Fragrance Belles-Lettres Magazine

Noblesse Luxe Publication

Feature Article

                                         
                                             VANILLA SMOKE
                         A Natural Gourmand Scent

                                   

    
            I hope Mandy Aftel forgives me for my tardiness in with this review. As you may know, my favorite scent is Vanilla. So, when I found out that Mandy created a new scent that features the scent of Vanilla, I knew I wanted to talk about it.

           I was patient in coming to terms in writing about Vanilla Smoke because I wanted to learn more about the Vanilla Orchid industry and how their is a shortage of "real" Vanilla in Madagascar in particular. 

          During my research on this subject, I read reviews from other well respected perfume bloggers about Vanilla Smoke. A few of these bloggers mentioned "citrus", "leathery", "woodsy" just to name a few.

          But out of these few bloggers no one mentioned the word, "gourmand". 
The sample I received from Aftelier Perfume is Vanilla Smoke Eau de Parfum and it is a gourmand!

         In fact, the word gourmand is mentioned in the description of this fragrance. Mandy is absolutely correct! 
         
         When I first laced my wrist with Vanilla Smoke EDP. I immediately got a beautiful array of sweet vanilla that cofirmed  to me, it originated from Madagascar. Vanilla from Madigascar has a unique sweetness that is humbled by a superior rich dark and creamy aroma and enhanced by Mandy's incredible skills by giving it a smoky rendition of a harmonic melody.


        Moments later that sweetness simmers to a blend of balsamic smoke.

Madagascar Vanilla beans

Most people think there is one kind of vanilla and that is further from the truth. 

       Vanilla Smoke is created with one of the key notes and that is vanilla absolute. Mandy went the extra mile by enhances the scent with the flavor of lapsang souchong tea leaves.

      Research indicates that lapsang is an ancient Chinese black tea and the lapsang leaves are traditionally smokedried over pinewood fires that takes on a distinctive smoky aroma.

     So, there is no doubt why this fragrance is named Vanilla Smoke. 

  This is the extra mile I just spoke about. Most natural Vanilla fragrances on the market would have just left it having vanilla absolute in it.  Mandy used a love of lapsang souchong tea leaves with  it's natural  smoky aroma with the vanilla absolute... that is still considered a gourmand fragrance!

Lapsang Souchong tea leaves

  The price for Vanilla Smoke EDP should be a lot more than the asking price. 

  Vanilla Smoke consist of Madagascar Vanilla which is really hard to purchase nowadays and when  you do find it, the price is "sky high". Plus this fragrance consist of Saffron. 

  Saffron is the most expensive spice and Vanilla comes in second. 

  I trust Mandy. I trust she purchases the finest ingrients and that is why Vanilla Smoke caught my attention. I knew Mandy would do wonders with it but at what cost did she have to endure to provide a superior Vanilla fragrance for our enjoyment. 

Fragrance Notes:
Featured Notes in organic alcohol
Top: Yellow Mandarin, Siam Wood, Saffron Absolute, Vanillin
Base: Vanilla Absolute, Lapsang Souchong, Ambergris, Coumarin

VANILLA SMOKE EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY  30ML  $180.00 USD
VANILLA SMOKE SAMPLE  1ML  $7.00 USD    
 www.aftelier.com







Photos Courtesy of: www.aftelier.com; www.lafaza.com; letsdrinktea.com

FMH


  
        

      

         

          


   


     

Noblesse Luxe Publication

A Fragrance Event


                                                           Anne Buzantian
                                              A Lady of Legendary Scents 
 

     The Fragrance Foundation Awards 2015 will honor Anne Buzantian with the Lifetime Achievement-Perfumer Award on Wednesday, June 17th at the Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall in New York City.
     Anne Buzantian is a Master perfumer at Firmench since given this title in 1988. It was the first time that a woman was given this prestigious title. Since then, Buzantian created some of the most iconic fragrances which includes Pleasures (1995 with Alberto Morillas) and Sensuous Nude (2008) for women by Estee Lauder, Safari for men (1992) by Ralph Lauren, Tommy by Tommy Hilfiger (1999 with Alberto Morillas) and more recently, Honey (2013) for women by Marc Jacobs.

   Ms. Buzantian arrived in New York at the age of 20 from Armenian Romania. Buzantian assumed she would attend college but instead, she got an opportunity to work in a laboratory as an assistant at Givaudan, then known as Universal Oil Products. There is enjoyed and loved her new found job. It reminded her of music and roses which are her two best loves. She was promoted to perfumer's trainee and the rest is history in the making.

   On June 17, 2015, Buzantian will be the third recipient and first woman honored with the Lifetime Achievement-Perfumer Award by The Fragrance Foundation. 

