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 …
There is a saying that every sibling has a different 'mother'. Some are biological, some are not. Some are with us, some have departed this earth. Yet, most often the memories of our mothers can be evoked in a moment, by our most primeval sense…our sense of smell. Author Daphne Du Maurier wrote,"If only there could be an …
There are 'friends-in-fragrance' and there are friends. Seldom does one have the opportunity to interview a perfumer that is both. Dawn Spencer Hurwitz, the founder and owner of Parfums des Beaux Arts (affectionately known as DSH), is the exception. Can one separate the two? That is the more professional and journalistic approach, but not mine, not today. Dawn is …
Ever since Christian Dior spun-off Miss Dior into Miss Dior Cherie and Chanel transformed Coco into the top selling Coco Mademoiselle, the fragrance industry has seen a plethora of flankers. Flankers are new formulations of a familiar fragrance with enough of the original DNA present to be identifiable and enough new ingredients to make you think you …
As the temperature climbs we put away our heavy orientals and chypres and reach for fragrances that blossom on our skins. Frederic Malle Editions de Parfums En Passant For me, spring means the green of growing things and the early flowers that go with that. Surrounding my house are lilacs and my all-time favorite lilac fragrance …
Cartier, les heures de Cartier, the French lifestyle brand, has quietly been making a mark on the fragrance world. Both Declaration and Le Baiser du Dragon, are two well-received fragrances of this first decade of the 21st century. Many of the bottle designs have made reference to, in particular, the House's watch making heritage. The watch stems …
