Buttons, Dots And A Whole Load Of Gatsby Dresses – London’s FiFi Awards Ceremony
Persolaise My FiFi evening began with a wardrobe malfunction. Just as Madame Persolaise and I were about to step onto the red carpet at the entrance to London’s Brewery, I felt…
The (Not Entirely) Unbearable Lightness Of Lightness – Perfumes For Summer 2013
There was once a pot which called a kettle black. I try to remind myself of this each time I feel the urge to become snooty about so-called ‘summer scents’.…
FiFi UK 2013 Best Independent Perfume Award Shortlist
Image: Fragrance Foundation UK The people at Fragrance Foundation UK have just released the shortlist for this year’s Best Independent Perfume FiFi Award, a category for which I had the…
Persolaise Review: Opus VII from Amouage (Pierre Negrin & Alberto Morillas; 2013)
When my sample of Opus VII was delivered, Madame Persolaise’s parents were chez nous for tea and cakes. Such cross-generational, bi-gender opportunities are not to be missed: I immediately extricated…
Persolaise Review: Noontide Petals from Tauer Perfumes (Andy Tauer; 2013)
Andy Tauer has been cleaning up his act. When he entered the world of scent creation, he set himself up as the purveyor of all things nocturnal, mysterious and more…
Persolaise Review: Caligna from L’Artisan Parfumeur (Dora Arnaud; 2013)
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…
Warmest Wishes For Easter 2013
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…
FiFi UK 2013 Best Perfume Commercial Nominees
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…
First Shortlists For 2013 FiFi UK Awards
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…
Oh, To Be In Milan – Esxence 2013
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…
Persolaise Review: Dries Van Noten from Editions De Parfums Frederic Malle (Bruno Jovanovic; 2013)
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…
Persolaise.com Is Three Years Old
One cause for celebration leads to another: today is my blog’s third anniversary! I’ll mark the occasion properly on Friday (there’ll be a special post as well as a give-away;…
Persolaise Wins Second Jasmine Award
Richard E Grant dropped the F-bomb. Air kisses were executed with a level of skill normally reserved for Olympic sports. And I finally got to meet Bois De Jasmin‘s charming…
Persolaise Review: 1932 from Chanel (Jacques Polge; 2013)
I’ve finally understood my problem with 1932: its conclusion doesn’t live up to the promise shown by its opening. That’s hardly a profound insight – and I’m almost embarrassed to…
Persolaise Review: Beloved Man from Amouage (Alexandra Carlin; 2013)
It’s not often I’m relieved to discover that a perfume is less than spectacular. I’ve got so many ‘must buy’ Amouages on my list, that the prospect of yet another…
Persolaise Review: La Fille De Berlin from Serge Lutens (Christopher Sheldrake; 2013)
The latest from Lutens and Sheldrake is a delightful exercise in wrong-footing the wearer. At first, a potential buyer is likely to notice its colour: dense, purple and almost opaque,…
Look Good Feel Better & Selfridges Present Festival Of Fragrance
The UK branch of Look Good Feel Better has teamed up with Selfridges to put together a week-long Festival Of Fragrance at the beginning of March. I’m deeply honoured to…
Love At Chapter One: Perfumes For Valentine’s Day 2013
You won’t be surprised to learn that I think my book would make an ideal present for Valentine’s Day: it’s pretty, it’s entertaining and it might lead the scentusiast (or…
Persolaise Review: Le Beau Male from Jean-Paul Gaultier (Francis Kurkdjian; 2013)
Back in 1995, Jean-Paul Gaultier released his first fragrance for men. You may have heard of it. It’s called Le Male, it’s sold in a bottle shaped likely a finely-toned…
Persolaise Review: Marni eau de parfum (Daniela Andrier; 2013)
There are two, closely related opening statements I could’ve used for this review. The first is that debut scents from fashion houses have recently attained high standards of quality (check…