Perfumer Francis Kurkdjian talks about his new line, Maison Francis Kurkdjian.
Advertisement
Recent reviews
Favorite articles
Advertisement
Shop for perfume
Subscribe to NST
Advertisement
From NST at Twitter
"Roberto Cavalli Envisions Jennifer Lopez Wearing His ‘Aggressive’ Scent" article at People http://t.co/PcfLZSCW
2 hours ago Stella McCartney in conversation with Alexandra Shulman (video, talks about new scent L.I.L.Y) http://t.co/VAKYigvK
1 day ago "French parfumier Guerlain on trial over 'race slurs'" article at Telegraph http://t.co/lVDxoZMi
1 day ago Vote for NST's Mood Board on FB and win a Zoya Nail Polish collection! http://t.co/MXHMN7I3
2 days ago
29 Comments
Read more about commenting at Now Smell This.
It might be all PR… but I really appreciate what he is saying!
And the scented bracelet looks so simple and nice…
I like the way he talks about luxury too. But bear in mind that the scented bracelets are 140 euros…the only things comparable to the $10 at Tiffany’s are the scented incense papers and the bubbles, both of which are under 20 euros.
140 Euros for the bracelet….ouch!
I prefer to put that money in a real bottle!
But the bubbles sound like they’re so much fun!
I like the idea… even if I can’t blow them all over Versailles!
Thank you for this! I visited his new shop in Paris in September. It is tiny, and was very busy as it had just opened, but the sales woman was generous with sample vials. I am sorry to admit, I haven’t given the samples a good chance yet, but now I’m excited to try some, as I recall them being fresh and light and I need that at this point in the winter. So I have nothing to really add to this, except visit his store if you can!
I have tried most of them. They’re quite nicely done – as you’d expect! – but I did not love any of them. Still, I like what he’s doing conceptually.
Agree, nicely done but not moved to love. Probably why I let the samples languish so long. And yes, I like what he’s doing conceptually too – perfume bubbles! And putting his name right there out front – why not?
Yeah, that $10 will get you exactly zip at MFK, but I suppose inflation has bumped it up a bit, and Audrey and George could get a bottle of bubbles. I do appreciate that he’s trying to make at least something affordable for us hoi polloi, although I wonder if what he said about luxury and stuffiness was a subtle swipe at Uncle Serge and his Paris salon!
Just used an online inflation calculator — that $10 is now worth about $70. So they could buy the bubbles AND the incense paper.
I was JUST going to open another Safari window and Google “inflation calculator” when I scrolled down to your note. Perfect!
Loved what Francis said about the SA not changing expression at all! Wish the SAs everywhere had the same understanding. And loved what he said about fragrance as a dream rather than an acquisition.
Thank you very much for the link, Robin
Yes!! Hope it really is true in his shop as well.
I want those adorable bubbles.
Me too!
Well, isn’t he just the most adorable man! Doesn’t he seem just : really nice??
Yes, Daisy, that’s what I thought too. I felt he was entirely genuine and sharing his personal philosophy with us.
Like Robin, I hope the SAs in his shop see it the same way and don’t get snooty when people come in wanting to spend a mere $70 (i.e., $10 in BaT – Breakfast at Tiffany’s – dollars). I’d imagine he’s done a pretty good job of hiring like-minded staff. In fact, betcha that was one of the chief criteria.
Signed,
Four Ounces of Water Poured Respectfully into 8-ounce Nice-but-not-Ostentatious Glass.
Agree. He seems very reasonable about the fragrance business and what he’s trying to do. I hope it works for him.
I thought so, too!
Yeah, adorable!
I think that he is so terribly talented… Narciso Rodriguez for Him is one of my favorites… Love his new line! Have to take a trek to Bergdorf Goodman and purchase now!! Love the Colognes!!!
He is unbelievably talented. I don’t know why so few of his perfumes speak to me, but I’m sure that reflects badly on me and not on him.
I understand completely… I have that push/pull relationship with Dominique Ropion.. For every Vetiver Extraordinaire that I LOVE, theres a Geranium pour Monsieur that I loved on paper and the moment I put it on my skin it was a complete scrubber on me… I feel your pain haha..
But of course, the pain saves me big $$
What a nice and down to earth interview. My love for NR for Her is no secret, and I’ve got my eye on the Francis Kurkdjian sample set next pay day. I love his approach to frags, and how he strives to appeal to a particular feeling in everyone, not necessarily a fragrance that everyone will automatically love, but at least one many can relate to. I love the bubbles and laundry soap idea and might have to snag the bubbles as a birthday gift for the twins. They’d be over the moon since they both love perfume, and who can resist bubbles? =) I can’t wait to try this line and imagine I’ll like at least a couple of the frags.
Hope you’ll love them!
Hi there,
I made the video of Francis up here and wanted to say thanks for linking up to the film here. He really is a very lovely man, humble and really passionate about his work and I can confirm that the bubbles really are amazing, especially the cut grass scented bottle!
He really does believe that service is all important. Unfortunately we had to cut out a part when he talks in more detail about Breakfast at Tiffanys. It really is a major part of his ethos which is why he has the movie playing constantly on a TV in his store.
Thanks again,
Simon
Thanks so much — would love to see that discarded footage!
Well, there’s another two videos to come, so I’ll let you know when they’re uploaded.
Great, thanks!
Robin – a quick note to say that it was my company that filmed this video and I have to say that Francis was a really charming man. Genuinely passionate about his new venture and completely believable. I’m now a convert to APOM for my everyday scent.
If all our clients were like this I’d be a happy man!
Nice.