Upscale San Francisco retailer Gump's will launch Baroque Pearl, a new fragrance for women, this coming April. According to Marta Benson, CEO of Gump’s, "It is not the sweet scent of a 20-something girl, but that of a worldly beauty".
Inspired by the sensual beauty and iridescent luster of this exquisite gem, the luminous floral unfolds in layers, with top notes of exotic bergamot and mandarin giving way to shimmering orange blossom and finishing with creamy sandalwood. Like a pearl, the fragrance thrives on contact with the skin, constantly revealing new dimension and nuance. Decanted in a voluptuous glass bottle with a gold stopper, the eau de parfum nestles in a slate-gray keepsake box that opens with silk cords to reveal a rose-gold interior.
Gump's Baroque Pearl was developed by perfumer Olivier Gillotin in collaboration with Through Smoke Creative, and will be available in 50 ml Eau de Parfum ($98). (via press release)
Do they do a chypre in this line called Forrest Gump?
Ack. Hope not
Love the box.
Me too — they've done a nice job with the packaging.
I love that strand of baroque pearls in the ad, I don't suppose they come with, eh?
Isn't that gorgeous? But no, I suppose not
I want the pearls, too…
“Like a pearl, the fragrance thrives on contact with the skin…” Doesn't skin (acid) contact *destroy* pearls? Not sure I like that comparison…
It sounds like a safe scent but will go just to check out Gumps goodies. They carry a very nice selection of perfumes and candles, like Manuel Canova and D' Porthault. And the jewelry section isn't bad either…..
I think you're right, skin acid, and perfume destroys pearls. I've always heard that pearls are the last item you put on, and the first you remove when you get home?
Do they really, really mean that they are launching a fragrance that is not geared towards “a 20-something girl”? Can it be? Do you believe it? Might be worth a try, just to see how they interpret a “worldly beauty” (code for “customer with laugh lines”).
I'd always heard that the oils in skin help pearls retain their luster, and for that reason they go chalky if you don't wear them. The alcohol in perfume, however, isn't good for pearls, so that's probably why you should put them on last.
Yes, pearls are easily damaged by hair spray, perfume, etc, but there is/was the romantic notion that they respond to the right woman's skin: glow for one woman, go drab for another. Probably has more to do with the relative coloring of one's skin and one's pearls. . .
Pearls are the result of mollusk secretions that includes calcium carbonate, among other minerals (I used to work with mollusks and other sea critters a long time ago ;D). Skin acid mantle secretions coat the pearls and prevent them from drying-out—sort of like oiling marble surfaces. The acidic content of skin excretion is mild enough that it doesn't drastically alter the shape of the pearls, but it does mold them slightly (microscopically), resulting in a more perfect shape. Skin also excretes urea–a form of ammonia, salt and water–that includes chemical components that counteract any acidity that could quickly break down pearl's mineral composition upon contact. As an interesting aside, Sharks are able to keep high levels of urea (a waste substance) in their bodies, as they process water with a high salt content. Part of the reason humans can't process salt water is that our bodies can't contain such high levels of toxic urea while processing it, in addition to the fact that our cells would go into lysis as osmosis draws water out of them at a super-speedy rate. Sharks, chemically speaking, are always on the brink of death. Plus, they must always have water moving through their gills to prevent suffocation (but they don't have to always be swimming!).
Also, pearls are often tied on strands of natural and synthetic fibers and skin oils prevent these fibers from becoming brittle and frayed. It's true that alcohol contact can damage pearls if they, for example, are cleaned with an alcohol based solution, but many fragrances contain enough emollients and oils to protect pearls from breaking down into the mineral dust they could become (an extreme possibility, for this to be the result of regular “wear and tear”
).
So, um, interesting new fragrance release!
Glad I didn't stray from the topic.
There you go — one of my Little Obsessions. I crave the somewhat misshapen pearls. The champagne color, the slightly lumpen shape, visible concentric layers. Did I mention “champagne?” White is fine with me, or cream, or anything similar. Black. PEACOCK. Especially a greenish tint. Mineral dust: it’s all good.
LOL! at the “code” – good one! And it is so refreshing,isn't it? Restores some hope for us oldy but goodies, eh?
Boojum, I will stay out of it since I know zilch about pearls…
This might be quite literally the 1st time anyone has said anything on this website that might interest my son. Thanks for the fascinating background!
I didn't know they carried any perfumes at all. I haven't been to Gump's (or SF) in years.
Yes! Nice to see something not geared towards teens.
The copy says that the stopper is gold. It's a spray nozzle! Where is the bottle's lid for such an expensive presentation? Love the way the box opens. It's reminiscent of bygone perfume presentations. Including the company's initial in the logo is rather contrived and has resulted in an attempt to capture orientalism. Thanks to nlb for the detailed info on pearls.
Uh, I think in this case, it may also be code for “older woman who still has a job, a husband with a job, cash to spend, or an active credit card account.” Maybe the youth spending market has dried up a bit, n'est-ce pas?
The frag does sounds very classy and beautiful.
I'm not about to argue, as I'm no expert myself!
Just had a recollection that one should wipe pearls off before storing them because sweat could discolor and eat away at them, so I thought it was an odd statement. Clearly there is conflicting information on that. Regardless, the packaging is lovely.
I had no idea Gump's had perfume! Another shop to add to the list.
Gump's would be marketing to the more “worldly” set, because there aren't usually people even in the shop younger than about 30.
Seriously doubt the youth market was ever hanging out at Gump's though! Although even when I was young I loved to look at the jewelry.
Gump's has a fabulous perfume & candle section. But not a word is mentioned on their website.
I did notice that the on-line jewelry section has lots of pearls, one pair going for 20 grand! I almost thought they'd made a typo…….
LOL — I'll stick with the perfume
Fascinating! Thanks for posting that!
Has anyone ever tried this one yet? It seems promising but a little on the pricey side.
Linda, it’s nicely done & very pretty but I didn’t fall in love with it…not sure it captured my attention enough to review, but am going to give it at least 2 more tries before I decide.