But after tracking down the name of an ancestor inscribed on a childhood storybook, he found he was related to the perfume empire founded by John Grossmith in 1835. Now he is relaunching the company with the original scents, selling them through Harrods, Fortnum & Mason and Les Senteurs.
— From Revived: perfume range worn by Queen Victoria at the London Evening Standard.
An alternative to perfumes from celebrities is certainly a good starting point! Looking forward to these.
I am cynical, as always.
Do you think this is a load of crap? That was one of my thoughts. But it does sound like maybe they won’t be terrible. Maybe?
Oh, they could be wonderful! But not all of these “raised from the dead” perfume lines have been.
Does anyone know the name of this new line? Is it going to be called Grossmith?
I assume so, but not sure.
Robin- I am in complete unison with you on that. I have heard it all before only to be disappointed.
Yep.
I never quite believe the stories about finding cobwebbed books of ancient formulae, but I’d like to believe/hope/delude myself that Roja Dove will keep this guy on the straight and narrow. Although I’m getting visions of them “updating” the originals with marshmallow etc. and calling it “Vicky”… and the flanker, “Vicky Rocks!”
LOL…we can only pray for Vicky Rocks! I would buy that, I swear.
My first thought: ANOTHER PERFUME LINE? Who is funding these things? Dx
Exactly what I want to know. How many of these brands are making money, and how many lose their shirt.
There should be a 2-year waiting list before new lines can come out.
I’m kidding of course but this over-saturation is just ridiculous!
I’d vote for that!
‘Mr Brooke added that he wanted the scents to provide a traditional alternative to perfumes from celebrities.’
Well, we know what he means, but Queen Victoria was a celebrity of a sort, no? It depends on which bit of her reign you pick, I guess. I’d love to know what scent QV would have worn. Did she bother after Alfred died I wonder? Maybe she commissioned a special ‘mourning black’ fragrance, scented with tears … dust … ashes … Imagine the ad copy!
I really think I would like QV’s mourning perfume as you describe it!
That would be fun!
new to the smells, read all comments and wonder how do they know. where to start
I have know clue but dying to try it
Sorry, I’m confused…how does who know where to start what?
I’m looking forward to trying them. I’ll go to Les Senteurs and see if I can’t blag a sample of each. I recall my mother getting a gift of Phul Nana from one of her relatives years ago and I can just about recall the smell, so I hope the new versions chime with my perfume memories.
I guess Queen Victoria was keen on Grossmith’s Lavender Water. I wouldn’t mind trying their White Fire if they recreate it. I recall buying my mother a Christmas present when I was 7 years old, but forsook the White Fire for Max Factor’s Primitif (you might recall those black cats with bright coloured glass eyes)
Let us know if you get to try them!
Hi everyone – interested to read your comments.. I can really reassure you that the three Grossmith London fragrances are as close to the originals as possible – I work with the fragrance house that recreated the three fragrances from the originals.. a process that started in July of 08.
The original formulation books DO exist.. I’ve seen them, and in the case of Phul-Nana we had access to an old, relatively well preserved sample of the perfume. How did we start? by looking at the original formulations, determining what could and could not be used under 21st century health standards, and what the modern equivalent ingredients were. We also where possible analysed the remants at the bottom of original bottles to gain an better understanding.
I can assure you that the three fragrances are as true to the originals as 21st Century safety standards will allow… and believe me, you will get high quality fragrances for your money!
As for Simon keeping his feet on the ground.. after working closely with him for 18 months on this project I can be certain that he is a level headed guy who is adamant to recreate the company as close as possible to the original, and with the greatest respect to Roja Dove.. Simon will not need his help to remain level headed – far from it!
Believe me, the new Grossmith opportunity is not some opportunist back-making chap with nothing better to do with his time!
Thanks for commenting. It really does sound fascinating. Hope you can keep this community informed of progress.
I still don’t believe a word of it.
Stick to your guns, J!
Of course that is your right !! and you may not be the only one who feels that way, but you’ll be wrong in this assertion!
Do a bit of research – google Phul Nana, shem el nessim, hasu no hana.. look up http://www.grossmithlondon.com
it’s not for me to prove the point, but if it was all a sham then the Grossmith fragrances would have been placed in a much more mainstream position to maximise purchase.. that they haven’t should suggest to you that this is a labour of love as opposed to merely a money making opportunity!
Honestly, I can see why people may be cynical, but I’ve lived with this project for 18 months and I can honestly tell you that it isn’t trumped up at all!
I have been lucky enough to get samples of all three Grossmith perfumes. I can honestly say that the Phul Nana closely resembles the version I can recall my great Aunt Nelly (yes, that was her name!) wearing in the late 1950s. No doubt the formula had already been degraded by then. My brief comments on the three are as follows (I should warn you that I’m not an expert on notes, just an enthusiastic perfume buff):
Phul Nana – fresh to begin with, elegant dry down. Easy to wear, but not a girly fragrance. I could easily imagine a man wearing this.
Shem-El-Nessim – rich floral with base notes which remind me of L’Heure Bleu or L’Origan
Hasu-No-Hana – spicy floral
I also have to emphasise that these fragrances are very much ‘of their time’, i.e. they are not modern fragrances. I also feel they are high quality. I would recommend if your curiosity (or cynicism!) is aroused that you try them for yourself. I would certainly invest in a bottle of Phul Nana (or all three if funds permit).
I should also state that I am not employed by Grossmith in any capacity.
Thanks! Look forward to trying them.