Surabhi Fragrances Kathmandu- A Fragrant Journey Into The Art Of Perfumery

September 25, 2010January 26, 2011

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.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Absolue pour Le Matin & Absolue pour Le Soir: Day and Night

September 23, 2010

2010 has been a year of cologne releases that have helped redefine and revolutionize the idea of eau de cologne. One of those revolutionary ideas was that of a “cologne absolue”. It is a version of perfumery that I was hopeful to see more of. It only took six months for me to see my aspiration come true. Francis Kurkdjian followed up with absolue formulations of the two colognes from his Maison Francis Kurkdjian line. These are not flankers they are truly as M. Kurkdjian calls them “alter egos” to the corresponding Cologne.

EnVoyage Perfumes Peche Noir- Life’s a Peach

September 22, 2010

Shelley Waddington, of En Voyage Perfumes, has just opened a brand new website!
She was kind enough to send me beautiful photographs, a sample of Peche Noir, and a list of the notes she used.
Shelley’s intention was to create a smoldering, smoky juicy chypre that is
“evocative of an elegant second skin”.

Anamor You Are- Take Your Time To Get It Right

September 19, 2010

Anamor released their first fragrance in 2005, All That Matters was a simple fragrance centered around a Tibetan musk discovered on a trip to New York City. Based on the story behind All That Matters it seemed like there would never be another Anamor branded perfume. Then a press release landed in my e-mail announcing a second fragrance from Anamor, You Are.

Illuminated Perfumes: Truth in Advertising, Peace and Gracing The Dawn

September 8, 2010

Roxana Villa talks the talk and walks the walk.
And I love her for this- among many, many other reasons.
She launches herself whole-heartedly into each endeavor with a full heart and a willing spirit.
Her perfumery is no exception.
She is a perfectionist, romantic visionary for whom botanical is best.
Two of Roxana’s newer compositions are Peace and Gracing the Dawn; she was kind enough to send them last week.

Chantecaille Vetyver and Petales- The Other Fragrances

September 2, 2010

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.