Twenty Blotters For… Aurelien Guichard
Pick a blotter… read the question… give a short, snappy answer! It was probably inevitable that Aurelien Guichard would become a perfumer. His family has had close ties with Grasse…
Pick a blotter… read the question… give a short, snappy answer! It was probably inevitable that Aurelien Guichard would become a perfumer. His family has had close ties with Grasse…
Golden Chypre is an excellent name for this perfume, or at least for the first few stages of its development. A convincingly gilt-edged radiance accompanies the initial citrus notes as…
When Firmenich‘s Dora Arnaud told me that she’d put together a ‘jasmine marmalade’ accord for her first L’Artisan Parfumeur creation, I was determined to track down a real life example…
The Constantines’ love of using heady naturals comes to the fore in this highlight from last year’s mixed bag of scents under the collective name Volume 2. A compelling tale…
In a recent interview, Dora Arnaud – creator of L’Artisan Parfumeur‘s Caligna (soon to be reviewed here) – revealed that the scent contains a relatively new raw material: a tincture…
An evening at Maison Persolaise. Two of our nieces (let’s call them Miranda, 16, and Tilly, 12) have come over for a meal with their favourite aunty and uncle. We’re…
When I met Dora Arnaud at the London launch of L’Artisan Parfumeur‘s Caligna, I took the opportunity to ask about two other creations which brought her to the attention of…
There seems little point in reviewing Un Jardin Sur Le Nil. After all, it was granted a status bestowed upon few perfumes when it was placed centre stage in Chandler…
A very happy Easter to all of you who celebrate the occasion. Enjoy the feasting… and the chance to wear a suitably paschal perfume. I’m trying to decide between Andy…
As we’re approaching the Easter weekend – a time when I hope we’ll all be able to slow down and rest – I thought I’d indulge in a post that’s…
I seem to be somewhat out of step with my colleagues in the critical community, as I’ve found myself unmoved by most of Ramon Monegal’s eponymous scents. However, I’d like…
The first few shortlists for this year’s FiFi UK Awards have been announced and, as ever, they make for interesting reading. I’m always fascinated to discover which scents the industry…
Pick a concept for a new perfume brand. What hasn’t been done yet? Scents inspired by famous authors? That idea’s taken. Fragrances linked to blood groups? That one’s gone too.…
Heartfelt thanks to everybody who entered last week’s 3rd Blog Anniversary draw for a sample of Noontide Petals, amongst other goodies. According to the Powers That Be at Random.org, the…
Pia Long, editor and author of the new Volatile Fiction blog, recently posted a wonderful review of my book, in which she described it as “the equivalent of taking a…
Hellstone neatly sums up both what’s right and wrong with Gorilla‘s Volume 2 scents. On the one hand, it features an excellent accord: vetivert, cumin and opoponax brought together by…
Image: L’Artisan Parfumeur Those of you who pay attention to such matters may have noticed that the publicity campaign for L’Artisan Parfumeur‘s upcoming Caligna (see above) marks a shift in…
One day, I’m sure I’ll make the journey across to Milan for the city’s annual Esxence perfume exhibition. But right now, all I can do is pore over this list…
You wouldn’t know it from the thin veil of ice that’s covering Maison Persolaise as I type these words, but spring is just around the corner… which means it’s time…
After the phenomenal, double-whammy success of Géranium Pour Monsieur and Portrait Of A Lady, Frederic Malle had to consider his next move carefully. The latter scent in particular – a…