Fragrance Belles-Lettres Magazine

Fragrance Belles-Lettres: The Magazine is an online fragrance magazine established in 2009 dedicated to niche perfumes which includes natural/organic perfumes. This magazine is created to explore vintage and modern with a journalistic approach and an aristocratic flair. This magazine consist of perfume reviews, articles and exclusive interviews conducted with industry leaders, perfumers and authors. Fragrance Belles-Lettres: The Magazine is published through NOBLESSE LUXE PUBLISHING LLC.

COVERAGE OF FIFI AWARDS UK WITH NATHALIE GRAINGER

Posted by Unknown 14 April, 2011 0 comments

Today is the FIFI AWARDS UK!

Fragrance Belles-Lettres: The Magazine is proud to announce that NATHALIE GRAINGER, Head of Sales & Marketing at QUINTESSENTIALLY PUBLISHING (LONDON) and the Perfume Consultant & Expert for the book, QUINTESSENTIALLY PERFUME will give an EXCLUSIVE review of the FIFI AWARDS UK and pictures!

Nathalie states, "400 books of QUINTESSENTIALLY PERFUME will be donated for the Guest Goodie Bags & QUINTESSENTIALLY TV is filming the event in part and interview guests.

Stay tune for this exciting adventure!

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FIFI AWARDS UK

Posted by Unknown 13 April, 2011 0 comments

On Thursday, April 14, 2011 the FIFI AWARDS UK will be held at the Banqueting House, one of London's historic places.
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I had the ultimate pleasure of speaking to one of the perfumeries that have made it to the FINALS in the BEST NEW INDEPENDENT NICHE FRAGRANCES category that was supported by BASENOTES!

In honor of this occasion, this perfumery (which shall be nameless for now) will be a part of the Fragrance Belles-Lettres: The Magazine GIVEAWAY!
Stay tune for more information to come.

Felicia M. Hazzard
Editor in Chief

PHOTO CREDIT: BASENOTES.NET

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WEDDING BOUQUET by FLORIS

Posted by Unknown 12 April, 2011 0 comments

WEDDING BOUQUET

The ROYAL fragrance that honors a ROYAL wedding

FLORIS, the Purveyors of the finest perfumes and toiletries to the Court of St. James since the year of 1730, has honored the ‘Celebration of Marriage’ of HRH Prince William and Catherine Middleton with a white floral eau de parfum.

   The house of FLORIS is equipped to handle such as an occasion as this with a delicate fragrance bursting with white symbolic flowers that will ‘seal the crest’ of love for Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

   WEDDING BOUQUET is part of the PRIVATE COLLECTION with a lush mix of eternal love, innocence and happiness to make any marriage complete but in this case we are talking about the Royal Wedding to take place in approximately 18 days!

   Everything has to be in tip-top shape with a long list of royal and celebrity guests, the blend of choirs in the Westminster Abbey and of course, the flowers.

WEDDING BOUQUET is composed by Master and house perfumer, Shelagh Foyle who used traditional flowers with a language of their own and added a ‘special message’ in WEDDING BOUQUET that focuses on the past wedding fragrances from the house of FLORIS that now has a modern twist using a white flower theme that is exclusive for Prince William and Catherine.

Shelagh Foyle, Perfumer

WEDDING BOUQUET is created exclusively to honor the marriage and it is intended to bless Prince William and Catherine with the spoken flowers such as the following.

Jasmine to signify eternal love, Lily of the valley says ‘you have made my life complete’, Orange Blossom signifies innocence and marriage and Stephanotis signifies happiness in marriage. There are other notes that makes WEDDING BOUQUET the fairytale fragrance for the twenty-first century with…

Top Notes: bergamot, lemon, lily of the valley, marine

Heart Notes: jasmine, orange blossom, stephanotis

Base Notes: musk, sandalwood

Did you get your wedding invitation in the mail? No, I didn’t get one either, but at least you get exclusive insight to Royal love with WEDDING BOUQUET, the only exclusive fragrance created for the Royal couple by FLORIS.

