Chandler Burr’s Secret Perfumer Answers Readers’ Questions
Persolaise Image: OpenSky Those of you who follow Chandler Burr‘s thought-provoking Untitled Series on OpenSky (link no longer active) will no doubt be aware that ‘Season 1′ has reached its tenth…
Is That A Bell I Hear?
Some summer reading… One of those curious little ironies of life: I get tons of ideas for blog posts when I’m in ‘no writing allowed’ holiday mode. Whilst Madame Persolaise…
Persolaise Review: Made To Measure from Gucci (perfumer unknown; 2013)
I often wonder if some perfume manufacturers enjoy having a laugh at our expense. It’s the kind of straw-grasping idea that pops into my head when I try to understand…
Persolaise Review: Eau De Monsieur from Annick Goutal (Annick Goutal / Camille Goutal & Isabelle Doyen; 1980/2013)
Wow! Cover me with slices of lemon and sprinkle me with a pinch of salt. Eau De Monsieur is back. Sadly, I never had a chance to smell the original…
Persolaise Review: Vaara (Bertrand Duchaufour) and Iris Prima (Alberto Morillas) from Penhaligon’s (2013)
I worry about reviewing another Bertrand Duchaufour creation almost as much as I worry about reviewing another oud scent. They are both extremely ubiquitous; some would say excessively so. I’m…
Persolaise Review: Thirty Three from Ex Idolo (perfumer unknown; 2013)
This was one I approached with dread. “It’s an oud,” I was told. ‘Just kill me now,’ I thought to myself. “It’s exceptionally good,” they said. ‘Please, make it quick,’…
Persolaise Review: Pour Monsieur from Chanel (Henri Robert; 1955)
Is bitterness now seen as old-fashioned in masculine scents? I asked myself the question the other day when I decided to wear Chanel’s Pour Monsieur. Don’t get me wrong, I…
Persolaise Review: Rive D’Ambre, Shanghai Lily, Fleur De Chine and Plum Japonais from Tom Ford (perfumers unknown; 2013)
I confess I don’t find the overarching concept of this year’s Tom Ford Private Blend quartet as convincing as last year’s. In 2012, the house released four scents under the…
Persolaise Review: Perfume Calligraphy Rose from Aramis (perfumer unknown; 2013)
When Aramis released their commendable Perfume Calligraphy, I saw the move as an attempt to corner the Arabic sector of the chest-beating, alpha-male, testosterone-fuelled territory the brand has long claimed…
Persolaise Review: Guerlain’s Parisiennes And Parisiens Come To Harrods
Dedicated followers of London’s scent routes will already be aware that Guerlain‘s Parisiens collection of ‘exclusive’ masculine fragrances (normally available only in Paris) has been at Harrods for a few…
Persolaise Review: Aqua Vitae from Maison Francis Kurkdjian (Francis Kurkdjian; 2013)
Get Lippie said it best. She and I were amongst several other writers at the press launch of Aqua Vitae and as she breathed in the scent, she closed her…
Japan’s Traditional ‘Kodo’ Incense Ceremony Comes To London
image: Cristina Jaleru – lifeofvenus.com A few months ago, I had the tremendous good fortune to witness a Japanese incense ceremony conducted by Souhitsu Isshikenn Hachiya, Junior Master at Japan’s…
À Bientôt From Persolaise
It’s that time of year again when I bid farewell to Blogger for a while and give my creative batteries a chance to recharge. I hope the rest of the…
Looking Beyond – Francis Kurkdjian At The Launch Of Aqua Vitae
I realise I may be sticking my neck out on the line by typing the following words, but I do honestly think that Francis Kurkdjian is being unfairly maligned by…
Persolaise Review: Eau De Narcisse Bleu from Hermès (Jean-Claude Ellena; 2013)
Jean-Claude Ellena followed a somewhat more traditional path with Eau De Mandarine Ambrée, one of two ‘light’ scents released by Hermès this year. But he clearly wanted Eau De Narcisse…
New Penhaligon’s And Chanel Shops In London
Image: Chanel Perfume is by no means the primary concern of the new Chanel boutique on Bond Street, but I’d recommend a visit even if you’re not interested in the…
A Bullet In The Air – Carlos Huber On The Creation Of Aleksandr
Following on from my email correspondence with Carlos Huber about what he considers to be the reasons for the success of his brand, Arquiste, I asked him if he would…
Persolaise Review: Oud Noir from Versace (perfumer unknown; 2013)
In the seemingly endless torrent of ‘oud’ scents pumped out by the mainstream, every now and then, something vaguely interesting raises its head above the water. Versace‘s Oud Noir is…
The Things You See At A Perfume Factory – A Visit To Robertet In Grasse
The photo above shows one of the sights that greeted me and Madame Persolaise when we visited Robertet’s Grasse factory in February*. A heap of mimosa, filling the air with…
Aurelien Guichard At London Launch Of Issey Miyake’s Pleats Please
Aurelien Guichard was in London in March to promote Pleats Please, the new feminine scent he’s made for Issey Miyake. Click here for an account of my meeting with him,…