Chantecaille Vetyver and Petales- The Other Fragrances
Sylvie Chantecaille has released some nice fragrances for her Chantecaille fragrance line. Frangipane and Jasmine were my favorites of the first five fragrances released under the Chantecaille label. Jasmine was the last release back in 2003 and the fragrances had not recently been widely available. That has all changed as Chantecaille has returned with three new fragrances. Senior Editor Ida Meister, Patty of Perfume Posse and I agree the best of these three is Kalimantan. The other two fragrances Vetyver and Petales are worthy of some attention, too.
In Praise Of Prada No. 9 Benjoin
In 2008, Miuccia Prada released three new exclusives to her elusive line-
No. 8 Opoponax, No. 9 Benjoin, and No.10. Myrrhe.
No. 8 and No.10 were surprisingly dry, for resin- inspired scents.
No. 9 Benjoin was the one I most badly craved.
The Lavender Way-Lavender Is A Many Splendored Thing
Would you…could you…leave a nice stable IT career and a sensible life in London England to…follow a dream of becoming an organic lavender farmer on the Greek Mediterranean island of Crete? That is exactly what Gill Leonard and Derek Pearce did in 2002. They now own and run an organic boutique lavender and olive farm they call “The Lavender Way” producing their own distilled lavender essential oils, beautiful lavender wands, sachets, gel, spritzers, tea, lavender pillows and the odd luxury gift.
G. Nejman Emir-Sheikh It Up
I can certainly sympathize with those of you who are experiencing oud fatigue. The last twelve months has seen this most Middle Eastern of notes used ubiquitously in seemingly every other new fragrance that comes out. I do have to say that I have been impressed with the versatility of oud when used by different perfumers as it has progressed form the rose oud combination through many different iterations. With Emir we come full circle back to a rose oud centered fragrance although the source of the rose is the “green rose” of geranium and that slightly tweaks the formula.
The Different Company de Bachmakov- Bloodlines As Deep As The Terre
Celine Ellena’s latest release might be her best fragrance to date; The Different Company de Bachmakov weaves disparate notes into uncommon beauty and uses the inspiration of the Annee France-Russie as starting point. Right from that inspiration the idea of marrying the steppes of Russia with the fertile fields of Bordeaux would make for something interesting. The choices Mme. Ellena makes take de Bachmakov beyond interesting and into the realm of breathtaking.