In conjunction with Muse Magazine's new "Natasha Obsessed" issue (Fall 2009), the Colette boutique in Paris is carrying a whole range of items linked to supermodel Natasha Poly, the subject of the issue. There's a Natasha Matriochka doll from Missoni, prints from Jeff Koons & others, and a limited edition candle. On the perfume front, Givenchy has created the Natasha Perfume Box Set:
Piano à Parfum "Natasha"
This box contains :
-14 absoluts (patchouli, tonka bean, kedione, jasmine, moxalone, orange blossom, galbanum, iris, turkish rose, vetiver, vanillin, bergamot, lavender, blackcurrant)
The different absoluts, when they are mixed, produce a perfume inspired and dedicated to Natasha Poly.
The set also includes pipettes, a beaker and paper test strips.
The proceeds will be donated to a Russian charity for the protection of children; the price is 360€ (including VAT). (via colette)
sounds interesting, especially with lavender – but what is kedione? Do they mean hedione?
I assume the kedione is a typo & they mean hedione, but I am not absolutely sure so did not include a [sic].
I’m confused as to why they are selling the 14 absolutes, if it is the 14 together that make the Natasha Poly (whoever the hell that is–and no, I don’t care, so please no one send me a link). That’s just lazy that they make us do it ourselves.
As “mix your own” kits go, this one is not very compelling, I’d say, unless you were a huge fan of Natasha Poly and/or Muse.
I am so happy that Givenchy is doing this for Natasha, she has been Riccardo’s friend and muse for a long time now and these absolutes are an interesting concept. Not for everyone but I think it could potentially be fun.
It would be more fun if it cost much less 🙂
hello, robin, angela and all you dear nst-ers!! i’ve been reading the blog for a long time but only just now registered…thank you so much for making such a wonderful, illuminating site! 🙂
i have to say, i really like the idea behind the natasha perfume set!! first, natasha poly, a great russian model (sorry, miss kitty v ;)) is quite an artistic muse, but beyond that, i love that they let us make the perfume ourselves, that way we can combine and experiment with the absoluts and maybe create something personal! if only i could get this here in buenos aires…sigh! (i’m sure it won’t be sold in argentina) :´( qu’est qu’on peut faire??
There are some really wonderful kits out there at a considerably better price! I think you’re right…this one is not going to be widely distributed.
I’m also new here, though I’ve been reading for about four months, but I want to totally second the thank you for making this such a great blog! And totally wrecking my budget 🙂
The idea of a mix your own kit is fun, but I agree that the price is totally absurd. Now I’m having a fun time reading through the kit tag! Anyone have a particular suggestion of a good kit for newbie perfumistas?
The Osmoz kits are lovely, but they’re for learning notes as opposed to learning to blend. If you don’t care about “lovely” and/or you want to try blending your own, I’d stick with the kits from the Perfumer’s Apprentice — although I should mention that I’ve never seen one in person, I just know that others were very happy with them.
^i didn’t know those kits existed! or that they would be available to people in general! i’m going to investigate and see what i can find 😀
There are several. Click on the link “kit” in the list of tags below the article!
I like the idea of having the elements of a scent pulled apart so you can do a remix: Calvin Klein has done it a couple of times (for Obsession and Truth). Tinkering is fun. But proportion is everything. If you’re really expected to make the perfume yourself by using all fourteen notes, then you have to know exactly how much of each goes into the mix, or you’re much more likely than not to make an unbalanced mess. That’s one of the reasons perfumers exist.
Plus, 350 euros? I don’t think so. That’s just ridiculous, even for Givenchy.
Tinkering is fun, but so far as I know, the “finished scent” doesn’t exist anyway? Unless I’ve missed something, you’re making it up!
The price is silly.
now i love natasha poly as much as the next person, but seriously? would anybody be willing to spend that much for this? still an interesting concept, though.
and it’s my first post! yay!
I had never heard of NP before I wrote this article, so I’m certainly not willing to spend it!
Oh, and welcome!!!