Barbara Herman and Jo Fairley live interviews
Persolaise Two new interviews for you. The first is with Eris founder Barbara Herman, in which she discussed her latest release – Mother’s Milk, composed by Antoine Lie – as well…
perfume industry
Penhaligon’s Lily Of The Valley review – Michael Pickthall; 1976
– As I type these words, the fragrance world is abuzz with the news that Estée Lauder might be purchasing Puig, the company that currently owns several perfume brands, including…
For The 600th Episode Of Love At First Scent – A Live Interview With Patricia De Nicolai
For the 600th episode of my Love At First Scent series, I was joined in the virtual studio by a very special guest: Patricia De Nicolai, founder of her eponymous…
Waiting For The Right Time – Christine Nagel On The Creation Of Hermes Barenia Intense
– Some perfumes arrive on the market not at the right time. I have a good example — Wrappings from Clinique. I love this perfume. But it arrived too early.…
Hiram Green, Live Interview On The Launch Of Ultra
I was delighted to welcome self-taught, Holland-based perfumer Hiram Green into my virtual studio a few days ago. He discussed his latest release, Ultra — which he describes as channelling…
Valerie & Remi Pulverail, Les Indemodables, Live Interview On The Launch Of Vanille Havane – Cuir Des Abysses
I never cease to be amazed by the stories behind the creation of some perfumery ingredients. The latest one to be brought to my attention is linked to a shipwreck…
Before & After – Quentin Bisch – La Fin Du Monde & Aldebaran
– I first became aware of Quentin Bisch not by smelling one of his works but by seeing him on my TV screen. In the second episode of Ian Denyer’s…
Before & After – A New Series On My Substack, Charting The Development Of Renowned Perfumers
– This is almost pointless. A fact that’s slightly ironic given that, on paper, the idea looks as though it shouldn’t be the least bit tricky to pull off. Step…
Where Did The Different Company Go Wrong? + A Review Of Sel De Vetiver (Celine Ellena; 2006)
– It’s interesting to compare The Different Company with Editions De Parfums Frederic Malle. Both launched their first releases in 2000. Both gave prominence to the role of perfumers. TDC…
Are We At A Turning Point? – Thoughts On Esxence 2025
— To put it in one sentence, the event was a marketplace. But then it didn’t pretend to be anything else. Yes, the idea of perfumery as an artistic endeavour…
Sebastien Tissot, Nissaba, Live Interview
Sustainability may be an overused term in the perfume world, but Sebastian Tissot makes no apology for repeating it several times: the concept is at the core of Nissaba, the…
Cecilia Mergui, Bienaime, Live Interview
A few years ago, when Cecilia Mergui found an old powder box at a yard sale in France, she had no idea that the discovery would lead her to revive…
120 Years Of Disruption – Coty Celebrates Anniversary In Paris
— With somewhat Bond-villainesque theatricality, buttons were pressed, the lighting changed, and our gaze was drawn to a frieze depicting a desert landscape: a cue for us to be presented…
Valerie & Remi Pulverail, Les Indemodables, Live Interview On The Launch Of Coeur De Oud
An oud-based flanker is perhaps the last release we would have expected from Les Indemodables, but that’s precisely what they’ve given us in the form of Vanille Havane – Coeur…
Finding A Simple Happiness – An Interview With Marc-Antoine Barrois On The Launch Of Tilia
— There are two people Quentin Bisch loves to work with. I hope he loves to work with me. And he has great admiration for Renaud Salmon . The lucky…
Perfume’s Dark Secret – BBC Documentary Review
— As far as exposes of the perfume industry go, this one is amongst the more worrying. Seeing children being forced into hardship by a so-called luxury business is always…
Persolaise Masterclass – Episode 11 – The Industry – Independent Online Retail
For the most recent episode of my occasional Masterclass series, I veered away from ingredients and moved into the equally complex world of perfume retail. Guiding me through the journey…
Michael Edwards, American Legends, Live Interview
He may be the busiest man in the business, but fortunately for all of us, Michael Edwards, the supreme perfume guru, found some time to pop into my virtual studio…
Clara Feder & Michel Gutsatz, Le Jardin Retrouve, Live Interview
It’s generally accepted that the first, true ‘niche’ perfume brand was L’Artisan Parfumeur. But what if the history books have got that little detail wrong and what if the honour…
Eliam Puente, House Of Puente, Live Interview
The other day, I was delighted to interview Eliam Puente, founder of and sole perfumer at the House Of Puente (Iris Doux, Vespertine, Medusa and others). We talked about how…