An olfactive laboratory is where you imagine the mad scientists of perfumery performing alchemy; mixing potent concoctions of raw materials in beakers, dressed in white lab coats. Perhaps there is an explosion or two. In my mind’s eye I see frenetic perfumers, with gleaming eyes, adding a pinch of ambergris, a dollop of rose absolue, a soupcon of …
One whiff of Ajne Perfumes new organic perfume Sublime, which will be on sale next month, will transport you to a white sandy beach, icy mojito in hand with a balmy summer breeze lightly caressing your skin. Sublime touches your senses with a fresh trio of tropical limes from some of the world’s most exotic …
Over the past six months, perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour has created three startlingly original floral fragrances. Beginning with his “corrupted floral oriental” Penhaligon’s Amaranthine. Amaranthine was a fragrance that delved into all the dark and private places that a floral fragrance can go (amusingly dubbed “Amaranthigh” by many because of the sensuality it oozed). The second in this …
My first Duchaufour was the original Jo Malone's Grapefruit; yes, that is right… he composed it in the early 1990s. It is much changed from the original, which never smelled like grapefruit, but what the idea of grapefruit could be. But it showed that even 12 years ago, Bertrand could have his way with any ingredient and turn it upside its …
From a fragrance perspective Middle Eastern aesthetics have slowly been creeping into Western consciousness. The Internet has opened up the availability of the classic Arabian Attars. Besides perfumer's Salaam Attar's authentic natural fragrances for his line Profumu.it , and the luxury fragrance company Amouage (which is taking these influences and adding a decidedly French twist to …
My life partner for the last 15 years, Al Schackman was Nina Simone’s Music Director, guitarist, and one of her closest allies and friends for 46 years. It was a complex relationship with many ups and downs mostly due to Nina’s emotional condition but through the years when people would take him aside and question “why do …
