Today's New York Times has a profile of Laurice Rahme, the founder of Bond no. 9. The line's newest fragrance…
….the ambitiously christened “Scent of Peace,” is a departure, in that its blend of grapefruit, black currant, cedar and musk, is not linked with a specific quarter of Manhattan. “Peace,” as Ms. Rahmé declared with some heat, “is a neighborhood we all want to live in.”
The new perfume, introduced last month at a series of lunches in the Delegates' Dining Room of the United Nations, was inspired by Sept. 11, 2001, she declared. “It was New York that was attacked not so long ago, so if there is a message of peace, that too has to start in New York,” she said.
Scent of Peace has apparently sparked some controversy — read all about it.
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Yet again, we see that people can't deal with strong and successful women. And the so-called controversy over her Scent of Peace is gratuitous bunk.
Here's a quote from the article: 'Might the Scent of Peace be her way of laying claim to yet another neighborhood, the former World Trade Center site — as some of her detractors have suggested? Ms. Rahmé bristles at the idea. “This is one neighborhood I am not going to capitalize on,” she said.
Allan Mottus, the editor of The Informationist, a fragrance industry publication, is not so sure. “I wouldn't put it past her,” he said. “She's a pretty aggressive marketer.”
Oh no! A business person who agressively markets! My stars, have you ever heard of such a thing?? If it were LAURENCE Rahme under discussion, there'd be no 'controversy.'
R, thank you for this fascinating article (At the age of 14 I was all aflutter when an article mentioned a cute movie star or a singer, now I get all excited when I see names of favorite perfumers and perfume critics LOL)
I agree with what LaureAnne said above. An agressive, obstinate business-person? Shocking.
I think the name of the scent is a little…cheesy, but the juice itself sounds very pleasant.
I. too, agree with LA. It's amazing what original, assertive women are subject to. It just doesn't seem fair.
As someone who's seen the personable and generous side of Laurice when visiting her lovely boutique, I have a great deal of respect and admiration for her, and her contribution to fragrance.
I'm very curious about the illustration on the Peace bottle, and whether it's been approved by the Picasso Estate!
And I agree with the above posters about Laurice Rahme and certain perceptions of her marketing, not to mention her persona. A business owner who is “aggressive”? How shocking.
LOL — you go girl!
What I want to know is: where is Fire Island? And West Side Stories?
Interesting point on the bottle!
I'd like to know that too
It's very suggestive of Picasso's various “Peace” doves. Of course, they're so familiar by now that they're practically public domain…. but I say this as a layperson, not a copyright expert!