photo from Robert Herrmann’s instagram @fragrantwanderer 2018

“Perfume can be impactful, engage and challenge, pushing our emotional boundaries and forcing us to re-examine and possibly realign our thoughts, fears, and dreams“. –Robert Herrmann in his review of Bruno Fazzolari’s Unsettled

Robert with his husband Ron Hall in front of their store Paper Scissors on the Rock, Lopez Island

One year ago, October 1, 2019, Senior Editor Robert Herrmann passed away; his body died. I write body because his spirit is very much alive. Robert Herrmann brought light and love to his husband Ron Hall, his local community, to his family, to his many, many friends, and to the fragrance world.  I think of him daily since his passing. I remember his smile, our lengthy phone conversations, and his passion for life… and aldehydes.

Robert sniffing a dishtowel after a half bottle of Carnal Flower spilt on it photo from Robert’s instagram @fragrantwanderer 2019

Since the Pandemic began, I sense his presence even more -especially when feeling overwhelmed or lonely. It’s as if he’s in my home wearing some of his favorite perfumes —  the tuberose and gardenia explosion of Frederic Malle’s Carnal Flower, the trail of Shelley Waddington’s Envoyage Nepenthe, and the aromas of sea and sand from Angela St. John of Solstice Scents Sea of Grey.

 

 photo from Robert’s instagram @fragrantwanderer 2019

Mandy Aftel’s Secret Garden was gifted to him by a dear friend and he cherished it; Robert also loved Diane St. Clair’s sunlit, earthy Gardener’s Glove.  Then there is Sultan Pasha’s Moonlit Reverie, the heady night blooming garden by the perfumer Robert dubbed the “Tzar of attars”, the warm synthetic skin scent of Amber Jobin of Aether Arts Android,  StrangeLove’s Lostinflowers with its lush oud and white florals –the only fragrance he brought to Esxence 2018- (the last time I saw him).

 

 here he is with just a few fragrances by Dawn 2019

Near my laptop is his “legacy perfume,” BIWA which he specifically chose Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes to create using a list of ingredients he emailed me, just days before he left this earth.

 

official Perfumed Plume seal

I believe in spirits, as did Robert.  How fitting that his article Scented Spirits: Lili Bermuda Mary Celestia Perfume” – by Robert Herrmann, Sr. Editor was a 2019 Finalist for The Perfumed Plume Awards.

photo by Robert 2018 “Love is Love”

He called himself “The Fragrant Wanderer”;  he called me his “sister by another mother”. Robert was protective of how perfume people perceived his “EIC of CFB”, even when I pretended, I didn’t care. There have been times of late when I feel myself letting go of things simply because they have become too heavy… because I know he would want me to.

Michelyn Camen, Editor-in Chief

all photos from Robert unless otherwise noted

Our thoughts to Ron today and everyday