Author Michael Edwards will release the 2009 edition of his yearly Fragrances of the World, known as "the fragrance bible", in January. The guidebook celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2009.
The new edition lists over 6500 fragrances (around 800 more than the 2008 edition) classified by fragrance family. It is used by numerous retailers to help customers find fragrances they might like based on the scent(s) they already know and enjoy.
Fragrances of the World 2009 can be ordered directly from fragrancesoftheworld and is $185; if you order before December 15, you get a 10% discount. (found via moodiereport)
See also: review of Michael Edwards' Perfume Legends.
Do you think it's worth buying, Robin? I'm in love with fragrance and wish I knew more about the niche lines that are hard to come by here in Canada.
You know, it really depends on what you're after. It's basically made up of lists of perfumes by fragrance family — no detailed information on each perfume, or anything like that, although there are explanations on what each “family” is all about. It's indispensable if you need that information, but if you don't…in other words, it's wonderful for what it is (in fact, there is no other source) but I've never seen the need to own it.
You know, I would love to have this volume. I would love to have a subscription to the online database…sigh**…I just love memorizing things, reference materials, learning about perfumes, etc….
I make due with the following website called 'Perfume Intelligence', which is a great resource, and must have been a lot of work! It takes just a minute to figure out how to navigate, but it's a lot of fun.
http://www.perfumeintelligence.co.uk/library/index.htm
You can get a lot of info from it along with the other freely available blogs like Basenotes, etc.
Perfumes, the Guide, has just released their winter 2008 newsletter with about 124 new reviews and it only cost $9.99, think I'll stick with that and review sites 🙂
What fragrance is that on the bottom of the book? I loved the bottle!
Thanks, Robin. That helps. That settles it, too; I don't need to know where a particular fragrance fits in terms of “family” because, besides not working in retail where that info might come in handy, I myself don't really fall in love with things from just one or two or even three families. I'm all over the place that way. Too, by the time I'm interested in a fragrance, it's because it's already on my radar because of stuff I've read about it, so I already know what basic family it's from. Wheee!! One hundred eighty five US dollars freed up to spend on the juice itself!!!!!!!!!
Isn't it nice to save money? Of course, you NEED to own ME's Perfume Legends…
Ah, I'd love to have a subscription to the online database too…that has all kinds of info not found in the book.
Henrique, it is a vintage Guerlain bottle that was used for a perfume called Coq d'or, beautiful, isn't it?
I'm tempted to suggest my local library pick it up as a “pop culture/arts” database, just so I can get my hands on it!!
As an aside, those people who really want to see the print volume may be able to find it at their local libraries, as it is actually a reference manual. (A number of libraries in the USA have The Guide in their collections as well.)
Works for me!
I'm trying to build a comprehensive fragrance library, hopefully to pass on to my daughter, so I will be buying this one! To me, it' s money well-spent & it can keep Perfume Legends company on the shelf. I just love flipping through fragrance books and drooling at the beautiful bottles…
It is M&M Prestige bottle from L'Artisan Parfumeur! What a gorgeous bottle!
I have owned a few copies of this through the years but I cringe at the price so what I do is keep an eye out on ebay and when people are selling their old copy, I jump on it. Yes, this means that I don't have the latest scents in the book but basically, I am still too busy with fragrances released before this year so I don't really care.
I would also reccomend the fragrance foundation's site as this has an online version of this book and is updated regularly.
http://www.fragrance.org/
Sorry, I thought Henrique was asking about the bottle on Perfume, the Guide.
Yes, that's a very helpful site.
Yes, they do come up on eBay from time to time — worth keeping an automatic search there if you want a copy.
Ooohh our department should be getting this in shortly, I imagine.
Enjoy!
I just found out that Michael Edwards teamed up with MarieClaire.com. Looks like there’s a lot of info about choosing the right perfume for you etc…
http://www.marieclaire.com/fragrance-finder/
Yes, I think it’s a general deal with Hearst Publications, if I remember correctly.