PURCHASE: florislondon.com 100 ml

PHOTO CREDIT: florislondon.com, mamapop.com, gossip.whyframe.com, wedwebtalks.com

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L'Eau de Parfum 6 by Ida Delam

Posted by Unknown 07 April, 2011 0 comments

L' Eau Parfum 6

The fragrance that captures the essence of Gabrielle Chanel

IDA DELAM

According to a survey in December 2009 from a poll of women it boldly stated, “Chanel No. 5 rated ‘most seductive scent’ in poll of women”. I recently read a fabulous book, The Secret of CHANEL NO. 5: The Intimate History of the World’s Most Famous Perfume by Tilar J. Mazzeo (2010) exclaims that “Chanel No.5 is one of the few remaining “legacy” perfumes.

So, in other words, Chanel No. 5 is voted the world’s sexiest perfume and is still No. 1 in the hearts of women worldwide.

I am always amazed at how fashion designer, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel came from humble beginnings with a life at an early age experienced the loss of her mother to tuberculosis and shortly afterwards her father abandoned Gabrielle and her brothers. Gabrielle was sent to a convent abbey known as Aubazine.

Young Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel

Aubazine for Gabrielle was a blessing in disguise and in The Secret of CHANEL NO. 5: The Intimate History of the World’s Most Famous Perfume, Tilar J. Mazzeo explains that life at Aubazine for the young Gabrielle was of hard work and strict discipline but for Gabrielle “it was focused on clothing. There was nothing luxurious about it, however. Days were spent washing laundry and mending, and it was here that she learned, of course, to sew.”

The key word is “to sew”. Although at that time, Gabrielle did not realize it but that is what made her into the person we know as "Maison de Couture"(House of Couture). It was a way out of nowhere and due to this humble beginning into a lap of luxury as a fashion designer and then it got better with the launch of the world’s best selling perfume, Chanel No. 5.

It wasn’t so much that Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel was a success. Yes, this had to do a lot with it but the idea that an extremely poor girl that what looked like no bright future in sight could and did rise to be the most loved fashion designer with the most loved perfume in the world.

Coco Chanel gives hope to the hopeless and what seems small now can become the world’s best loved (you fill in the blank) is what I love most about the story behind Chanel No. 5 and this is also what inspired, Ida Delam. You may not know the name of Ida Delam as you do, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel but her Chanel No. 5 inspired fragrance, L' Eau de Parfum 6 has all the qualifications of Chanel No.5 but in a natural format.

Le Six Spa

Ida Delam is a young pretty brunette (like Gabrielle) based in France and became the owner of Le Six Spa at the turn of the century in 2000. As a child, Ida admire the talents of Coco Chanel and as she got older, Ida realize how important and magical the life of Coco Chanel became so she decided to look into having a perfume created to represent the essence of Chanel No. 5 as a tribute to Coco Chanel.

I see how deeply the soul of Coco Chanel runs through the veins of Ida Delam. Le Six Spa and the perfumery are just down the street from the Chanel flagship store located at 31 Rue Cambon and how L' Eau de Parfum 6 likes its predecessor and model reveals an aldehydic facet.

L' Eau de Parfum 6 is a clean scent. The idea of “clean” was very important with Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel once she met a courtesan, Emilienne d’Alencon in high society of France. Tilar J. Mazzeo mentions in the book that “the smell of something at once clean and sensual that was the combination Coco Chanel admired”.

The sensual aspect of L' Eau de Parfum 6 is the star anise that gives a warm and moving sensation and the lushness of musk to tone down the bitterness of star anise with a nice gesture of vanilla to sweeten the moment. L'Eau de Parfum 6 features…

Top Notes: Almond, Star Anise, Aldehyde

Heart Notes: Myrrh, Iris, Violet

Base Notes: Musk, Vanilla, White Amber

Ida knew exactly what she wanted her fragrance to represent, but she had to find the perfumer that could turn her vision into reality. It was important that a relationship be cultivated so with luck, Ida met a young man named, Fabrice Olivieri.

Ida wanted the essence of the fragrance to be clean, sensual and a wink at Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel.

Coco Chanel knew the type of perfume she wanted and it would take a special perfumer to create it. Her quest was met when Ernest Beaux accepted the assignment.

Fabrice Olivieri, a Master Perfumer and owner of Trendslab in France knew exactly what Ida wanted and to give that clean scent that made Chanel No. 5 so successful was due to the aldehyde. Aldehyde and the combination of the of the other fragrance notes is a virtual creation of Chanel No. 5

This fragrance tells the story of the past, puts the essence into the soul of Ida Delam in the present and the success of L' Eau de Parfum 6 has a longevity future like Chanel No. 5.

