The New York outpost of this Japan-based retailer specializes in exclusive and imported brands, and its fragrance selection is a feast of hard-to-find scents. The fragrance and beauty departments recently moved from the store’s tranquil, spacious sixth floor down to the main floor; the new location may lack the upper level’s sense of sanctuary, but it offers greater visibility and more efficient browsing. After perusing the shelves of unusual perfumes (and the nearby offerings of cosmetics and skincare, including Shu Uemura, Dr. Ci:Labo, and Kanebo), be sure to visit the bed and bath department on the fifth floor, where even more fragrances are paired with accompanying bath products and home fragrance…
Fresh Violette ~ new fragrance
Fresh has launched a new fragrance, Violette,
Built around the velvety violet flower, Violette marries sheer florals like freesia and rose with light citrus notes such as bergamot and mandarin. But it's the warm undertones of patchouli, sandalwood, and amber that make this fragrance unique and rich. The end result is sophisticated, extravagant and long-lasting…
And then you need something else…
Narciso Rodriguez For Him ~ fragrance review, with an aside on Houbigant Fougere Royale
Rarely do “simple” fragrances (scents with few ingredients or little development) hold my attention or gain my affection. I prefer perfumes that change their expression several times a day — perfumes that make a journey. The uncomplicated scents I do wear tend to be classic compositions made with rich ingredients (woods/resins, spices, incense or leather notes). I own several fragrances whose development is minimal: Christian Lacroix’ Tumulte (pour homme), Maître Parfumeur et Gantier’s Parfum d’Habit and Hermès Bel Ami. These warm scents begin with a glint, a spark, and settle almost immediately into a long-lasting glow — Narciso Rodriguez’ For Him is such a scent.
For Him is fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez’ debut men’s fragrance. “This fragrance is the first extension of my men’s wear collection,” Rodriguez told Women’s Wear Daily (May 18, 2007). “It is an important component of the total image, an expression of the man. For Him enhances the existing foundation of my vision for men’s wear and is the first of many categories to come.” For Him was created by perfumer Francis Kurkdjian and is composed of violet leaf, patchouli, amber and musk. According to Parfums Narciso Rodriguez Vice President, Nathalie Helloin-Kamel (also quoted in WWD), For Him’s inspiration came from an earlier era of men’s perfumery: “The benchmark was the great fougères of the Eighties.”
The fougère (fern) category of men’s fragrances is large…
Tom Ford Black Orchid Voile de Fleur ~ new fragrance
Tom Ford is preparing to launch Black Orchid Voile de Fleur, the new Eau de Toilette version of last year's Black Orchid fragrance:
Black Orchid Voile de Fleur offers a new twist on the iconic original, blending the essence of textured florals with a sexy and sophisticated sensuality in a sparkling eau de toilette.
The alluring potion of Black Orchid is given a warm effervescent modernity with this new entry…