Everything Is Personal – An Interview With Antoine Maisondieu
Persolaise Anyone who’s a fan of the output of Etat Libre D’Orange owes a debt of gratitude to Antoine Maisondieu: working either on his own or with Antoine Lie, he has…
Etat Libre D’Orange
No Lies, No Compromises – An Interview With Perfumer Quentin Bisch
Quentin Bisch (left) with Etienne De Swardt at the Etat Libre D’Orange shop in Paris Quentin Bisch’s connection with Etat Libre D’Orange goes back to the days before the young…
“Frivolity Will Save The World” – An Exclusive Interview With Etienne De Swardt Of Etat Libre D’Orange
During a recent interview with Etienne De Swardt, founder of Etat Libre D’Orange, I asked him if it’s difficult to expand his brand without diluting its personality. “That’s the permanent…
Best Perfumes Of 2013
Don’t look now, folks, but I think we’ve made it to the end of another December. Rose-tinted nostalgia goggles aside, it’s probably fair to say that 2013 has been as…
From Mick To Madonna – The Winner Of The Etat Libre D’Orange Competition
A big Thank you to everyone who entered last week’s Etat Libre D’Orange competition. From your submissions, it looks as though you had tremendous fun trying to match the various…
Win A Bottle Of Perfume From Etat Libre D’Orange
A little while ago, I was fortunate enough to interview Etienne De Swardt, the founder of Etat Libre D’Orange, at his brand’s flagship store in Paris. The full text of…
Persolaise Review: La Fin Du Monde from Etat Libre D’Orange (Quentin Bisch; 2013)
There are several reasons to be excited about La Fin Du Monde. Firstly, it’s this year’s only release from Etat Libre D’Orange, a house which consistently manages to combine quirkiness…
A Very Public Convenience – Etat Libre D’Orange Boutique Opens In London
The latest sign of the continuing trendification of London’s East End is the opening of the Etat Libre D’Orange boutique (61 Redchurch Street, E2 7DJ; tube: Shoreditch High Street or…
Wrath In A Bottle – Seven Sinfully Angry Perfumes
This time, I seriously considered throwing in the towel. When Carrie asked us to pick one of the seven deadly sins for our next joint-list project, I immediately claimed ‘wrath’…
Le Snob Perfume On The Non-Blonde
Please click here for Gaia Fishler’s great review of my book on The Non-Blonde. I love the idea of a side-by-side comparison of Tommy Girl with Tom Of Finland! And…
Persolaise Review: The Afternoon Of A Faun + Dangerous Complicity from Etat Libre D'Orange (2012)
Ladies and gentlemen, we are in the presence of greatness. But first we need to get something less exciting out of the way. Dangerous Complicity – one of two new…
A List For Falling Leaves – Scents For Autumn
It’s joint-list-making time again. On this occasion, it’s Barney‘s turn to choose our theme and he’s drawn inspiration from that touch of dampness in the air… the plunging temperatures… the…
Persolaise Review: SE1 + N6 + W1X + EC2 from Bex London (2012)
I don’t envy anyone trying to start a niche perfume brand today. In an environment where over 1000 fragrances are released every year, standing out from the crowd is virtually…
Persolaise Review: Fils De Dieu Du Riz Et Des Agrumes from Etat Libre D’Orange (2012)
Image: Nitzan Klamer Ralf Schwieger’s ability to inject humour into his creations is well documented; smell the first few notes of his Lipstick Rose for Frederic Malle and you’ll see…
Persolaise Review: Romantina from Juliette Has A Gun + Bijou Romantique from Etat Libre D’Orange + For Her Eau Délicate from Narciso Rodriguez (2012)
I approve of the philosophy behind Juliette Has A Gun: the brand tries to project niche coolness whilst making itself attractive to younger, more mainstream buyers… the very people, in…
Persolaise Christmas 2011 Recommendations + Ormonde Jayne Give-Away
My love of list-making isn’t often reflected on my blog – mainly because I rarely seem to have the time to indulge in this most boyish of activities – but…
Twenty Blotters For… Etienne De Swardt
Okay, like last Tuesday’s post, this one isn’t by a guest either, but it does hand the microphone to someone other than myself, which means it’s very much in keeping…
Review: Smart, Craft & Sharp from Andrea Maack (2010)
There are some people out there who think that Gus Van Sant’s remake of Psycho is superior to Hitchcock’s original. Even though they fully understand that the newer version is…
Maack, Jayne & Opus V
If numbers are anything to go by, last night’s Andrea Maack event at Les Senteurs was a runaway success. I’d never seen the place so packed before! Now I just…
Review: Archives 69 from État Libre D’Orange (2011)
You can’t accuse ÉLdO of cowardice. The instant accessibility of last year’s commendable Like This may have raised fears that one of perfumery’s cockiest houses was starting to play it…