Greetings to all Magnificent Mothers in the world! The May issue of Fragrance Belles-Lettres is about a great discovery from Simon Brooke, the great-great grandson of the founder, John Grossmith.
This wonderful tale of a true story starts in the city of London and the house of Grossmith is one of England's oldest perfume houses. The house of Grossmith provides a fabulous and lush history with the relaunch of three exquisite and classic scents that is sure to please every mother on the planet.
This issue will be available to you on May8th!
Today in city of Chicago was the most beautiful day in my hometown. I quickly noticed all of the colorful flowers as soon as I stepped out the front door but my son said he noticed them before I did because he looked out of the window. It was such a beautiful vision to see white flowers, then followed by the yellow and then the purple flowers grown after having a rough winter. There stood a shiny robin standing in the grass. My son ran to try and touch him but Mr. Robin was too quick and there my son stood looking disappointed at his defeat.
While I was surrounded by all of this springtime beauty, I thought about how a day like this looked in 18Th and 19Th centuries New Orleans, Louisiana.
Just row after row of beautiful colorful flowers layered with the scents of magnolia, orange blossom, mimosa and plumeria. The real beauty is that the house of Bourbon French Parfums captured those images in their bottles of fine fragrances to keep those beautiful spring days of yesteryear a lasting impression.
I want to thank Mary Behlar, Owner and House Perfumer for Bourbon French Parfums for taking the time out in answering my email and I want to thank Jelly/Jill at Bourbon French Parfums for sending my the wonderful and historic pictures to be used for this issue.
Arriving from France in 1843, August Doussan became the first full-time parfumeur in New Orleans. His skills and capabilities of blending flowers and spices into marvelous parfums became the sensation all over New Orleans but it was in most demand by the leading families in the city. Mr. Doussan established the Doussan French Perfumery in Vieux Carre.
Note: Where is Vieux Carre?
The French Quarter also known as Vieux Carre' is the oldest and most famous neighborhood in the city of New Orleans.
Louisiana was named in honor of King Louis XIV and with respect to this, the house of Bourbon French Parfums currently is located in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans. New Orleans has a colorful history that included life's earthly pleasure. From the colonial days of New Orleans to the present time, a unique group of people who have contributed to the most European city in America is known as the "Creoles". This rich tapestry of contribution by the Creoles includes sophisticated living with the finest that life had to offer in the areas of good food, excellent tobaccos, fine clothing and exquisite fragrances were all the grandeur in New Orleans.
Note: Who is a Creole?
Descendents of French, Spanish and Carribean slaves and natives; also come to mean any person who ancestry derives from the mixed nationalities in the Carribean.
August Doussan hired a young chemist named, J.H. Tindel who had learned perfumery in Europe. Doussan and Tindel marketed their secret formula that become highly successful, Eau de Cologne and other scents that were traditional brought from Europe and the Orient. Years later, Doussan's retired and passed it onto Tindel. He eventually changed the name to the French Perfume Company.
Under the leadership of J.H. Tindel, the shop prospered and new and exciting fragrances were discovered in Louisiana and fragrant notes from Central and South America were added to the collection. By this time, customers all over the country and in Europe were placing orders with the Bourbon French Perfume Company. Mr. Tindel needed more help so he hired Marguerite Acker who was only 17 years old to learn the ART OF PERFUMERY. Marguerite was a natural and a gifted young lady and in no time, she could correctly identify the ingredients of any perfume from its scent and soon she used her artistry to improve on existing fragrances.
Marguerite Acker got married several years later to Beauregard Caro. Mr. Caro was a prominent watch maker and the perfumes were now distributed under the Caro brand. Marguerite purchased the business and the perfume business continued to succeed.
In 1973, Marguerite's granddaughter, the lovely Alessandra Crain inherited the Bourbon French Perfume Company. Alessandra was also blessed with the gift of identifying fragrances by their scents or better known as the "le nez". Alessandra's talent inspired the creation of a fragrance, Voodoo Love.
Alessandra Crain sold the business in 1991 and it was bought by Mary Eleftorea Behlar, who is still the owner and House Perfumer. Mary also has the gift that is known as "le nez" and she has used this rare talent to develop new fragrances but still staying true to traditions began by August Doussan in 1843.
Mary has created countless fragrances for the Bourbon French Perfume Company or what is now called Bourbon French Parfums.
