Nasreen Rehmat’s tiny Parfumerie Nasreen in Seattle’s Alexis Hotel (“a jewel box,” her website calls it) is stacked floor to ceiling with perfume boxes and glittering display bottles. Nasreen’s specialty is being able to peg the perfect fragrance for a customer within minutes. For twenty years she has held court in her store, scenting the thousands of visitors who have sidled in and tucked their purses under their arms to avoid knocking a bottle off a nearby shelf.
I called Ms. Rehmat and told her that when I was in college she helped me pick a scent, Dolce & Gabanna, which I wore through my mid-20s. Her voice was animated, with a slight and elegant accent. “Ah!” she said, “You must be very naughty. You are like me. You can wear anything and pull it off.” I’m not sure that “naughty” is the first word people associate with me, but I like the idea.
She said that when she recommends a perfume, she looks at a person, at their clothes and “energy” and takes it from there. “A lawyer, for instance, who is very stuffy and subdued, I would pick something light to lift her up, something with peppermint or watermelon. Perhaps Spring Flowers by Creed, made for Audrey Hepburn, or 1872 for Women by Clive Christian. I wouldn’t choose anything heavy, like Shalimar or Amouage.” She added that someone who is “thin and quiet and mousy needs something soft and airy” to bring her out. Conversely, she said, someone like her, with a lot of energy and substance — she hinted that her size 6 days were behind her — can wear a rich scent, like Clive Christian’s X or Amouage Dia.
And age? “I would never wear something like Island Kiss by Escada — that’s for 16 or 17-year old girls. It is too fruity and juicy for a woman.” Occasions? Fleurissimo for weddings, she says firmly. How about hair color? “Well, of course, redheads are wild…” That would explain the Dolce & Gabanna, I think as I pat my auburn tresses. More information about Parfumerie Nasreen can be found on their website.
Note: image via CouleurParfum.
What a riot! If I am ever in Seattle I'll be sure to visit!
Oh yes, it's definitely worth visiting. It's right near the Pike Place Market, too, where I worked in the info booth in college and a great place to visit.
Ah…the stories I could tell about Nasreen!!!!!!!! Let me just add this Angela: if anyone entering her shop is aided by Nasreen herself…DO plan on buying a bottle of SOMEthing…she is a force to be reckoned with. I'd say Joan Crawford crossed with Donald Trump would be the type who could NOT be dominated by Nasreen. HA! K
Hilarious! I wish I could have taped my phone conversation with her and played it instead of writing up the interview. She gave me five compact minutes of time, but loaded chockfull of proclamations, funny asides, and almost cosmic commentary about “energy” and perfume. I loved it.
I visited Parfumerie Nasreen many years ago. Nasreen must have been away that day because the SA was very mellow. I must go again. I'm curious what she will recommend!
Yes, do go, it's fun. I find it a little scary to see what people will recommend for me, though. What if they pick something old lady-ish? Or just boring? Sometimes it's nice to live under your own delusions.
Gee, my DH and I went to Parfumerie Nasreen last month and were completely put off. She sprayed me a couple of scents which I hated and then ignored me to fawn on another customer. I certainly won't go back. I much prefer Essenza in Fremont!
That's too bad about your experience. I'm writing down Essenza, though, to try next time I'm in Seattle. What lines do they carry?
L'Artisan, Diptyque, Fresh, Santa Maria Novella, L'Occitane, Serge Lutens, Acca Kappa, Frank Los Angeles, Parfums DelRae, and a few others. They also do some makeup, jewelry and nightgowns/robes. I like them.
I'm there!
Both times I've been to Parfumerie Nasreen, the SA has been quite young and borderline clueless about fragrance, so I guess I missed out on the Nasreen experience. Nevertheless, I agree with Twibbet that when it comes to sniffing in Seattle, Essenza is where it's at. They also carry Carthusia, Miller et Bertaux, Cote Bastide, and Speziali Fiorentini.
Angela,
what a great little vignette. I love this because I have heard about Nasreen for years but never had the pleasure of going to see her yet myself. Did she pick a new scent for you through this interview?
I definitely need to visit Essenza, thank you.
Thank you! Nasreen is an experience, although it's sounding like she's not always there. She didn't pick a scent for me, but she encouraged me to visit. I fear, though, that I won't live up to be the vixen she thinks I am.
““I would never wear something like Island Kiss by Escada — that’s for 16 or 17-year old girls. It is too fruity and juicy for a woman.”” Hee! Aw, I love her. I do love that she intoned to you that you were “naughty.” What fun! I've never been there, but whenever I get a chance to head to Seattle her shop is definitely on my must-visit list.
The only drawback to being thought “naughty” is that if she sees me in person and recommends an uptight fragrance, I'll be so disappointed! Also, I still have a couple of bottle of Fath set aside for you…
There is a great little perfume boutique at Pier 55 on Alaskan Way in Seattle called BayPerfume You really should check it out
i was looking for a fragrance that has been discontinued. the fragrance is made up of: gardenia, rose and jasmine., blended with patchouli, chamomile and orange flower.
it was Giorgio Beverly Hills for Men.
Is there a similar fragrance made now?
I haven't smelled Giorgio for Men, so I don't know what fragrances might be similar. But have you tried searching for it online? Often online discounters sell discontinued scents, and at a good price, too. Good luck!
Nasreen is a riot! Love her! I visited her last week while in Seattle on vacation: she took one look at me and said, “You're so young and innocent! You need something light, something almost virginal.” Then she peered around at me and muttered, “It's nice to pretend, isn't it?”
As it turned out, a lot of the “virginal” scents just weren't for me (I like funkier stuff), so she pegged me as someone who just doesn't like to do what she's told (which isn't far off the mark either). Instead, she helped me find frags with incense in them, which I like, and was lovely, gracious, and hilarious throughout the process.
She isn't there a whole lot, I had to call to make sure she was in before I visited, but oh MAN is she worth a visit!
She's definitely the best part of the experience. I'm glad you got to meet her! I hope you found a couple of good perfumes, too.