Next, Kurkdjian schedules a face-to-face meeting, to which he brings his traveling lab–a 45-pound, green leather steamer trunk of ingredients, from rose and jasmine oils to cloves and ambergris (rare sperm whale secretion). In all, Kurkdjian uses some 1,200 substances to whip up his scents. Prices range from $9 a pound for lavender oil to $10,500 a pound for ambergris.
— From What A Nose at Forbes, an article about perfumer Francis Kurkdjian’s bespoke fragrance business. Many thanks to Anna for the link!
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This is really interesting – but I just don’t know. Considering the world economy right now…. I adore perfumes and would love to be able to “inspire” a creation, but to shell out so much money for someone (granted a master perfumer) to “create” something for my car sounds awfully jaded.
Anyway – I know this is not a free-for-all thread but it’s related to the topic if it hasn’t previously been addressed – How about an “A + B = C” creativity blog for us to talk about experimenting with blends using inventory from our personal collections? No doubt most of us have done it so perhaps we’d like to share our favorites? Just a thought!
We did do an article on layering, but we’re probaby due for an update:
http://www.nstperfume.com/2007/12/06/perfumista-tip-on-perfume-layering/
Hmm, I am not sure I am in the market for a bespoke scent either, having trouble enough rotating my enormous collection of FBs, minis and samples.
That said, do you think if I bunged old Francis 20 euros he would tweak the drydown of Kenzo Eau de Fleur de Magnolia (that I just bought off Ebay for the steal price of £15!), so it lasts longer than an hour? : – )
I don’t think he will do anything for 20 euros!
Even if I had the money for a bespoke, I think trying to choose a fragrance would push me over the edge–oh, the indecision!
I am looking forward to trying his regular fragrance-line in September, though.
I’m looking forward to that too — could be great fun.
I want to peak (sniff) inside that green leather steamer trunk!
Exactly!!
Thanks Robin!
Not surprising that I haven’t been around these pages long enough to look up every thread in the extensive archive!
Anyway, maybe we can make a little twist – something like trying to mimick an expensive ($$$) fragrance using two affordable ($) ones so that the end result is three scents ($$$$) for the price of two ($$)? I hear members analyze review scents by likening their characteristics to other ones. It’s just an idea. Thanks again!
Will add that to the poll suggestion list, thanks!