I am very happy to announce that Marlen, who has already joined me for a number of "She Says/He Says" perfume reviews, will now be writing a regular column on men's fragrances for Now Smell This. Marlen works as a university professor in Osaka, Japan, and is also a moderator on the basenotes forum and a self-described "perfumaholic".
Look for Marlen's first review tomorrow: Nina Ricci Signoricci.
Escada is the latest fragrance release from the design house of the same name, and the second release to be named Escada. The first, launched in 1990, appears to still be in production. Is it just me, or is it unnecessarily confusing to produce two perfumes with the same name? (Note: some stores are referring to this scent as Escada Signature; others are calling it Escada Crystal). The 2005 version was created by nose Pierre Bourdon and has notes of bergamot, black currant, leafy greens, cucumber, lemon, sea breeze accord, freesia, honeydew, magnolia, jasmine, muguet, rose, orange blossom, peony, amber, musk, nectarine, vanilla, orris, patchouli and sandalwood.
Escada opens with fruit salad on a bed of greens, with a little cucumber garnish on the side. It is foody, but very light and fresh and summery…
In Black is the latest fragrance release from the Spanish design house J Del Pozo. The fragrance was created by nose Christine Nagel and features pink grapefruit, rose, black cherry, black lily, peach wine, jasmine, violet, vanilla, musk, patchouli, cedar and liquorice wood. No word on when this will be in stores…
When it comes to candles, the scents not only should be interesting, potent and lingering, but also should serve an aromatherapeutic function. Figuier by Côté Bastide is a perfect relaxing candle, with the scent that conjures associations with sunny days of summer. The white wax is permeated with the aroma of verdant leaves, young twigs and sticky green figs. This is not a honeyed scent of a ripe fruit, but a spicy crisp fragrance of a green fig that oozes milky sap onto the hot stones underneath the tree. A hint of green almond adds a pleasant subtle sweetness that swirls in the air like a gentle Mediterranean breeze…
Aedes de Venustas is well known to fans of niche fragrances. The West Village boutique was founded by Karl Bradl and Robert Gerstner in 1995, and I when I dream about owning my own fragrance boutique, as I do from time to time, in my mind it looks pretty much exactly like what they have created at Aedes. I asked Karl to tell me how he became involved in fragrance retail, and how he, Robert, and store manager Miguel keep up with the competition.
How did you first become interested in fragrance?
My fascination with fragrance started when my mom gave me a bottle of Rothchild for Christmas in the early 80's. I was so much into the scent …