I love the quote, “Never judge a book by its cover”. This is so true, what may look like it has little to no future, will jump up and grab you by surprise and become the household name of tomorrow. Ida got the message loud and clear and that is why you now know the name of Ida Delam and L' Eau de Parfum 6.

THE INTERVIEW

1) Ida, qu’admirez-vous le plus par rapport a Gabrielle « COCO » Chanel?
    Ida, what is it about Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel that you most admire?

I have always been in love with fashion and beauty like many young girls and therefore (I admire) Coco Chanel because she was forward thinking- avant-garde - and resolutely modern. Initially I discovered the brand: Chanel, then its creator: Coco and finally the woman: Gabrielle.

J’ai toujours adoré la mode et la beauté comme beaucoup de jeunes filles et Coco Chanel parce qu’elle était avant- gardiste et résolument moderne.

J’ai d’abord découvert une marque : Chanel, ensuite la créatrice : Coco et enfin une femme : Gabrielle.

2) Quelles sont les similarités entre l’eau de parfum Chanel N°5 et Le 6 d’Ida Delam ?
    What are the similarities between L' Eau de Parfum 6 and Chanel No. 5?

There is no similarity between the two. I just wanted to pay homage to Coco Chanel by launching my own eau de parfum and to call it Le 6 as a nod, as acknowledgment to her.

Il n y a aucune similitude, j’avais juste envie de rendre un hommage à Coco Chanel en lançant mon eau de parfum et en l’appelant Le 6 comme un clin d’œil.

3) Ida Delam, diriez-vous que l’eau de parfum Le 6 est naturelle ?
     Ida, would you say that L' Eau de Parfum 6 is a natural perfume?

    Oh yes! My friend Fabrice Olivieri, the perfumer who worked on the eau de parfum ‘Le 6’ has created something exceptional.

Oh oui ! Mon ami et parfumeur Fabrice Olivieri qui a travaillé sur L’eau de parfum « Le 6 » a fait un travail exceptionnel.

4) Que dois transmettre l’Eau de parfum Le 6 aux femmes qui le portent ?
     What should L' Eau de Parfum 6 convey to women who wear it?

A new fragrance that makes you feel beautiful and attractive.

Une nouvelle fragrance qui fait que l’on se sent belle et séduisante.

5) Ida Delam, si Gabrielle Chanel était encore en vie, qu’aimeriez qu’elle pense de l’hommage que vous lui faites ?
    Ida, if Coco Chanel were alive today, what would like her to think of L' Eau de Parfum?

To create a brand and to place it on the market requires enormous energy and I am sure that she would have been really touched by what I have done in paying homage to her. Her work is exemplary to me, it stands for the sort of work I aspire to and as I learned about her life, I came to understand that you absolutely need discipline in order to succeed in life. She is a role model and inspiration to me...

Crée une marque et la mettre sur le marché demande une énergie incroyable et je suis certaine qu’elle aurait était très touchée par ma démarche en lui rendant cette hommage, elle est un exemple de travail pour moi et en lisant et en découvrant sa vie, j’ai compris qu’il fallait pour réussir avoir une discipline .Elle est pour moi un modèle et mon inspiration…

Thank you Felicia

Merci Félicia

Ida,

PURCHASE: idadelam.com     75euros
Master Perfumer, Fabrice Olivieri. contact@trendslab.fr

PHOTO CREDITS: thefrenchsampler.com, gloss.com, olemiss.edu, idadelam.com, Ida Delam
(Facebook)

The Secret of CHANEL NO.5: The Intimate History of the World's Most Famous Perfume by Tilar J. Mazzeo
Published by HarperCollins   harpercollins.com
Tilar J. Mazzeo, author    tilar-mazzeo.com

*SPECIAL THANK YOU to Nathalie Grainger of Quintessentially Publishing in London for the language translation. Nathalie I am extremely greatful to you.

********NOTE TO FANS OF IDA DELAM******
Ida Delam has moved from LE SIX SPA and now it is called LE SPA IDA DELAM 6 rue de Bellefond Paris, France.

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TUBEROSE & ISLES LOINTAINES by Keiko Mercheri Parfums

Posted by Unknown 29 March, 2011 0 comments

TUBEROSE & ISLES LOINTAINES

The Paradise Garden of Keiko Mercheri Parfums

The white flower stands along in its achievement to enchant, mystify and possess such powers of beauty and scent.