Mary's creations are Sesquessence-created to celebrate Bourbon French Perfumes 150th anniversary in business.
La Pluie- meaning 'the rain'
Jardin de Cour-meaning 'courtyard garden'
Antonis- named for her father
Eleftorea- Mary's Greek name.
Since 1843, Bourbon French Parfums haven't changed very much. Sure there has been major changes in the areas of introducing more exotic fragrances from around the world and wonderful and exquisite fragrances have been created with the rare talent of individuals who have a keen ability to recognize fragrances by the scents and the gift among these perfumeurs is known as, "le nez". But the method used in manufacturing fine fragrances according to this perfumery has remained the same.
According, to Mary Behlar, "the best methods are still the simplest, the most direct, the most natural".
This is exactly what has been done for the last 164 years!
This lovely scented collection comes in six fragrant florals that represent the southern gardens.
Each scent is tempting and smells exactly like the flower it represents. The scent speaks for itself.
This collection consist of...
Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Magnolia, Olive Blossom, Plumeria and White Gardenia
These fine fragrances can be purchased at neworleansperfume.com
The object of their affections. The object of their desires. That is what Voodoo Love parfum is all about. It is the re-creation of the potion that well known American voodoo priestess gave her clients. This well known, voodoo priestess is Marie Laveau, a Free Women of Color born in 1794. She became the most famous and powerful Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. She was respected yet feared by all. Voodoo in New Orleans was a blend of West African religion and Catholicism. Marie Laveau, specialized in romance and finance.
Marie Laveau died in 1881 and is buried at St. Louis Cemetery in New Orleans. Her tomb is the focal point of travel to New Orleans by all those who have marveled at her abilities.
Voodoo Love parfum was created by Alessandra Crain, former owner of the Bourbon French Perfume Company.
Voodoo Love gives a dark and mysterious vibe with many years of decadence and decay. It is a gorgeous scent that is long lasting with notes of cinnamon and amber. An old world flavor that reminds me on New Orleans centuries ago.
This scent can be purchased at neworleansperfume.com
The Florals Southern Favorites Vintage and Exotic are simply the icons and are carefully blended by hand to give the essence of the flower. There are some scents in the Southern, Vintage and Exotic categories that I mentioned in the Fragrant Florals of the South perfume review. But here are the remaining scents for each of these categories listed.
Southern Favorites
Honeysuckle, Narcisse, Vanille, Vertivert
Vintage
Anastasia, English Lavender, French Lavender, Heliotrope, Lilac Mimosa, Rose, Sweet Pea, Tea Rose and Violet
Exotic
Bergamot, Frangipani, Freesia, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Tuberose and White Ginger
This collection can be purchased at neworleansperfume.com
The Bourbon French Collection consist of six 1/8 ounce exclusive perfumes featuring... Kus Kus, La Pluie, Sans Nom, La Vie Nouvelle, Marguerite and Perfume of Paradise
Here is a short and sweet look at what I think of the following fragrances in terms of how it has captured me. This entire collection is created with supreme craftsmanship and much attention to details.
Kus Kus is a soft, warm and intoxicating
La Pluie smells like fresh rain pouring off the trees
La Vie Nouvelle is beautiful, light fresh scent to be worn on a sunny afternoon
Marguerite is light and clean but with a spicy edge just to get noticed
Perfume of Paradise is hot and steamy with a sexy spicy feel.
These fragrances can be ordered at neworleansperfume.com
The exciting and springtime exotic issue of BOURBON FRENCH PARFUMS from New Orleans, Louisiana will debut on Friday, April 16th.
The BOURBON FRENCH PERFUME COMPANY has a history of over 164 years of exquisite craftsmanship of high end fragrances that provided aristocratic clients from all over the world wonderful parfums for men and women.
Please join the BOURBON FRENCH PARFUMS family in sharing this rich heritage and amazing history of parfums.
The exotic, the mystic and the aroma of fragrant flowers in southern New Orleans has an exciting history of over 164 years of romantic perfumes fit for anyone dreaming of a garden oasis of colorful petals and dripping scents of yesteryear.
This month, the house of Bourbon French Parfums will move your spirit with the re-creation of 'Voodoo Love' inspired by the life of a famous voodoo queen.
You are cordially invited to the soiree of Bourbon French Parfums. This April edition is sure to bring a rainbow after the end of the rainfall.
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