Bond no. 9 will launch Bryant Park, the latest in their series of perfumes celebrating New York's neighborhoods, on March 1:
Imagine an oasis of unflappably serene greenery, improbably nestled in a canyon of skyscrapers down the street from Times Square, in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Now, add chandelier-lit mega-tents, A-list designers, world-class models, press, buyers, and, oh yes, racks and racks of next year’s clothes, and you have the paradox that is today’s Bryant Park—the world’s most frenetic style arena equipped with shrubbery, flower beds, a carousel, and WiFi too.
Bond no. 9's Bryant Park fragrance was created by perfumer Michel Almairac, and is described as “a rose-patchouli concoction with pink pepper added for dissonance” (other notes include lily of the valley, rhubarb, raspberry and amber). Bryant Park comes in a bottle inspired by the “exuberant gossamer silk pre-Mod textiles of the late ‘50s”. It will be available in 50 ml ($125) or 100 ml ($185) bottles of Eau de Parfum, or by the ounce in the Bond no. 9 boutiques in New York City. (via press release from Bond no. 9)
Update: see a review of Bond no. 9 Bryant Park.
An aside: Bryant Park (the actual park, that is) has been home to New York's Fashion Week since 1993, but reportedly the event will move to a new location after the Spring 2007 shows next month. You can read more about the park (and see pictures) at its website.
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Hmmm … doesn't Bond already have a fragrance which speaks to this ad copy? Fashion Avenue or something?
Off-topic: I finally got a whiff of Pure Linen yesterday, been meaning to since you reviewed it. Fabric softener, totally! Then on my wrist it turns into amonia, not just a slight pungency but a brutal slam that'll clear your sinus. It's a Snuggle bear, you say “awww…” and then you find out it's got a spiked collar, whips and chains.
Yes, there is a Fashion Avenue also! It is very different…a sort of powdery mimosa.
I was about to say I never reviewed Pure White Linen, but then I remembered that Marlen did. I'm not a big fan of the original and didn't love the new one either, although it was well done.
Bond is killing me with these bottles! I almost bought Chinatown and The Hamptons b/c of their packaging, despite my great dislike for the scents themselves. And this one has a truly amazing bottle…even if the concept of mixing rose, patchouli, LOTV, amber, raspberry and pink pepper sounds a little nauseous to me
Another rose blend from Michel Almairac… sounds good to me! And check out that Pucci-inspired bottle! Fun.
(I'm also glad that you included the Bryant Park link. That park is much more than a Fashion Week venue! It's one of my favorite places just to sit and read.)
A, I completely agree…to me, this is the most tempting bottle they've done since Chinatown. I might have to have one regardless.
Hard to say about the notes…not a patch fan, and not a raspberry fan. Hoping it leans more towards sheer than heavy, in which case there might be some hope I'll like it!
It is a lovely park, although several times I've found it closed off for private events (other than Fashion Week) when I want to go in.
And the bottle is absolutely to die for.
When I was working in NYC, I used to meet a friend for lunch regularly in Bryant Park.
They get me coming and going, that's for sure. Not only do I think the bottle is gorgeous, the scent sounds wonderful as well. When, oh when will it end?? LOL!
It will never end!!
Robin, my friend-
I always enjoy learning about new things….
BUT -
DAMMIT !
Pretty bottles be damned- these Bond folks are wearing me out with their prodigious output…
Am I the only one who finds this bottle to be too gaudy and cartoony ? I much prefer the previous designs.
And yes, for a niche house, Bond no. 9 does put out a lot of fragrances per year. As a result of this hurried output, very few are worth a purchase.
Got it!
Powerpuff girls — thats what the bottle art initially reminded me off :p
It is true, although the pace has been slower for the past year than it was in the beginning….unless I'm mistaken, they did something like 20 scents between 2003-2005 (!), then only 3 new scents in 2006.
LOL — I can see that, although what it reminds me of is the very mod minidresses that women were wearing in the 1960s. And as pointed out above, it has a very Pucci feel. Maybe it will be a love it or hate it bottle!
I love this bottle. I really DID NOT care for West Side. That bottle was so obnoxious.
You're right, Robin, when Bond No. 9 launched the line, there were about sixteen fragrances.
The new Bryant Park bottle is fabulous! Rumor has it that the bottle design was inspired by a pair of vintage shoes that one of our friends wore while visiting Laurice. I'm such a fan of Almairac and his creations, I have no doubt that I will love this one too. Thanks for the photo and the post!
We agree…
I'd rather have fewer, and more spectacular ,perfumes.
Someone I know once told me that you can't wear the bottle…
[The only instance of wearing the bottle, Zz, is that Dylan Thomas story, where Sam from the provinces winds up drinking Shalimar, fully clothed in a cold, greasy,dirty bathtub, with an empty Bass bottle on his finger...!]
I think West Side was another love it or hate it bottle, I know several people who disliked it but also quite a few who loved it. I liked it!
Pucci shoes, I'm sure!
Agree with the sentiment entirely…and that goes for the perfume industry as a whole. Too much product, too little innovation.
Ohhhh, how interesting! I love rose and patchouli together, but the overlay of fruit has me worried. Red fruits in particular seem to bring out the sweaty side of patch.
K, Marina has a review of it on Perfume Smellin' Things today. I have only worn it once, and didn't find it sweaty at all, but not sure yet what I think of it.
I could see this as smelling very much like Givenchy's “Haute Couture” mixed with artsy oil blends (sort of like “Very Irresistible”, as well). I suppose the rose/patchouli combo will feel very vintage in a flower-child way; Although, I would've expected them to produce a bottle that was a little more similar to “Fire Island” (I think of Vogue fashion spreads of the late 60's/early 70's…more Olivia Hussey and Mia Farrow, than Audrey Hepburn and Suzy Parker). The bottle also reminds me more of “Exclamation” by Coty than something like “Soir de Paris”–which is what I would have associated with the marketing. I suppose “Hamptons” already looks enough like that.
Have now smelled it, and it isn't any of those things…it is much lighter and less patchouli focused than you'd imagine from the description. There is a review already at Perfume Smellin' Things blog if you want to read one!
Those were my exact impressions when I smelled it too, Robin! Very breezy and clean, and the patch is subtle to say the least.
Yes, it isn't really what I expected from the description. Will try to review it soon…
I'm pleased to hear that “Bryant Park” is lighter than what I anticipated. Whenever I think of an NYC “runway/fashion week” theme, I always imagine Calvin Klein-esque stuff blowing off the runway, circa. 1992-93—and Versace and Chanel scents wafting from the audience. All chic and a little austere, but with hints of spicy flair evident. I'll need to test Bond no. 9's newbie and see how their interpretation compares to how I imagined it. Thanks for always updating us on new goodies!
It is a very modern scent, not at all early 1990s, and not a “big statement” kind of fragrance in that sense. It is pretty, but only wore it once very quickly so haven't decided anything about it at all.