I loved the special scent of new leather shoes. Every time I got a new pair of shoes – and this did not happen very often – I was not only totally delighted to get them but I also loved their particular smell of new leather. I used to put the new shoes beside my bed and I fell asleep with this heavenly, weird fragrance… and many, many years later, I created Onda.
As we approach the first anniversary of the passing of the incomparable Vero Kern, I thought it would be fitting to use my From The Archive series to return to 2011 and the time she agreed to answer my Twenty Blotters questions.
Although I only met her twice – once in London, once in her native Zurich – I’ve found myself thinking about her very often over the course of the last twelve months… wondering what scented beauties she still had up her eccentric sleeves… curious to discover what she would have thought of the current state of perfumery… hopeful that some burgeoning scent-maker somewhere will decide to adopt her independence of spirit.
As I write these words, I’m not sure what the future holds for her much-respected creations. But the prospects don’t look great. Certainly, the retailers I know who used to sell her work have been out of stock for months. All the more reason for me to treasure to bottle of Onda extrait she gave me a few years ago.
Anyway, before I succumb to the pull of nostalgia, I should cut this short and say that you can read the Twenty Blotters interview by clicking here.
I hope you’re resting in sweetly-scented peace, Vero.
Persolaise
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