All posts tagged: Perfume

geekiviews: MARNI Fragrance

Way back in November I sat down with Trudi Loren who is the Vice President, Corporate Fragrance Development at Estèe Lauder Companies. She was in Toronto to introduce Marni’s first fragrance to members of the press. I’m a big fan of Marni and head designer Consuelo Castiglioni. I see her clothing in person at Holt Renfrew and I find myself coveting everything. I wanted to know if she could translate that feeling to a fragrance. Marni isn’t stereotypical feminine either, how would that translate into scent. Trudi starts with the origins of the fragrance. Consuelo had specific ideas for the fragrance when she met with Estèe Lauder perfumers. They tweaked her custom fragrance after numerous design cycles using their knowledge to take the fragrance to market and still be true to Consuelo vision of Marni. She was very involved in every step of the design process, treating it like editing a collection. The starting point was typically material: it was woods and spices and the incense that Consuelo wanted, somehow reminiscent the woody landscapes of …

Les Exclusifs de CHANEL Collection – 1932

Silly me mixed up my dates and I missed the launch for the newest fragrance in the Les Exclusifs de Chanel collection. I was really excited about it because it would mean playtime at the beautiful Chanel fragrance bar in the Holt Renfrew Bloor Street store. Les Exclusifs de CHANEL collection is a modern take on the fragrances created by Ernest Beaux, Chanel’s original nose and Coco Chanel in the 20s and 30s. Chanel’s current nose, Jacques Polge launched the collection 2007 and has released more fragrances over the year. These fragrances all take inspiration from the history of the house and each one explores a singular theme. 1932 is the year that Chanel launched her first designer jewellery collection in her home. The Bijoux de Diamants collection had stars, comets, crescent moons and suns; all inspiration from the lights and signs that shine at night on the Champs-Élysées. In 2012, Jacques Polge creates the Bijoux de Diamants Collection inspired fragrance. 1932 includes top notes of Aldehydes, Bergamot, Neroli, middle notes of Carnation, Jasmine, Lilac, …

Givenchy Dahlia Noir Ad Campaign

I’m a little late on catching up with the Givenchy perfume news and I just recently discovered Dahlia Noir. The ad campaign features one of my favourite models Mariacarla Boscono and photographers Mert & Marcus. I have no idea how this fragrance smells but the ad campaign and description make me very curious. The video for Givenchy Dahlia Noir is quite dramatic and fun. Riccardo Tisci gave an interview to vogue.com.au when Dahlia Noir launched. Tell us about the notes, why did you choose rose and wood notes? From my first meeting with François Demachy [the perfumer] when we were developing the Dahlia Noir range, I spoke to him about emotions and olfactory memories, not formulas. I remember the smell of my mother and sisters’ make-up, which had a distinctive powdery and rosy scent. This is why we constructed Dahlia Noir starting with a rosy note, enriched with iris and mimosa. We then added sophisticated woody notes such as sandalwood and patchouli to give the fragrance a contemporary edge. What was the thought behind naming …

Calvin Klein Beauty Launch

I attended the launch event for the new Calvin Klein fragrance called Beauty. This was an interesting event because two people heavily involved in the development of the fragrance were in attendance, Perfumer Sophie Labbe and Senior Manager Global Marketing Stephanie Schwab. Both women talked about their involvement in the fragrance from the creation of the packaging and advertising, to the actual scent itself. I managed to get a bit of Sophie Labbe talking about Beauty. Beauty is a floral scent with it’s main influence being the Calla Lily. Top notes are Fresh Notes and Jasmine. Middle notes are Lily, White Flowers and Spicy Notes. Base notes are Cedar and Ambrette. It’s a nice light fragrance but not something I gravitate to. The event also had a photo exhibition that interpreted the beauty of the Call Lily through the eyes of five female photographers: Caitlin Cronenberg, Davida Nemeroff, Jody Rogac, Karen Roze and Natasha V. There is also big advertising campaign with Diane Kruger for Beauty but I’m not that concerned so I haven’t linked …

NADA Fragrance by Aromachology

Anna dello Russo wasn’t the only one launching a fragrance. Toronto based NADA used a dancing flash mob to let get the word out about her new perfume. Nada partnered with Aromachology to create the NADA fragrance. The NADA fragrance has a spicy, oriental-musk undertone of honeysuckle, ginger and saffron, and finishes with seductive top notes of lotus flower, amber and jasmine. “I was really inspired by the fluid movement of our flowing fabrics and the seductive air of our new fragrance — dance is a natural pairing of the two. So we worked with the Ryerson Dance Program, to create something really interesting,” says Nada Shepherd, Creative Director and founder of the self-named women’s wear label. “The NADA signature fragrance is for women who are looking for something a little edgy, a little interesting, and a flash mob builds into an amazingly exciting personal experience, just like our fragrance. It’s dark and sexy just like the music and movement our choreographer Missy Morris put together” says Shepherd. Morris hand-selected a group of over 60 …

