. In rapid succession, he spoke of some of his. Michael considers. Norell (1968) the first great American designer fragrance. Charlie (1973), changed the whole business with a new generation of women buying fragrance for themselves. He spoke of Calvin Klein’s advertising genius and of Halston (1975) by Halston, Oscar (1976) Oscar de la Renta. And of course, the infamous Giorgio Beverly Hills were referenced.

Bart Schmidt Brands with Purpose,  Trudi Loren Estee Lauder , Helen Murphy Estee Lauder,  Olivier Gillotin Givaudan (photo Perfumed Plume)

He noted that Frank Voelkl's Santal 33  for Le Labo, Tom Ford's Black Orchid and Rodrigo Flores Roux's Neroli Portofino Private Blend (2006) are modern classics. When asked to reveal a fragrance(s) that made him uncomfortable he immediately remembered Michael Jackson's trio of fragrances which he found appalling. Even the monkey did not like them, he quipped! The room broke out into collective laughter.

Bibi asked if any perfumer had ever created a fragrance for him. Michael Edwards said that Guy Robert once created a citrus twist on Hermes Equipage for him. 

Rodrigo Flores-Roux

When Bibi inquired which perfumer(s) he would choose, dead or alive, to create a signature scent for him, he responded, Rodrigo Flores-Roux, Christophe Laudamiel, or Francis Kurkdijian  all very much alive.

One common complaint he brought up more than once during the evening was the lack of a common language to describe a fragrance. "The way Lauder describes fragrances is quite different than say the way Dior does or Calvin Klein. Such a pity" he said. "What the industry needs is more honesty and more focus on the scent. Unfortunately, retailers only care if it brings people through the door."

With regard to niche fragrances, he is tired of speaking to companies and creative directors who announce themselves as perfumers and show a photo of themselves at an organ and when he smells their fragrance he knows it is one of Rodrigo's.  "Niche must be more honest. It's an artisanal kind of thing. Many are not honest. They are just creating a story." He traces niche back to Jean Laporte and L'Artisan Parfumeur. Which countries’ perfumes (besides those of France, Italy, and America) intrigue him? The UK topped his list in Europe. In Asia, he thought of Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. The Middle East is an interesting market, but many there judge by price, believing the more expensive the better. 

Thank you to Mary Ellen Lapsansky and Lyn Leigh for a wonderful evening.

–Hernando Courtright, Sr Contributor and Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief 

Thanks to the generosity of Fragrances of The World US and Canada Distributor MJ5 Consultants, we have a 2016 Fragrances of the World for one registered reader in the U.S or Canada. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying where you live, what you found compelling about Hernando's write-up. What question would you ask Michael Edwards? Draw closes 11/29/2017

We announce the winners only on our website and on our Facebook page, so like Cafleurebon and use our RSS feed … or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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11 comments

  • fazalcheema says:

    This is a brilliant brilliant lecture by Michael Edwards. He has so perfectly captured my sentiment in this paragraph and anyone who has followed me on the forums knows it, “With regard to niche fragrances, he is tired of speaking to companies and creative directors who announce themselves as perfumers and show a photo of themselves at an organ and when he smells their fragrance he knows it is one of Rodrigo’s. “Niche must be more honest. It’s an artisanal kind of thing. Many are not honest. They are just creating a story.””

    I did not know Michael Edwards share office with Pierre Dinard in paris and of course, I knew of Pierre Dinard before since I take intellectual approach to this hobby, too. I am glad most of the perfumes mentioned by Michael are in my collection except maybe vintage Norell which I might seek out now. I also knew Halston bottle was created by Elsa Perretti because Perretti was quite in demand back then and did lot of design work with Tiffany & Co.

    I am really struggling to think what question I would ask Edward. But maybe I would ask him why fragrance companies like IFF, Givaudan cannot sell discontinued perfumes to consumers by demand, may be in plain bottles and packaging so as not to run afoul of trademark laws. I am in the US.

  • Old Herbaceous says:

    What a wonderful interview and summary of it! I live in the continental US. What I found most compelling is how the writer delineates the length of time spanned by Mr. Edwards’ personal knowledge of great perfumers, from the legends of yesterday to the up and coming young talents of today. I look forward to his upcoming books! I would like to ask Mr. Edwards if he thinks there is any way to restore legendary fragrances and relax or revise the IFRA regulations that have resulted in so many reformulations.

  • Chocolate Marzipan says:

    What a fascinating interview and history! I was especially interested in Mr. Edwards’ opinions regarding the current state of niche companies and niche perfumers. My question would be “If you could have only ONE perfume to wear for the rest of your life, what would it be?” I reside in the USA

  • Soren says:

    Very interesting report. I noticed all the modem classics were big companies like Tom Ford and Le Labo owned by Lauder. I would ask him which independent perfumes he thinks are excellent.
    Thank you

  • Steve A. says:

    This entire read was compelling. I would like to ask Mr. Edwards a question if I could, but to him only not here. USA

  • Hasib says:

    Great review. It would be nice to meet some of these people and to sit and chat with Michael. Thanks for this giveaway. From USA

  • NiceVULady says:

    I’m on the southeastern seacoast of the U.S.A. I was most interested in this article in its entirety. I’d ask Mr. Edwards why he would choose those particular perfumers to make a bespoke fragrance for him. I’d also be interested to hear him speak more about artisanal and independent perfumers. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • Ginny M says:

    Oooh, to limit it to 40? That sounds like a challenge! I live in the U.S., and the question I think I would ask Mr. Edwards is “what young nose — under, oh, 35, let’s say — do you think will end up producing one of the world’s great, memorable fragrances? (Because, let’s be honest, every year seems to see more and more launches! So much harder to know which will have staying power!)

  • rustee45 says:

    Interesting what was said about niche perfumers–that “many” are simply creating a “story” and disingenuously passing creations off as their own. I would ask which ones! Also which US niche and independent houses he prefers and why. I live in the US.

  • sillage8 says:

    Hard to fathom how much this has changed, “…independently published in 1984, when there were only 29 new fragrances released that year compared to last year’s staggering 2,360 new scents.” I hadn’t realized that Santal 33 by Le Labo was held in such high esteem as to be a modern classic.

    Don’t really have a question, it’s always good to hear a true expert take the conversation where they think it should go.

  • yukon1 says:

    I enjoyed mr.edwards calling out some of these posers in the industry,i felt this was someone not afraid to speak the truth,quite refreshing .I also am astonished how fast the perfume industry is growing and how the rate new fragrances are being pumped out it seems everyone is trying get in the game .

    What question would i ask mr.edwards probably like to know if he had to wear one fragrance only for the rest of his life what fragrance would it be and why.

    I am in Canada

    Thanks for giveaway and the article really enjoyed this one.