  Previously in 2003, Buzantian was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Society of Perfumers.

  I would be re-missed not to mention that Anne Buzantian created three remarkable niche fragrances for the perfumery, Puredistance located in the Netherlands. A perfumery known worldwide for establishing perfumes in London, Paris and New York composed by well-known Master perfumers.

 These three scents are all ultra feminine and it speaks that voice of Anne in a powerful yet elegant manner.
Puredistance I (2008) This perfume was actually made for herself- "a private masterpiece"

Antonia (2010) "A timeless perfume with a feel of innocence yet feminine and confident".

Opardu (2012) "Revives the rich beauty of a bygone era in a modern and elegant way".


  In additionally, what makes Anne Buzantian not only a great perfumer but also a great person. Here is a statement by Buzantian to the Estee Lauder Edit that puts things in perspective.

  "Anne likes s red lipstick because it makes me happy and I like clothes that are feminine and fit well. My fragrances reflect the same things. They are simple and uncomplicated, with a point of difference, but always feminine and beautiful. And they make me happy". 

    Congratulations to Master perfumer, Anne Buzantian!



Photo: Taken from Puredistance website www.puredistance.com and some information for this article taken from The Fragrance Foundation website www.fragrance.org and Estee Lauder website www.esteelauder.com 









FMH

Noblesse Luxe Publishing

FRAGRANCE ARTICLE



                  WORLD MACARON DAY
                               A Collaboration of Scents

    On Thursday, March 20th of each year marks the celebration of WORLD MACARON DAY.  This sweet and slightly crunchy cookie as taken the world by storm with its delicate and delightful features with its array of festive bright colors that correspond with the flavors.

    According to the luxury blog, Luxuo (article dated March 20, 2014) WORLD MACARON DAY started out as a gimmick and fundraising event by Pierre Herme'.

   Pierre Herme' known as the French "Picasso" of pastries decided to showcase international spotlight on the macaroon because it was still a novelty in bakeries outside of France. So on March 20 WORLD MACARON DAY is celebrated intensely in cities worldwide such as New York, Mumbai, Toronto and Vancouver.

  The macaroon a richly submerged meringue-based pastry that has become common in most parts of the world...give or take their own cultural interpretation of the pastry.

  Where does this involve perfume? Well, a few months ago, the world's foremost creator of the macaron, LADUREE headquartered in Paris have collaborated with Nina Ricci, fashion designer extraordinaire to create a new fragrance named La tentation de Nina.

   Olivier Cresp, Fashion Director at Nina Ricci and Vincent Lemains, Head of Pastry design for Laduree have sweetened the deal by collaborating on the macaroon flavored fragrance by creating notes of lemon, rose, almond and raspberry.

  The bottle is breathless with the Nina Ricci iconic apple-shaped bottle that features bold pink and gold tones that sparkle with the effervescent of a modern fragrance designed with the French pastry as the core.

  La tentation de Nina is available in a 50 ml/1.7 fluid ounce apple-shaped bottle for 58 Euros.
   
  Launched January 20, 2014.

 
  Sources: www.luxuo.com; www.vogue.fr.com
  Photos: www.fragrantica.com; www.vogue.fr.com






 FMH



 

   

Noblesse Luxe Publishing
"Redefining the High Life"

NEW FRAGRANCE LAUNCH

                                               ORCHID SEDUCTION
                     What Marilyn Miglin means to me


   I am very fortunate to have been raised in a metropolitan city full of interesting people and pretty objects. Years ago, I met a tremendous lady named Marilyn Miglin who was hosting a mentoring project.

  I learned some very valuable lessons from this very fortunate experience but what I really got out of the experience was how much I admired Marilyn Miglin. 

 Mrs. Miglin hosted a reception for the launch of this mentoring project and while seating at the table with some of Chicago's most powerful women, A soft but determined voice was felt in my right ear and the voice said, "It is your destiny". I turned around and there was Mrs. Miglin holding in her hand a sample of her perfume named, DESTINY.

 It was from that very day that I wanted to focus the rest of my life in perfumery regardless to the course work I focused on in college.

This is my first feature on the house of Marilyn Miglin. This house of creation, skincare, cosmetics, fragrance and spa is located on the prestigious Oak Street in Chicago. Whenever I walk on Oak Street and see the house of Marilyn Miglin, it is a reminder to me that with determination anything is possible.

Over the years, I have watched Marilyn Miglin either via HSN or in some of Chicago's most prestigious magazines covering the house of Marilyn Miglin empire grow and grow with each passing year.

Last week, I happen to watch the HSN and there I saw was Marilyn Miglin launching yet another divine LIMITED EDITION fragrance.

I immediately turned up the volume to learn more. The name of the new fragrance is ORCHID SEDUCTION.

