New York-based clothing retailer Odin New York has launched 11 Semma, a new unisex fragrance…
Atelier Cologne Silver Iris ~ fragrance review
Sometimes I think iris perfumes should come with rootiness scales, with ten being “Smells like a head of dirty hair” and one being “You mean there’s iris in here? I thought that was grape juice.” Perhaps perfume houses could post labels along the line of “This fragrance rates a 9 for rootiness” (Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist) or “This fragrance registers 2.5 on a 10 turnip scale” (Frédéric Malle Iris Poudre). With this scale and information about the fragrance’s fruit, powder, cream, and earth, the iris lover would be able to quickly zero in on a few to sample from the growing number of iris soliflores on the market.
On the rootiness scale, I would give Atelier Cologne Silver Iris a solid 6, making it a good bet for most fans of iris perfumes and a terrific introduction for the iris newbie. Silver Iris’s rootiness is present but never veers toward the odor of composting carrots. That said, the iris aficionado might find his or her attention wandering before long…
The Monday Mail ~ help Sophie find a new perfume
The waiting list for the Monday Mail is down to 2 people — if you’ve ever though you’d like to participate, now is a good time to sign up!
Today we’re helping Sophie, who is looking for two fragrances that may or may not overlap: a Holy Grail scent, and a fragrance appropriate for an academic/office workplace. Sophie has fairly good access to perfume stores of all kinds, and she’s more than happy to buy samples online. She can pay up to $150 for a fragrance, but she’s also happy to purchase decants so price is not too much of a factor, although Amouage attars and the like are out of the question. Here is what we know about Sophie:
She’s a graduate student in her late 20s, studying sustainability and landscape ecology.
She has spent most of her life in big cities — NYC, Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, Milan, Paris, LA.
Sophie loves exploring cultures via literature, music, cuisine, art.
Her Asian heritage plays a big part in who she is.
She wears a lot of black.
Sophie likes iris, osmanthus, plum, peach, amber, honey, woods, violet, tea, green notes, spices, and jasmine in a supporting role. She likes the scents of ginger and incense in real life, but hasn’t smelled them in perfume…
The most beautiful love story ever
Actress Penélope Cruz, in a new commercial for Lancôme Trésor. Directed by Rob Marshall. You can see her 2010 Trésor commercial here.
Below the jump, the ‘behind the scenes’.
Online fragrance shopping
New at escentual (UK): Crabtree & Evelyn Heritage Collection.
New at first-in-fragrance (DE): Histoires de Parfums 1899, Micallef Mon Parfum, Jardins d'Ecrivains Orlando.