Bill Blass will launch a fifth fragrance in the Bill Blass Couture series (see Couture 1, 3. 6 & 7) this coming February. The fragrances were all inspired by designs from the Blass fashion line, which is currently undergoing a change in ownership.
The newest fragrance was inspired by a colorful red floral-print dress shown in Blass’ fall 2008 presentation…
If money spent is any indication, then it must have been a good year for perfume — I spent plenty. The quarterly “damage” poll is coming up on Friday, so start adding up your receipts! Meanwhile, here are my picks and pans for 2008. Scroll down to see what other Now Smell This contributors have to say on the subject, or check out the lists at Bois de Jasmin, Perfume Posse and Perfume Smellin' Things. And of course, do add your own favorites in the comments.
A few of my favorite things (in no particular order): Tauer Perfumes Incense extrême and Incense rosé, Estee Lauder Sensuous, Costume National 21, Le Labo Gaiac 10, Eau d'Italie Baume du Doge, Jo Malone Kohdo Wood, Serge Lutens El Attarine, L'Artisan Aedes de Venustas, Chanel Sycomore.
Perfumer of the year: Antoine Maisondieu, who brought weird and wonderful back to Comme des Garçons with Stephen Jones and Monocle Scent One: Hinoki…
About a month ago I was shopping in Manhattan with some visiting friends, and we noticed that several stores, from Barneys and Henri Bendel in midtown to The Family Jewels vintage clothing boutique in Chelsea, were decorated with 1960s motifs and a proliferation of peace signs. We eventually learned that these displays were tributes to the peace sign’s fiftieth anniversary. Peace Soap from the toiletries company Kala Style is another homage to that iconic symbol, in an affordable and playful form that would make an upbeat little gift for a friend (or yourself).
One hefty, lime-colored bar of Peace Soap lasts through several weeks of showers or baths. Its vegetable-based formula contains aloe and glycerin for gentle cleansing. The scent includes mint, which is one of my favorite head-clearing essences, as well as an indefinable blend of other leafy green notes…
Sometimes it seems as though high-end beauty-product companies have been competing in the “green” arena for ages. In fact, Patyka is one of the more venerable natural and organic boutique lines, having recently reached the ripe age of four years. Its only freestanding store in the United States is located in New York’s West Village, where it presents an unassuming façade amidst other neighborhood shops.
Patyka’s small, sun-washed space is neatly organized and welcoming in an understated way. Artfully distressed shelving displays Patyka’s three Ecocert-approved product collections: the classic Patyka range, including four all-natural fragrances; Biokaliftin specialized skincare; and the new Family line of organic body and face products in brightly colored plastic bottles. The products themselves are set off against the room’s subtle textures and details: a brick-wall painted creamy white, mirrors of different vintages, hand-written price tags dangling from tester bottles, a frosted-glass doorknob…