I learned that ORCHID SEDUCTION is an Eau de Parfum that is made with so many flowers and oils that it is too many to mention on the box that the bottle comes in.

The essence of ORCHID SEDUCTION to me is to explore the beauty within a woman who is sexy, intelligent, brilliant with everlasting appeal.

It features some of the most expensive fragrance notes...

 Top Notes: citrus blend of Bergamot, Lemon Italian, Mandarin Spanish

 Heart Notes: Iris, Lily of the Valley, Jasmin, Turkish Rose Oil

 Base Notes: Amber

  Marilyn Miglin will always be known to me as one of the most sophisticated women I have ever known in the beauty business who truly puts her wonderful heart in the products she creates but more importantly into the people she encounters.

 I do what I do in this huge industry of perfumery
to be a tiny but intricate part of the world that Mrs. Miglin encounters on a daily basis.

 I'm sure Mrs. Miglin doesn't remember me when we first met but I am and will also be inspired by her true dedication to the 'Art of Perfumery' as a designer who is well educated with a passion that is endless.

So, if this is any indication of what ORCHID SEDUCTION truly is, then it is the scent for you. It is not just a scent for the summer. It is scent for all seasons because to be like Marilyn Miglin you have to always be prepared for endless possibilities.


Purchase ORCHID SEDUCTION 1.7 fl oz/50 ml at HSN for $28.50 US Item# 191-698. www.hsn.com


To purchase other fragrances by Marilyn Miglin go to www.marilynmiglin.com


Photos courtesy of courtesy of www.chicagobusiness.com; www.hsn.com; and www.mapquest.com


F.H.


                                        

 



            

Noblesse Luxe Publishing
"Redefining the High Life"


                                                        Father's Day 2012

  This year for Father's Day, June 17th. I will spend time getting to know better the scent of  BAY RUM.
It comes from a bay rum tree but what is the origin and how did it get so popular in perfumes, especially for men.

  I will feature two perfumeries who are successful using Bay Rum in their fragrance(s).

  Stay tuned for more.

  
  Photo: Photo courtesy of www.seestjohn.com


  F.H.

Noblesse Luxe Publishing
"Redefining the High Life"


                       QUEEN ELIZABETH II 60TH ANNIVERSARY
                                        A Jubilee Showcase of Fragrances in her honor

  This week (June 2-4, 2012) marks the  DIAMOND JUBILEE celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  The Diamond Jubilee marks 60 years of Her Majesty remarkable reign as Queen of the United Kingdom since June 3, 1953.

  Due to this most momentous occasion there are several perfumeries who have created amazing and beautiful fragrances in Queen Elizabeth II honor.

  There are a total of six perfumeries claiming this honor of creating a 'royal fragrance' that is Fit for a Queen.

  Five of these perfumeries are located in the UK and the other one is located in the United States!

  You don't have to be British to partake in Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The Diamond Jubilee multinational celebrations are open to anyone who enjoy the pomp and circumstances of the Royal Family continued generation of power and those who simply love to watch the pageantry of it all.

  I will review each of these six fragrances and I invite you to take part as Fragrance Belles-Lettres Magazine celebrations with the United Kingdom in introducing you to these LIMITED EDITION fragrances.

  These fragrances are from Yardley of London, Grossmith of London, Floris of London, Pennhaligon of London, Clive Christian and Bond No. 9.

 Note:  Photo of Queen Elizabeth II courtesy of www.clivechristiannotts.blogspot.com



 F.H.

 The wife and muse of world famous couturier, Marcel Rochas died on August 6, 2011 at the age of 84.

 
  The beautiful and elegant, Helene Rochas acquired the house of Rochas after Rochas's death in 1955 at the age of 30.

 
  Helene Rochas was elected on the most elegant woman in the United States and like, Marcel she was an avid collector of sculptures and immersed herself in the world of Arts.   
    
  Helene Rochas will always be remembered as a     pioneer with the strength to expand a business and keep the memory of her husband alive by never wavering in her judgements of pursuing her own individual dreams to the fullest.

PHOTO CREDITS: House of Rochas

F.H.

        How Orange Trees Came to Versailles:   PRE-BASTILLE DAY  

  On Thursday, July 14, 2011 will be Independence Day in France or better known as BASTILLE DAY. The day when the French Monarchy which consisted of Kings and Queens no longer ruled and from that day on July 14, 1789 it became a celebration of the beginning of a new form of government.

  I celebrate BASTILLE DAY with my diplomatic friends and the citizens of France by during some historical fragrant research.

  It is apparent that July is a summer month and it gives me such an array of light and airy fragrances that surrounds the scene of summer.

