Numerous times over the past couple years, readers have emailed or commented to tell me that Donna Karan had discontinued Black Cashmere (and for anyone who missed the news yesterday, it is, in fact, a goner). How did they know? A sales associate told them.
I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been told by a sales associate that something was discontinued when it wasn’t…
For me, vintage perfume is both a dream and a nightmare. On one hand, smelling a scent that isn’t made any more feels gloriously forbidden, like tricking time. The old packaging can be gorgeous, too. On the other hand, vintage fragrances can be hard to find, expensive if you do find them, and heartbreaking when they run out. No one said love was easy.
Fortunately, if you know where to look, vintage perfume is out there and for a decent — sometimes ridiculously low — price. Here’s what I’ve learned so far about finding vintage perfume. If you have any tips to share, please comment…
A favorite parlour game among perfumistas is to list the discontinued fragrances they’d most like to see brought back from the dead. Coty Chypre and Shiseido Nombre Noir often top such lists, and while either would warm my heart, let’s face it, neither would make a killing on the department store shelves. Coty really ought to bring back Chypre, even if only for the prestige factor, but they’re never going to sell a gazillion bottles of Chypre no matter what. And I don’t think we need hold our breath waiting for Nombre Noir.*
Your challenge: think of a perfume that you’d love to see reissued AND that you think could sell if it was marketed properly.
I have two picks:
Fendi Theorema ~ first off, it’s just wonderful stuff. It doesn’t fit neatly into any current trends in fragrance, but nor does it smell dated, and there isn’t anything esoteric about it. Its elegant, comforting, and perfectly easy to wear. Almost everyone I’ve ever talked into trying it has loved it…
Comme des Garçons has discontinued the Sweet series. (via luckyscent)