The last post of our eight-part series on fragrance related holiday gifts is the crazy expensive luxury edition. Items are listed in order from holy-cow-you’ve-got-to-be-kidding to maybe-I-could-sell-a-body-part. Do add any of your own recommendations in the comments!
From House of Sillage, the Vêtu De Grandeur Parfum Limited Edition Snow Globe: "Vêtu De Grandeur by House of Sillage imparts a light but oh-so-memorable moment with notes of addictive Neroli Petals, delectable, rich Orange Blossom and fresh Haitian Vetivert. Be dressed in grandeur for the most magical time of the year." $895 at Bloomingdales.
From Rouge Bunny Rouge, the new Arcane solid perfume: "The first PROVENANCE TALES masterpiece to be launched as Concrète de Parfum in pure perfume concentration, 'Arcane' is presented in a luxuriant crystal bottle... To extract the desired amount of Concrète de Parfum, a delicate crystal wand is enclosed, creating a very special fragrant ritual just for you." Notes for the woody oriental include saffron, spices, vanilla, incense, cistus, amber, sandalwood, cedar, patchouli and musk. $950.
From Memo, the Italian Leather Orient Express gift set: ("Italy is a place for stargazers, and Memo is a fragrance where you can keep your dreams alive"), with 75 ml Italian Leather Eau De Parfum, a pack of postcards, a leather and 24 carat purse spray plus 10 ml travel refills in Irish Leather, Italian Leather, French Leather, African Leather and Russian Leather. $1080.
From Giorgio Armani, a limited edition gift set with Nacre and Nuances: "This set includes two rare Prive fragrances, Nacre and Nuances. Nacre, a blend of musky notes with wood, has a unique mother-of-pearl plate sign bearing the fragrance's name. Nuances, a vision of nature, is inspired by the juxtapositions of color and light." $1200 at Neiman Marcus.
From Maison Francis Kurkdjian, À la rose in 70 ml Extrait de Parfum: "The Extrait de parfum is the most precious type of olfactory composition and the richest in natural extracts. In this new creation, À la rose features four thousand roses from Grasse and Bulgaria, iris absolute from Florence and a whisper of eastern red cedar. The Extrait de parfum is hosted in a precious box-set showcasing all the art of handmade, and some of the rarest and finest French craftsmanship. The bottle is engraved by hand with a beautiful gold decor and enhanced with a delicate silk thread." $1500 at Bergdorf Goodman.
From Lalique, the 2017 crystal edition of Lalique de Lalique, inspired by the brand's Bacchantes vase from 1927. 100 ml Parfum for $1800.
From Viktor Rolf, the 2016 Flowerbomb + Swarovski crystal extravaganza: "Indulge in the addictive scent of Flowerbomb, an explosion of the most luxurious and alluring flowers. Encrusted with exquisite Swarovski® crystals, this limited edition bottle sparkles as magnificently as the fragrance captured inside. Only 25 pieces exist in the world". $2,500 for 50 ml at Neiman Marcus.
From Bond no. 9, the Dubai Treasure Chest, "a sumptuous three-tier midnight blue velvet jewel box, fitted with each of the 9 Dubai eaux de parfum". In 100 ml each, $4500.
From Christian Dior, J'Adore in an Exceptional Edition created by Victoire de Castellane, Creative Director of Dior Joaillerie: "Set with diamonds, it lightly and delicately caresses the flacon’s neck, heightening its sensuality and femininity. “When one sees a bow, one imagines a physical act. Untying a bow is like undressing. And appropriating the object the bow was fastening,” the designer explains. The Baccarat crystal flacon, with its curves and transparency, melds perfume and metal in a play of color and light. Victoire de Castellane adds: “In my work you always find this idea of eternity that comes from capturing movement when it's at its most beautiful”. As a result, the J’adore amphora becomes a rare and precious jewel, with only five in existence in the entire world." Cost: they're not saying.
From Guerlain, the Four Seasons: "Guerlain presents a collection of four eaux de parfum inspired by the four seasons. Created by Master Perfumer Thierry Wasser and embellished by textile designer and fabric artisan Janaïna Milheiro, each fragrance encapsulates one of the seasons. A limited edition of just 20 signed and numbered bottles has been crafted for each season." They are reportedly €16,000 each for 490 ml (about $16,700). (Before you decide, you might want to read the review at Monsieur Guerlain.)
When I saw the snow globe, my first thought was “Oh, that’s cute!” Funny how my impression quickly went to “I could get something similar in a tourist shop” when I saw the price!
And thank goodness it’s a snow day! The J’Adore ad copy makes me uncomfortable–NSFW!
Finally, OF COURSE, the only one that appeals to me is the Guerlain set at such a reasonable price. Life’s hard when you have expensive taste!
I am lucky — there is nothing here I’m absolutely dying to have, and possibly least of all the Guerlains, which sound like expensive versions of Aqua Allegorias.
Agreed–sounds like the fragrances are fine but not fantastic. But that set sure would look pretty on a dressing table!
I guess. I just don’t adore them — if I ever saw them in person I think I’d just laugh, knowing what they cost.
If I was going to spend too much on a Guerlain, I’d rather have one of the 650 euros Colour Collection Flacon Quadrilobé
https://nstperfume.com/2016/06/03/bunch-o-limited-edition-collector-bottles-some-other-stuff-2016-part-7/
I rather like the look of the Adore bottle. It’s the caps to those Guerlain ones that have me side-eyeing. I don’t know if it’s the lighting or what but they look particularly phallic – even more so than usual because that’s the general cap look.
Ha! I didn’t notice, but now you mention it! At least it’s not a “physical act. . . like undressing!”
Haha – didn’t notice at first but now can’t unsee
I am speechless…..
(the Guerlain would be nice however if I won lotto!)
Ok, if I won lotto maybe I’d buy the Lalique.
That is the one I would get. My great aunt had one of the small Bacchantes vases. They are really lovely up close.
I’ll take the Armani, please Santa.
I’m sure you’re been good this year
That’s the one I want too.
That Lalique bottle just stole my heart. Astoundingly gorgeous, no matter that I am clueless regarding the scent contained within…I WANT it????????????
Plus, gorgeous bud vase when you’re done with it.
Small Lalique Bacchantes vases start at “just” 1200, although they aren’t offering that lovely pink color. Since I’m likewise clueless about the scent, maybe I’ll redirect my longing toward something more achievable!
This one isn’t pink either, it’s just filled with pink juice! So you could achieve that with a vase.
The Memo set actually seems like good value for money,if you take a look at what you get,and then look at the others.Although,that Lalique bottle—–SWOON!!!!!
Agree — and pretty sure Memo did those sets for each of the leathers (in other words, the 75 ml bottle doesn’t have to be the Italian).
That is nice.If I was a bigger leather-lover…????
As a leather lover, I find the Memo set the most tempting and almost “cheap”.
Especially since you get a package of postcards with it.
If robbers were perfumistas…wouldn’t it be a daunting task to quickly choose, and then grab and go without breaking the precious bottles?
Yes!
$2,500 for Flowerbomb in a bedazzled bottle? *insert raised eyebrow*
The MEMO set looks nice, actually. I like the purse spray in that beautiful blue and gold.
Oh, why stop at a raised eyebrow? Go ahead and giggle. The luxury post makes me LOL every year.
Yes! If I were going to spend $2500 on a special bottle of perfume, it would not be Flowerbomb. I wonder if they sell any?
Don’t forget the Baccarat bottle of Patou’s Joy in extrait, just $1800 at N-M!
And it smells better than anything here!
The only one that appeals to me is the snow globe, but not at that price. Fortunately, to fill my need for perfume novelty packaging, I have one of the vintage Lucien Lelong music box perfume bottles that I won in an eBay auction for ~$100. An elegantly dressed couple dances around when you wind it up, and it came with nearly its entire original content of 8 ounces of Tailspin.
Oh, nice buy!
None of the above. IF (and a huge ‘if’ it is) I ever won a lottery, I’d rather spend any perfume-allocated money on a bottle of vintage Guerlain Djedi (if it could even be found). Or maybe their Cuir de Russie…
You might have to fight me for that Djedi. I have a tiny sample of the vintage extrait, and it is amazing.
Oh, I’d buy you one too!
Ha, if you win the lottery we will all get in line!
Wouldn’t that be fun!? I’d love being a perfume Santa Claus!
Silly Dior! How am I supposed to fit it into my theoretical perfume budget if I don’t know the price? If money were no object, I would buy the Gierlain set for decoration.
I think the idea is that if you have to budget, you can’t have one
Ha! That is true!
I felt a bit guilty for splurging in the Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s scented bubble set last week. Thanks for making that look like a rational el cheapo purchase:)