  One of my favorite scents is orange and this to me consist of orange blossom, sweet orange, neroli, bitter orange, blood orange and orange blended with other fragrance notes.
 

 I have not yet completed this book but I did want to bring up my reason for this interesting issue of discovery on orange trees and Versailles (France). Orange trees are known to have originated in Burma. Later, infact 100 years latter, the orange trees were found in the gardens of Charles of Bourbon. In 1523 Charles of Bourbon's property was confiscated so the orange trees were moved to Chantilly in France. Next it  moved to Fontainbleau under King Louis XIII and finally it landed in Versailles in 1684.

 What does this all mean? To me it means that the simple luxury items that are in our midst such as fruits and vegetables are taken for granted and nowadays so excessible. Not so, hundreds and hundreds of years ago. It traveled many, many miles to have the luxury of a tree full of juicy robust sweet oranges in a garden for the vision of loveliness and to show that it is a source of wealth.

 Secondly, it shows how this luscious piece of fruit appears in the fragrance industry.  There are countless fragrances on the market that are composed of the orange. I personally love it and I cannot get enough of this tangy, sweet, citrus blossom of vibrant matters wafting on my skin and in the air.

 I am a part of an amazing group of people on Facebook that consist of a group named, Facebook Perfumistas. This is a closed group of fragrance devotees who review, discuss and analyze fragrances in the mass, niche and natural markets.

Petit Trianon

There are several books about the gardens of Trianon and how this opulent of glamour of such edible fruits and vegetables came to be in France.
MELOE by Teo Cabanel

                     WHITE GARDENIA PETALS

          The Fragrance of choice by the Duchess of Cambridge
                                  A Royal Moment in History

                                                     PART ONE


  I can remember my wedding day almost 11 years ago. All the details had to be picture perfect from the reception hall, musicians, food, dress, shoes, hair, makeup, facials, nails and last but not least, the perfume.


  My choice for a perfume was actually pretty simple. I chose my childhood favorite that was given to me by my mother as a gift and that was L’Air du Temps by Nina Ricci.


  I thought my wedding and reception was beautiful. It turned out to be better than I anticipated. However, to  plan a ROYAL WEDDING is completely different. My guest list was a capacity of 100 but for William & Catherine, the guest list for the wedding was 1,900 and for the reception is was for 600 people!


  Now, I truly understand, the royal couple had lots of help but they also have to include the media. Yes, the media and that include bloggers like me. So every detail has to be impeccable!


  The wedding of William & Catherine was simply beautiful and every detail was beautifully orchestrated. This is after the fact but months prior to the wedding, the media peculated on who is the designer for Catherine’s wedding dress. We now know that it was Sarah Burton for the fashion house for the late Alexander McQueen,  but little impact was given to what fragrance would she wear on her special day.

  Now, this is where I differ from the “media”. My profession is to blog about perfumes in the niche market. So, I was curious just as any other perfume aficionado on the choice of fragrance by Catherine.


  I heard about the wonderful gift commissioned by Roja Dove with Clive Christian for the royal couple. So, I perhaps thought maybe this is what Catherine would be wearing but this is not the case. I must admit, Catherine did an excellent job of keeping the details of her wedding attire secret even down to the perfume.

Michael Boadi

  It is no longer a secret, the truth is out and it is out in a BIG way. Catherine chose to wear WHITE GARDENIA PETALS from ILLUMINUM PERFUMES by British perfumer, Michael Boadi.


  To be honest in my personal opinion, WHITE GARDENIA PETALS couldn’t have been a more befitting choice for the newly, Duchess of Cambridge.


WHITE GARDENIA PETALS Eau de Parfum is part of a 16 fragrance collection that features four olfactory groups (citrus, floral, oud and musk). It embraces the top note with coconut and then it melts with heart notes of ylang-ylang, muguet (lily of the valley) and jasmine while the base of it all is amber wood.


 WHITE GARDENIA PETALS is recently launched this year and it comes in bottles of 50 and 100 ml for women and men.


  This is not the first notoriety for Michael Boadi from someone who is considered to be American Royalty and the First Lady of the United States.


  Mrs. Michelle Obama and President Obama while on their mission for diplomacy during the G20 Summit in the UK met Michael Boadi. It was reported that Mrs. Obama managed to sneak away without the media noticing to tell Mr. Boadi  that she heard so many wonderful news about his fragrance collection.


  Mrs. Obama, not by scent but by name alone, purchased three bottles of perfume from the Boadicea the Victorious Collection. The fragrances she purchased were NOBLE, DIVINE and DELICATE.


 This should tell you a lot about Mrs. Obama. She has incredible taste and thinks highly of herself.


  I look forward to hearing more about Michael Boadi now that the world knows he is the chosen perfumer for the Royals.





F.H.