The jasmine and gardenia flowers are the queen of essential oils known for its heady, luscious and potent aroma. However, with the blend of tuberose flower and the blend of the Tahitian tiare you get two uniquely fragrances that becomes edgy in scent and exotic in another scent of the white flower.

    TUBEROSE and ISLES LOINTAINES by Keiko Mercheri Parfums are the two new fragrances added to the grand collection of fragrances for this perfumery.

    Keiko Mercheri Parfums are known for luxurious fragrances of faraway places longing to be discovered and admired for its natural beauty.

    TUBEROSE EAU DE PARFUM is a blend of crystalline jasmine that is not overly heavy but it is translated into a cool and edgy inspiration.

This fragrance features notes of tuberose, jasmine, rose, petit grain, vanilla, benzoin and precious woods.

ISLES LOINTAINES EAU DE PARFUM is a blend of white floral that are indeed my favorite that captures the essence of the island of Tahiti. ISLES LOINTAINES contains elaborate amounts of gardenia and tiare also known as ‘Tahitian Gardenia’. This seaside beauty of a scent is wrapped in seductive sweetness.

This fragrance features notes of sweet almond, gardenia, tuberose, jasmine, rose, vanilla and benzoin.

TUBEROSE and ISLES LOINTAINES are two exceptional fragrances that makes the Keiko Mercheri Parfums that much more valuable to fans of this fragrance line. These two fragrances are for women seeking inspiration and ambitious encounters with the unknown and reaping the benefits of a creative mind.

PURCHASE: keikomercheri.com luckyscent.com

PHOTO CREDIT: moorings.com, keikomercheri.com, luckyscent.com

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Christopher Joseph Parfums

Posted by Unknown 26 March, 2011 0 comments

CHRISTOPHER JOSEPH PARFUMS

The Scent of a moment in Time

   Is it the way she walks, talks and laughs. It is her smile, her thoughtfulness and her compassion that attracts you. Is it the scent of her that left you baffled by her exquisite beauty and intelligence? If it is the scent of her that captured your attention, then it was created by Christopher Joseph Parfums.

   Christopher Joseph Parfums is known for exquisite scents that leave an everlasting presence that you will always remember. This floral scent is etched in the finest ingredients that are manufactured in the US.

   The designers behind Christopher Joseph Parfums were challenged to create the ultimate fragrance for women that is feminine, long lasting and stirs the image of seduction and romance. Christopher Joseph Parfums evokes all these qualities and leaves those in the presence of the woman wearing it simple spellbound.

Christopher Joseph Parfums is made with grapefruit, musk and tincture of rose and it comes in a beautiful crystal bottle with a delicate light petal-pink color scent that captures the elegance of the blushing beauty.

The diamond top sits with the Christopher Joseph seal that reigns as the royal crown of elegance and prestige.

Christopher Joseph Parfums is timelessness and is meant for all the most precious moments in your life.

Christopher Joseph Parfums was launched in 2009.

PURCHASE: parfumsbycj.com

Photo Credit: parfumsbycj.com

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CHRISTOPHER JOSEPH PARFUMS CONTEST

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CHRISTOPHER JOSEPH PARFUMS and Fragrance Belles-Lettres:The Magazine is hosting a giveaway of one 1.7 oz/50 ml Eau de Parfum (EDP) spray for women that was introduced in the summer of 2009.

The scent is captivating with a citrus zest for life with a beautiful delicate pink tint of the scent for the blushing beauty.

To obtain your free bottle of CHRISTOPHER JOSEPH PARFUMS, go to gizagoddess@live.com and enter Christopher Joseph on the subject line and then add your name.

Good Luck to all and the winners will be announced shortly!

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Fragrance Belles-Lettres Est 2009 CHICAGO

The word "belles lettres" is a French phrase meaning "beautiful or "fine writing. Since this is a term to describe a category of writing, this will pertain to my passion about fragrances. I will review niche,natural, artisan and designer perfumes from all over the world. I write with passion but will use my journalistic skills that I obtained in college. Not only will I feature fragrances but I will feature new books on fragrances/perfumes, fragrance events and interview authors and perfumers.

I hope you take this journey with me and begin your own passion for the ART OF PERFUMERY!

Fragrance Belles-Lettres Magazine is a division of Noblesse Luxe Publication.

Felicia M. Hazzard
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief