Meetings and vernissage
I had a thrilling meeting last week, a sniffing and exchange “rencontre” with Rashunda who happens to have blog since centuries. In light of her blogging experience I feel like a newborn, looking in the sun the first time. We met for the first time after exchanging some mails and the topic was: Perfumes, what else? We exchanged samples of what we created and I was lucky enough to have Rashunda share a scent with me that still makes me go WOW! Beforehand: Can you buy this scent: No. Will it ever be commercialized: I have not idea. What is it? It is remarkable, out of the ordinary, fully loaded with naturals, intense and very present. There is a gourmand quality in it that starts with something spicy, like a pepper over berries or ripe citrus fruits, a very balanced spice accord sitting on top of an equally balanced core with a somewhat powdery aspect (Ylang?), wonderful woody lines that are assembled in a very elegant way. Hints of flowers passing by, circling around a hint of vanilla and patchouli (in my nose). What I like most about it: It is well composed and the notes are interwoven to form something new. No note stands out for itself and I have a hard time detecting individual scents. Well, thank you Rashunda for sharing and congratulations!
Another meeting of a different kind: Bond no. 9 I was invited to the vernissage at Osswald’s perfumery in Zurich, officially launching the line, with lots of bubbling drinks (alcoholic version). Again: WOW. The scents are worth coming back again, taking time and sniff them quietly, a few of them I tried and got some samples, too. My favourite so far: Gramercy Park and Great Jones. I was there with Vero and we admired the packaging and the whole concept even more. Wonderful…. and then we were standing there, mouth open, champagne glass in the hand, watching the upper class, and we wondered how much silicon was in some lips and how those beautiful beings managed to eat. Well, maybe the just eat sushis and stuff at vernissages? Thus, lessons learnt: How to launch a scent (Champagne!, red carpet, lovely waiters), and whom to invite (lips!).
After quite some sniffing, we left, very grateful (Thank you Mr. Abt!), full of impressions and with the decision to come back to sniff some scents that are really remarkable, but this time…without inflatable boat carriers…
Pix: Stincky orchid, still blooming and emanating strange scents, since last year. I’d bet: This orchid attracts strange flies eating dead tapirs or so.
July 13th, 2006 at 11:08 am
Great Jones, a fantastic masculine. Such a great bitter orange, so old fashioned and serious, rich and velvety, to go with slicked hair and Italian wool suits.
July 13th, 2006 at 6:12 pm
ah… that sounds wonderful… time to take a moment off and sniff… well: Saturday… first come the samples!
July 13th, 2006 at 8:50 pm
The only Bond No9 that really rings my bell is New Haarlem. I fell in love with it at first sniff and just had to have a bottle of it.
July 13th, 2006 at 9:09 pm
Ohhhhh I missed that one… but as I will visit Osswald soon again for a quiet sniffing… I will have a closer look at it. The problem only is… they are all somewhat expensive. ah well… I will skip a glass of wine in France then!
July 14th, 2006 at 2:27 am
A very evocative, thoughtful, and funny post. It makes me giggle internally.
Today I reviewed Fire Island but I have not explored the whole line, yet.
July 14th, 2006 at 8:42 am
Dear Mimi
I was giggeling, too when I was there. Well, of course, with all due respect for Mr. Abt and Osswald’s perfumery…they have done a wonderful job and I am sure Bond No. 9 has made the perfect choice for their Swiss partner! The whole line to explore is… by the way… a tough endeavour. The scents are quite special and each of them needs attention.
July 16th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
I wrote this yesterday (Saturday). Today is Sunday.:-) Also, I wrote this without looking at any of the other reviews so my descriptions may be off.
First, Andy thank you for the kind words you offered about my perfume. I was extremely, extremely nervous about sharing my offering to a professional as yourself. Thank you for helping me gain confidence in my work. It was an honor to be in your presence. I’m still awed that you took time out to meet me.
Second, the orris.
It is Saturday. The last couple of days have been stressful due to the Middle East conflict. It seems that the scent of war is surrounding us. Since I have some time to myself, time to reflect, time to relax, perhaps I can counteract that scent for a few seconds with something more beautiful.
I’ve just tried the orris root that you gifted me with last Friday. Upon the first spritz, I detected a “soft, powdery sandalwood.” (I haven’t taken the correct perfume terminology to heart yet, so my descriptions may not make sense). The powdery sandalwood seems to have a hint of berries surrounding it, a gentle covering.
10 minutes later: The sandalwood is still there, but the berry scent has lifted it into a state of “sensual floatiness.” It’s hard to explain. It is sweet, but not cloying. Soft, but not weak. There is an elegant silence about it. I believe I’m detecting a slight aldehydic note, but not the brash one of Chanel No. 5, which is my aldehyde benchmark. This note is more sophisticated.
After a few hours: I ran my Saturday errands while wearing the orris. The sandalwood and berries mixed and became lighter. Although I had to concentrate to detect the scent (it was extremely hot today and I sweated quite profusely) I could still single out the scent. It is light, delicate and uplifting. I believe I can even still detect a slight powder note. The sweetness has pulled back, just a tad, having done its job in the beginning.
Andy, whatever you wanted to accomplish with the orris, you’ve done it.
Thank you for your gift.
Best regards,
Rashunda