Anna dello Russo in Fragrance

When Anna dello Russo’s people, Anna Dello Russo Factory, email you about her new fragrance you step up and listen. I’m a huge Anna fan. She has a closet I would die for but she has fun and loves fashion. Most importantly Anna doesn’t take herself very seriously and she’s always smiling. She is a great representation of all the things I love about fashion. ANNA DELLO RUSSO, the fragrance, is a delectable and sophisticated scent that calls to mind the sensory pleasures of sweet treats and primary sensations. The essence of vanilla mixed with almond creates a scent inspired by the memories and the flavors of childhood— the wholesome smell of warm cookies coming from Grandma’s kitchen on Christmas Eve. Anna Dello Russo, the fragrance, is a tactile perception; a smell to touch. “You smell so good that I want to eat you, they will tell you,” she says. Firmenich was brought in to help make this perfume a reality. The golden, slipper shaped bottle is typical Anna but I’m not a fan of …

TIFF 2010 – Aromachology

I have meant to stop by Aromachology but our timing has been off. Aromachology is a personalized perfume shop that allows the customer to create their own special scent. They also have candles that make great gifts.  The idea of creating my own personal scent is very appealing and daunting. I like so many things and trying to put myself in one box is never going to work. I look at my fragrance collection and it’s all over the place, women’s, men’s, floral, oriental or musky.  Aromachology had a pop up store at the Four Seasons during  TIFF and I stopped by to check it out. Basically there are 5 base scents to choose from: Sophisticated & Sensual Floral, a Totally Edible Gourmand, an Exotic Spicy Oriental, a Clean & Fresh or a Bold & Brisk Woodsy. Then you make a choice between 15 top notes to add to the base: Creative – Juniper Berry and Carnation; Inspiring – Orange and Lemon; Spontaneous – Tuberose and Citrus; Graceful – Jasmine and Egyptian Musk; Courageous – …

Sanrio 50th Anniversary – Sanrio x Demeter

Sanrio 50th Anniversary – Sanrio x Demeter Fragrance Library

Sanrio and Demeter teamed up to create signature fragrances for various characters. The Sanrio Demeter Fragrance Library will initially feature scents from Hello Kitty, My Melody and Little Twin Stars. More scents are planned for the future including a scent inspired by the Sanrio Boutique. It seems like Sanrio gum and scented erasers. You can purchase the fragrances online at DemeterFragrance.com, urbanoutfitters.com (Hello Kitty, My Melody, Little Twin Stars) and Sanrio Boutiques. As a “thank you” to their ever-loyal fans, SANRIO plans to unveil special co-branded collections, starting this summer with SANRIO x Dr. Martens. Signature Dr. Martens 8-eye boots & mary jane strap shoes will be bestowed a trademark Hello Kitty bow for this limited edition collection. Collaborations with a diverse group of brands including Brunswick, Girl Skateboard Co., Aerial7, Lomography, Demeter Fragrance, Mimobots, and Build-A-Bear Workshop will launch a plethora of amazing products at retail partners worldwide, featuring an assortment of SANRIO characters. A benchmark of SANRIO’s 50th Anniversary will include iconic characters appearing together for the first time ever (outside of SANRIO’s …

Comme des Garçons - Wonderwood, A short film by the Brothers Quay

Comme des Gar̤ons РWonderwood, A short film by the Brothers Quay

Comme des Garçons is releasing a new fragrance called Wonderwood. To launch the product, The Brothers Quay were enlisted to create a short stop motion film. The scent is made up of three different types of woods, Oud, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Cypress wood and Gaiac wood. Woody notes: Patchouli, vetyver and synthetic woods: Javanol, Cashmeran and Pachminol.(source)

(untitled) by Maison Martin Margiela

(untitled) by Maison Martin Margiela – Video

Previously I posted about the newly release fragrance called (untitled) by Maison Martin Margiela. The scent is, as Martin wished, a ‘green flash’ – an olfactory equivalent and translation of the blank canvas and cleansing visual signature ‘white’ of Margiela. It is at once, clean, fresh and astringent, eschewing the floral hallmarks of contemporary perfumes and harking back to 1970’s trends, such as Chanel’s Nº19 There is now a short video created for the fragrance. (untitled) scents * Top Notes: Galbanum essence, Box green, Bitter orange blossom absolute * Middle Notes: Lentiscus resinoid, Jasmine, Galbanum resinoid * Base notes: Musk, Cedar, Incense resinoid The blog Coute Que Coute has an interesting post about his adventures at MMM HQ for the launch of (untitled).

