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…
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…
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…
If The Devil Wears Prada, What Does The Haddock Wear?
If I were to say, “Women with fish lips,” I suspect many of you would know what I’m talking about. Apparently it’s called the California look: botox, plastic surgery and…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Persolaise Review: Spicebomb from Viktor & Rolf (2012)
Please click here to be taken to Glass Magazine, where you’ll find my review of the latest masculine from Viktor & Rolf.
Italians Don’t Like Shalimar + End Of Summer Give-Away
I need a few lessons in basic Buddhism. One of the main problems with having an extremely busy Day Job and a tendency to go away on long holidays is…
New Cure For Insomnia: Counting Perfume Releases
It’s the final week of August, the holiday’s nearly over and life will soon have to return to normal at Maison Persolaise. It’s going to take a little while for…
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,…
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…
Amouage – New London Boutique
On a peaceful street in Knightsbridge, hidden behind an unsightly pyramid of scaffolding, is London’s first stand-alone boutique for Amouage, the highly-respected house founded in the early 80s by a…
Food And Fragrance
Whilst going through my files today, I encountered the very first perfume formula I put together, which – in my naive way – I thought smelled pretty good, until someone…
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…