Shiseido will launch the third incarnation of its Zen fragrance this September (prior versions were launched in 1964 and 2000). The new fragrance was developed by perfumer Michel Almairac, and is described as a “fresh, floral woody scent” with notes of grapefruit, bergamot…
Spanish fashion designer Angel Schlesser has introduced Selection de Memoires, a new collection of fragrances inspired by Schlesser’s travels. The first two scents in the projected series are Esprit de Gingembre for men and women:
Created by Firmenich’s Natalie Lorson…
Parfums Ailleurs is a new affordably priced fragrance line from Cofinluxe, the producers of Parfums Salvador Dali and Parfums Morgan, among others. The line debuts with three scents:
Ici (shown) is a fruity floral for “today’s beautiful heroines”. It was created by perfumer Michel Almairac…
Mainstream men’s colognes — a wearying bunch of scents that more often than not smell of “cold” citrus (harsh, metallic, faux citrus) floating on a sea of “marine” notes or buffeted by ozonic winds. This type of fragrance (apparently beloved by market research guinea pigs) rules the mainstream male perfume world and no matter how many interesting ingredients are mentioned in ad copy — May rose, myrrh, olive wood, hay, nasturtium, etc. — chances are, when you sniff a new men’s fragrance, you will detect only citrus, ozone or marine notes, a touch of wood, and a squirt of tepid musk. Boring, boring, boring.
When Gucci released Pour Homme in 2003, I was relieved to read its list of notes: white pepper, pink bay, ginger, papyrus wood, orris rhizome, vetiver, amber, white olibanum and leather — no citrus, no evocations of the shore or high altitudes…
West Side and Bryant Park are the latest two fragrances from Bond no. 9, the perfume house that is mapping New York City’s neighborhoods in scent. Both were created by perfumer Michel Almairac of Robertet, and while neither is a soliflore, both feature prominent rose notes.
West Side launched last year, and was intended as an homage to the musical heritage of the West Side (you can see a picture of the bottle here). In addition to rose, the notes include ylang ylang, peony, sandalwood, amber, musk and vanilla.
Early reports that West Side had some affinity to Lancome Mille et Une Roses were intriguing…