Posted by Angela
on
5 September 2008
Surprise of surprises. When I first smelled Miller Harris L’Air de Rien, a fragrance named “air of nothing” and made for the breathy-voiced, hippie-chic Jane Birkin, the last thing I expected to think of was Jean Desprez Bal à Versailles, a scent purportedly made of over 300 ingredients and whose bottle features 17th-century ladies in pastel dresses. But from their shared sweet neroli beginning down to their saddle leather, musk, and dirty stable dry down, Bal à Versailles and L’Air de Rien smell to me like twins separated at birth and raised in different homes.
Bal à Versailles grew up in the family that had a maid to keep the vases full and polish the furniture with lemon oil and beeswax. The perfumer Jean Desprez launched Bal à Versailles in 1962, the same year that Guerlain released Chant d’Arômes (and that, incidentally, Jane Birkin turned 16 years old). Notes I’ve found listed for Bal à Versailles include jasmine, rose, sandalwood, patchouli, musk, amber, and civet. I also smell orange flower and leather.
In extrait, Bal à Versailles is rich with syrupy neroli that fades to a spicy blend of flowers before settling into a disturbing, yet comforting, smell of civet, old horse droppings, and leather…
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Posted by Robin
on
5 September 2008
Bill Blass has introduced Bill Blass Couture, “timeless couture translated into a luxury modern fragrance collection”. The first four scents in the series are:
Couture 1 ~ Includes white tuberose, mandarin zest, peach blossom, clove and orange blossom…
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Posted by Robin
on
5 September 2008
Usher will launch another duo of fragrances this month, UR For Men and UR for Women. The fragrances are meant to be “more youthful” and casual than last year’s Usher She and Usher He.
UR for Women ~ a fruity floral with peach nectar, white freesia, osmanthus, jasmine, honeysuckle, pink peonies, soft woods…
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Posted by Robin
on
5 September 2008
New at beautyencounter: travel-sized bottles of Amouage Jubilation.
New at harrods (UK): B by Boucheron.
New at neimanmarcus: Guerlain Cologne du 68.
Posted by Robin
on
5 September 2008
Giorgio Armani has launched Emporio Armani Diamonds Intense, a new, deeper interpretation of last year's Emporio Armani Diamonds:
More irresistible than ever, this captivating new gourmand floral fragrance harmonizes the symbol of femininity, the rose, with luscious, edible notes to create a truly desirable combination. Indulge yourself in the bold rhythm that will capture your body and soul…
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