German niche brand Frau Tonis Parfum has launched Bogota Berlin, a new fragrance paying tribute to the recently closed Hotel Bogota ("Berlin’s answer to New York’s Chelsea Hotel"). Also new from Frau Tonis for 2014: Notre Temps, Grasse à toi and Galimar.
18 Bogota Berlin (shown) ~ "Fruity fig and bergamot are paired with peppery cedar wood and spicy vetiver in this wonderfully fresh and earthy fragrance. Though radiantly resinous at heart, this perfume’s warm balsamic notes linger on as a loving embrace."
06 Notre Temps ~ "This elegant scent gracefully combines a full-bodied rose with warm and spicy sandal wood, vetiver. Fresh and tangy bergamot lend this fragrance its contemporary air of sophistication." Additional notes include jasmine and ylang ylang.
14 Grasse à toi ~ "A wonderfully lush autumnal scent: jasmine, peach and iris take center stage in this spectacular floral firework. Sumptuous precious woods and fruity cider notes round off this wonderfully warm cornucopia of late summer flavors." Additional notes include ylang ylang, lily of the valley and vanilla.
16 Galimar ~ "A silky smooth floral embrace of iris and rose paired with the aromatic warmth of cinnamon, musk and vanilla. The subtle freshness of lemon and orange round off this wonderfully seductive scent."
Frau Tonis Parfum Bogota Berlin, Notre Temps, Grasse à toi and Galimar are available in 8, 15, 50 or 100 ml Eau de Parfum; all can be purchased from the Frau Tonis website.
(via press release)
It would be nice if this line were distributed in the USA. I’m so curious about them.
Agree! Been intrigued ever since Kevin reviewed the linden one.
I’ve tried quite a few from Frau Tonis and like them a lot. The problem with nearly all of the ones I’ve tried is poor longevity.
Good to know, thanks! Which was your favorite?
My favourites are Sminta and Habanera. Sminta is a powdery rose and has a vintage vibe to it. If it lasts longer than 2 hours, I would buy it!
Many thanks!
Most of them last no longer than 15 minutes on my skin 🙁
I’m telling you Berlin’s best kept secret here:
Frau Tonis Parfum is connected to “Harry Lehmann”, a perfumer and shop since 1926 in Berlin (allegedly Marlene Dietrich bought her perfume there – violet) and since ever dedicated to create affordable perfumes which you can buy from 10 grams (now due to regulation 10 ml) in unassuming bottles. It’s the same perfume Frau Toni is selling, though Frau Toni has apparently a wider range by now.
The shop itself is a wonder from another world, it’s actually called “Parfum und künstliche Blumen” (perfume and artificial flowers), it’s as kitsch as it gets, but a heaven of scents; not from the artificial flowers obviously. I went there regurlarly while living in Berlin, especially as a penniless student.
The current Herr Lehmann still holds on to the policy not to sell perfume in fancy bottles and to exorbitant prices. He leaves that to Frau Toni… 😉
Buying in the shop you can bring your own bottles, otherwise there is a small charge for normal bottles (2 Euro) or for spray bottles (4 Euro).
They might even send stuff to the USA. On their website it says they send to Europe, other countries on request. Just ask (click on Kontakt). I’m sure someone in the shop speaks English. Most Berliners do.
The website is in German only. But I can translate if anyone is interested. Just let me know.
I live in Ireland now and got recently several perfumes from Harry Lehmann (Eau de Berlin, Linden, Lily of the Valley, Habanera and Violet) by post. No problem at all to get them, though the order procedure is a bit confusing. I might help here as well, if needed.
The website is a bit oldfashioned, too: http://www.parfum-individual.de/PREISEHLf.htm
Scroll down to see the list of perfumes. Most of them you’ll find in English on the website of Frau Toni.
Hi Carry, thanks for that info. I was in Berlin last week and fell in love with Bahia (88). The usual prices are not exorbitant in terms of ‘niche’, but less is always easier! I wouldn’t call the Frau Tonis bottle (pictured) very fancy – but, yes, its fancier than an atomizer, which would do the trick just as well. I won’t be returning to Berlin but will be in Munich for one or two days and may order Orange 41 and/or Valeria 56 in a small size from the site you have linked to. I had tried both of these and later in the day their combined scents were wonderful!
Again, thanks for the tip:)
Regarding lasting power – no.88 does not last well on my skin, but it does stick well to fabric so I spritz my clothes.
None of them last long unfortunately. But since they are cheap you can spritz them more often. I have 100ml bottle of Eau de Berlin which is a fresh unisex eau de cologne. I use it for my linen cupboard and it smells wonderful. Sometimes in summer I cover myself in it…
They are all fun perfumes, really.
I should try Orange and Valeria, sounds an interesting combination, next time I order.
You can get a personalized mixture as well.
Interesting! “A bit oldfashioned” is an understatement though…wow. Wish I had a way to get samples.
Yeah, it’s really very handmade, that website! Probably the grandson did it once as a 9year old and it has never been changed.
I think they don’t do samples, but I’m going to ask them. If they do, I’ll let you know.
If I get my hands on some sample vials (I live in the middle of nowhere) I could send you at least samples from my own “Herr Lehmann collection”: Eau de Berlin, Habanera (tobacco and rum with a touch of Obsession), Linden (reminscent of Annick Goutal’s Eau du Ciel), Lily of the Valley (soliflore) and Violet (not to my taste, smells like violet candies).
Do let me know if they do samples! But guessing even if they did, the overseas shipping would not be worth it.