In August of 2008, Roxana Villa decided to create a Birthday Balm for herself.
This buttery botanical scent was so beloved that she made it part of her line…
And finely honed it further.
Now under the name of Cimbalom, Roxana has just launched the liquid perfume under the light of the full blood moon
At the opening night cocktail party guests, industry leaders from around the world had the opportunity to enter to win one special 500ml bottle of 100 Flowers created by nose Carlos Benaim. The winner was announced at this morning session of the WWD CEO Summit. The fragrance was won by Sylvan Desjonqueres, President and chief executive officer of Redcats, a PPR company.
Each year, the Six Scents Parfums fragrance initiative brings the experience of creativity with a conscience to the world through a collection of six unisex scents. Created by a distinct group of designers and perfumers, these limited edition fragrances are designed to represent a global range of contemporary views on creativity and culture. Perfumers Yann Vasnier, Rodrigo Flores-Roux, Christophe Raynaud, Mary Katrantzou, Stephen Nilsen and Nathalie Gracia-Cetto collaborated with Designers Alexis Mabille, Mary Katrantzou, Junn.J, Rad Hourani, N.Hoolywood, and Ohne Titel. A percentage of proceeds will go towards War Child International, which works with children all over the world to reduce poverty, to provide education and to defend their rights.
How can we not love Cyrano? Although he is far from handsome (alas, the famous nose!), Cyrano possesses beauty of intelligence and an indefatigable spirit. And we, and eventually Roxane, fall in love with him. In the final heartbreaking act, the very last word spoken by Cyrano is panache. Co-creator Yann Vasnier describes Panache as a “coup de threatre! ambrette seed absolute and rum extract provides a dashing entrance to the flamboyant jasmine Sambac absolute and the vetyver and musk add a stylish and rich confidence.”
The first thing you notice about this man, unarguably one of the world’s greatest contemporary perfumers, is his composure, his unpretentious manner and individualism no matter his surroundings. I have called Bertrand the ‘Rockstar’ of Perfumery on several occasions; I amend that statement… he is the fragrance world’s most intrepid explorer, always his own man, requiring no entourage, flattery or handlers as he pushes the boundaries of 21st century perfumery. And he has a future in television!
Friend in fragrance Mr. Akshay Bhatia, Owner and Perfumer of independent perfume house Surabhi Fragrances, was inspired during a perfume conversation between perfumers from all around the globe to create a perfume that he called Kathmandu. Mr. Bhatia indeed did take the time in his lab to make two different versions of “Kathmandu”, one that was made with almost entirely synthetic materials and the other an almost completely natural version, with the addition of synthetic aldehydes. As I eagerly anticipated samples, I was surprised when instead of physical bottles of perfume he sent me perfume briefs (notated formula for perfume) and suggested that I make them myself. Being an entirely Natural Perfumer and having absolutely no experience with synthetics I was rather intimidated by the long list of chemicals,but nonetheless ordered the exhaustive list and the natural equivalents in order to “have a go” as my British relatives would say.