Only The Brave Ironman Limited Edition Fragrance for Men

Only The Brave Ironman Limited Edition Fragrance for Men

Wow, this Only The Brave Ironman Limited Edition Fragrance by Diesel is a strange movie tie in for me. To celebrate the world and folklore around the Marvel character Ironman, Diesel has created a limited edition Ironman version of it’s Only the Brave men’s fragrance. Appealing to the comic book geek Diesel? Planet Perfume is decidedly glum and gloomy this spring 2010. Who can save it from boredom? Only a genuine, full-blooded hero! IRONMAN has come knocking on Diesel’s door, or is it the other way round? To celebrate the release of IRONMAN2, Diesel pays tribute to the original comic book creation. The indestructible superhero has lent his famous iron glove to a limited edition of the ONLY THE BRAVE fragrance. The Only The Brave fragrance will be launched in June 2010 to coincide with the Ironman 2 movie release. Featuring the highly original ONLY THE BRAVE fragrance. As much an attitude as a perfume, the fragrance embodies above all self-affirmation.  A fusion of plant and animal kingdoms, it blends leather, styrax and labdanum. Lemon …

D&G Anthology L`Amoureaux 6 Fragrance

geekiviews: D&G Anthology L`Amoureaux 6 Fragrance

I’m not a loyalist when it comes to fragrances.  I went from not wearing anything to having a whole collection (Thank you gift bags).  I don’t stick to one scent like some people.  I like the variety and the options I can play with.  Right now I find myself wearing the D&G Anthology L`Amoureaux 6 fragrance a lot. Dolce & Gabbana presents five perfumes of their collection The D&G Anthology, which arrives on the market in September 2009. Two other fragrances will join the collection next year.   The collection The D&G Anthology was inspired by tarot cards and their marks. The fragrances of this collection were named: Le Bateleur 1 (Tyson Ballou), L’Imperatrice 3 (Naomi Campbell), L’Amoureaux 6 (Noah Mills), La Roue de la Fortune 10 (Eva Herzigova and Fernando Fernandes), La Lune 18 (Claudia Schiffer).(source) L’Amoureaux 6 has fragrance signatures of spices, juniper berries, bergamot, pink pepper, cardamom, birch leaf, iris root, wood and musk. Since the model is Noah Mills (Hot!), I’m assuming the fragrance is more masculine. I can see it …

(untitled) by Maison Martin Margiela

(untitled) is the first perfume by Maison Martin Margiela which was three years in the making. The scent itself doesn’t appeal to me but I’m very interested in its presentation. The scent is, as Martin wished, a ‘green flash’ – an olfactory equivalent and translation of the blank canvas and cleansing visual signature ‘white’ of Margiela. It is at once, clean, fresh and astringent, eschewing the floral hallmarks of contemporary perfumes and harking back to 1970’s trends, such as Chanel’s Nº19. The final chosen scent for (untitled) was selected by Martin himself, and went directly into production by L’Oreal (without market testing) after only three samples were created at Givaudan by Perfumer Daniela Andrier, who muses: “I know that perfume must not follow a fashion or a trend, but an instinct. This first perfume expresses a femininity which does not fit into formal categories. I am grateful to Maison Martin Margiela for whispering the formula for this perfume into my ear.” I love the idea of a scent with cedar in it, but musky perfumes …

Ask a Geek: Confused by perfume terms. Here are some references to check out.

Okay, this isn’t a true Ask a Geek post but I thought it could be helpful. I couldn’t find the words to describe Flora by Gucci for my last geekiviews post. I didn’t know the language of perfumes and needed to find out. I found a few links and thought I would share. Basenotes – independent online guide to fragrances, with news and reviews PerfumeCritic – online magazine dedicated to fragrances Perfume Glossary from Now Smell This – glossary of terms. Check out the other pages on this site also. Glossary of Perfume Terms from Go Go Perfume – glossary of terms. General info on hard to grasp perfume terms and other trivia from perfumeshrine.fortunecity.com If you any readers have your own great perfume website, please leave a comment.

geekiviews: Flora by Gucci

I received the Flora by Gucci Eau du Toilette in a swag bag from an event. I can’t remember which one (If any friends out there remember what event, please comment!). I like floral based perfumes, so I thought I would give it a shot. Turns out I like it. It’s sweet smelling; a mixture of fruit and flowers at first. It finishes with a heavy base. I don’t normally like patchouli but it works for me in this combination. It’s a girl’s fragrance and nowhere near the androgynous zone. It’s very strong and you have to remember that when applying. I do find myself reaching for this perfume a lot in the morning. Flora’s olfactory pyramid is composed around the floral theme, with top notes of citrus and peony, a heart of rose and osmanthus — a Chinese flower with a distinct floral fruit and leather aroma — and sandalwood and patchouli on the base. Giannini and the P&G fragrance team developed the scent with Firmenich. This is Gucci’s second perfume geared to the …

geekiviews: Vera Wang Look

I went to the launch of Vera Wang’s new perfume, Look. It was sponsored by Fashion Magazine and held at Panorama. It was a fun event and I spent time with friends and enjoyed the view. That’s me in the picture at the bar. Yup, the mustard tights. Love them! The skirt was a present from the owner of Print Vintage. It was originally a halter top dress that was unwearable. She couldn’t sell it and gave it to me one day when I was buying a dress. I got my handy sewing friend Danielle (finalfashion.ca) to turn it into a skirt. It’s pretty kick ass. There was a large ice sculpture display for the launch to show off the glass prism characteristics of the bottle. The ad campaign doesn’t bother me and that’s a very rare thing for perfume. Coty developed the fragrance. I’m by no means a perfume expert so I’ll let them describe it for you: Look was created in cooperation with Firmenich. It introduces notes of mandarin, watery greens, litchi and …