Frederic Malle Editions de Parfums is one of my favorite perfume houses, and their Musc Ravageur is one of my Top Five perfumes, so of course I felt compelled to buy the matching body products: the Huile à Tout Faire (body oil) and the Lait Parfumé (body milk). Perhaps it is because of the superb standards and quality of the other Editions de Parfums products I've encountered, but I must admit I am somewhat disappointed in the latter product…
Frederic Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire ~ fragrance review
Vétiver Extraordinaire was released by Frederic Malle in 2002. The fragrance was created by nose Dominique Ropion, and includes bergamot, bigarade orange, pink pepper, nutmeg, floralozone (a “fresh air” note), Haitian vetyver, sandalwood, cedarwood, oak moss, myrrh, cashmeran, musketone and tonalide (synthetic musks). It is said to have one of the highest concentrations of vetiver of any fragrance on the market (25%).
It starts with a brief flash of very dry citrus. It is quickly joined by the spice notes, and for a few minutes, it is extremely diffusive, which I assume is the floralozone talking. After that calms, it smells like damp mossy woods and vetiver, and there is almost no point in trying to dissect it further, as it simply smells like the sum of its parts, and if you love vetiver, it smells very wonderful indeed…
Perfume news from Frederic Malle, Nicole Farhi
More on the upcoming Carnal Flower from Frederic Malle: it will have a higher concentration of tuberose than any other fragrance on the market; other notes include bergamot, melon, eucalyptus, ylang-ylang, jasmine, white musk cocktail, coconut, and orange blossom absolute. Frederic Malle also plans to open a boutique in New York City by 2007. (via Women's Wear Daily)
Nicole Farhi, the UK designer who is set to launch her first fragrance line this fall, talks about her long-time devotion to Hermès Bel Ami, and why she prefers her new men's scent over the women's, in the Times Online. Many thanks to Marcello for the link!
Iris fragrances: a few more to consider
With apologies to those who hate iris and so have been bored stiff by the iris-fest this week, here are a few more iris fragrances worth considering:
Frederic Malle Iris Poudre: Created by Pierre Bourdon, and featuring notes of bergamot, rosewood, ylang ylang, carnation, magnolia, jasmine, lily of the valley, violet, rose, aldehydes, iris, musk, amber, vanilla, sandalwood, and ebony. Iris Poudre starts as a sweet, velvety, and very lady-like floral blend…
A correction
The new tuberose fragrance from Frederic Malle will not, as reported yesterday, be called Karnal Flower, but rather Carnal Flower (an improvement, no?), and it will have notes of tuberose, orange blossom, coconut, and camphor. The nose is Dominique Ropion, and it is due to be launched in France in September. Many thanks to Victoria of Bois de Jasmin for the correction.