Persolaise Review: Un Jardin Sur Le Nil from Hermès (Jean-Claude Ellena; 2005)
Persolaise 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…
Persolaise Review: Jour D’Hermès from Hermès (Jean-Claude Ellena; 2012)
Although it’s been around only for a couple of months, Jean-Claude Ellena‘s latest creation for Hermès‘ ‘mainstream’ collection has already attracted tremendous amounts of praise. Despite an embargo on media…
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…
A Fresh Intake Of Art
On the outskirts of Paris, inside an unassuming building a short distance from the banks of the Seine, a handful of young men and women is huddled over pipettes, weighing…
You'll Always Have The Truth – An Interview With Mathilde Laurent
Image: Cartier I realise I’m probably being a bit mean, but there’s something about Mathilde Laurent that suggests she’s up for a fun challenge. She’s at London’s Savoy Hotel, launching…
Persolaise Review: Déclaration D’Un Soir + Eau De Cartier Essence De Bois from Cartier + Colonia Intensa Oud from Acqua Di Parma (2012)
Perfume review: Cartier Declaration D'Un Soir & Eau De Cartier Essence De Bois, Acqua Di Parma Colonia Intensa Oud
Win A Signed Copy Of Jean-Claude Ellena’s New Book
I haven’t quite managed to get back onto the frenetic merry-go-round that I fondly call Normal Life (my soul is still on a lilo, bobbing along to the tune of…
The Enigmatic Illusionist – An Interview With Jean-Claude Ellena
It’s interesting to consider why Jean-Claude Ellena attracts as much reverence as he does. The simplest explanation might be that he deserves it for his work. After all, Déclaration, Terre…
If You’re Going To Criticise Someone’s Work…
Yesterday, The Observer published Rachel Cooke’s review of Jean-Claude Ellena’s new book. Sadly, her appraisal did little more than remind me that mainstream media really shouldn’t tackle the subject of…
Any Questions For Jean-Claude Ellena? + Guess What: More Oud
Just a few quickies from me today. Firstly, it was wonderful to see an article on Basenotes last Tuesday reporting the imminent publication of my perfume guide. Please click here…
Poisonous Mistakes – An Interview With Givaudan (Part 2)
In the first instalment of this interview, Givaudan’s Jean Guichard and Hervé Fretay explained the cross-cultural ethos they now follow when selecting new students for their world-famous fragrance creation course.…
People Have Nothing Else To Talk About: The Final Part Of The Kurkdjian Interview
Many thanks to all of you who’ve left comments and sent emails about part 1 and part 2 of my interview with Francis Kurkdjian. Here’s the final chapter, in which…
The Best Perfumes Of 2011 & Thoughts On Independence
Although I sometimes complain about a lack of interesting perfume releases, I must admit that I found it difficult to whittle today’s list down to ten. Looking back over my…
Santal Blush & Jasmin Rouge from Tom Ford Private Blend (2011) + Jersey Winner
Tom Ford Santal Blush and Jasmin Rouge review by award-winning perfume critic Persolaise (Yann Vasnier, Rodrigo Flores-Roux, 2011)
Mona Di Orio Draw Winner + Impossible Potion – Episode 2 Of The BBC’s Perfume Documentary
Despite the best efforts of an eccentric, pipe-smoking, kilt-wearing American, the trans-Atlantic battle in the second episode of BBC Four’s Perfume documentary is again won by France. In this instalment,…
Twenty Blotters For… Vero Kern
Vero Kern interview by perfume critic Persolaise (2011, Vero Profumo, Twenty Blotters)
Reviews: Cologne Du Parfumeur from Guerlain (2010), Un Jardin Sur Le Toit from Hermès (2011) & Aqua Universalis Forte from Maison Francis Kurkdjian (2011)
I may be a fan of Absolue Pour Le Soir, but Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s other releases never tempt me to reach for my credit card, so I was wary of…
Review: Voyage d'Hermès by Hermès (2010)
The idea of a perfume taking you on a trip has been a cliché for quite some time, so when you encounter a new creation which dares to call itself…