"Joint Perception" - Byredo and Oliver Peoples
“Joint Perception” – Byredo and Oliver Peoples

Stockholm based niche fragrance house Byredo have teamed up with Californian sunglasses brand Oliver Peoples for a scented collaboration that pairs stylish eyewear with an equally fashionable fragrance. Inspired by the idea of synesthesia, the “joint perception of the senses”, where one can see colours or shapes when experiencing certain smells, a California-inspired fragrance was created to evoke the idea of a land seen through the varying shades of different coloured lenses. The result is a fragrance that is spicy, marine-like and warm, and in a link to the lense colours, is available in Byredo’s signature bottle shaded in either indigo, champagne or green to match the limited edition sunglasses.

“The conception of the collaboration was achieved through Byredo’s master perfume perceiving the sights of Los Angeles through different coloured lenses, and translating them into various smells, therefore producing a multi-faceted fragrance. This unique effort has resulted in an original frame designed by Oliver Peoples, through which the color of the lenses will correlate with the aroma of the custom blended fragrance by Byredo”

– Byredo/Oliver Peoples

"Joint Perception" Byredo
“Joint Perception” Byredo
"Joint Perception" Oliver Peoples
“Joint Perception” Oliver Peoples

Byredo and Oliver Peoples have created a space in the London department store Selfridges where customers can experience the fragrance, frames and lenses together. This retail space allows one to pick out the eyewear and fragrance bottle that speak to them, and is an interesting exercise in understanding what the individual eye is drawn to. Also, as we are so led by the marketing and packaging of our fragrances, it’s quite fascinating to see whether the fragrance itself is perceived differently when smelled in each of the three bottle shades. Does the indigo highlight the marine notes or does the champagne accentuate the warm sand? Intrigued by this, and the scent? Swing by on Monday for a full review.

A New Bohemia: Mimosa & Cardamom by Jo Malone London
A New Bohemia: Mimosa & Cardamom by Jo Malone London

This September, British fragrance brand, Jo Malone London are set to expand their cologne collection with the addition of ‘Mimosa & Cardamom‘.  Described as evoking a “new bohemia”, the fragrance was created by perfumer Marie Salamagne (Incense & Cedrat and Silk Blossom) pairs the spicy and exotic tones of cardamom with the plush, hazy tones of mimosa and tonka bean. The result is a well-travelled fragrance that displays a variety of textures and colours.

“A new bohemia awaits. Mists of honeyed, golden mimosa float above the spiciness of freshly crushed cardamom. Creamy tonka and sandalwood woven under powdery heliotrope and Damask rose picked at dawn. Warm, ethereal, mesmerising.”

– Jo Malone London

Poppy Delevingne
Poppy Delevingne – The First Jo Malone London Girl

Jo Malone London have announced that “model, designer and fashion ambassador”, Poppy Delevingne has been chosen as the brand’s first ‘Jo Malone London Girl’. During her residencey, Delevingne will represent Jo Malone London’s spirit of “sophistication, originality, wit and hospitality” on a global scale, in addition to curating and hosting a “series of special events – both grand and cosy”, and offering her “expertise and dynamism to a spectrum of projects over the next year”. On her appointment, Delevingne says:

“I’ve been wearing Red Roses since I was 22. The first thing that drew me to my husband James was his scent, and when I asked him what it was he said, Amber & Lavender. My home is overflowing with Jo Malone London candles and I scented my wedding with Orange Blossom, which still gives me butterflies. Jo Malone London is woven into the fabric of my life and I couldn’t be happier to be working with a brand I love so much.”

– Poppy Delevingne, Jo Malone London Girl

“It is a unique magazine; there are no other publications that explore the sense of smell alone.”

– Liam Moore

ODOU, the magazine dedicated to the world of smell and fragrance, has taken to kickstarter to help launch its fourth issue. The brainchild of Liam Moore, ODOU explores smell through poetry, photography, personal stories and interviews, just to name a few of its mediums, and is already gaining a massive following. Last year, the magazine won the much-coveted Jasmine Literary Award, and this year it has gained no less than six nominations (requesting permission to brag – including an article of mine in issue three) – and that’s all by the third issue. ODOU has got off to an impressive start, for sure.

I’ve had the privilege of writing for ODOU and I have faith that issue four will be just as fascinating and moving as the first three. I will definitely be backing the kickstarter, not only because I think it will be a success, but because there is nothing quite like it on the market. This magazine beautifully outlays some of the best olfactory content out there, in a way that nobody else does. It deserves to be huge. For more info on ODOU and Liam’s crowdfunding, or to back the project, click here to visit the magazine’s kickstarter page. Also, for a quote from Liam re the project, just head below the jump.

Funky indie perfumery, 4160 Tuesdays has announced that they are crowdfunding seven seriously sinful new fragrances as part of a collection entitled ‘Crimes of Passion’. Sarah McCartney, the brand’s perfumer, has turned to crowdfunding in order to allow for lab time to create the scents, as well as some nifty materials to put in them. Here’s what Sarah has to say:

“At 4160Tuesdays we’re making seven new perfumes, The Crimes of Passion series – scents so beautiful you would follow whoever wears them to the end of the world just to smell them again.  (That’s the plan anyway. No promises.) We make perfumes for people who love the way they smell, and we don’t declare that they’re for men or women. We prefer to let our customers decide what they like for themselves.”

 

 – Sarah McCartney

At the time of writing, Sarah has already achieved 39% of her £7,000 goal, and that’s only since 27 February! To read more about what Sarah’s up to, or to see what perfume perks are on offer click here to head over to the 4160 Tuesdays Indiegogo crowdfunding page – you can also watch the video above. I for one am really excited to see what she comes up with!

 

New from Neela Vermeire Creations: 'Pichola'
New from Neela Vermeire Créations: ‘Pichola’

French/Indian niche brand, Neela Vermeire Créations, is set to launch their sixth fragrance  in the coming months. Entitled ‘Pichola’ (pronounced Pitchola), this fragrance continues the house’s exploration of India in a perfume that takes its name, and inspiration from one of India’s most famous lakes within Rajasthan. Pichola, subtitled ‘Majestic Reflections’, has been described as adding a “new twist” to the range.

“A myriad of colourful historic, architectural and spiritual reflections fall on this splendid body of water – the sunlight and moonlight of each season bringing out the eternal and timeless beauty of Lake Pichola. Our latest fragrance captures such countless reflections on the lake from the past to the present – showcasing the splendour of opulent and vibrant flowers, princely spices and precious woods taking us on an unforgettable and hypnotic fragrant journey. Once you have experienced the diverse and stunning beauty of these indescribable reflections you will understand the true meaning of timeless luxury and effortless beauty….”

– Neela Vermeire

New from Les Exclusifs de Chanel: Misia
New from Les Exclusifs de Chanel: Misia

Well here’s some news for you! Chanel is adding a new fragrance to its exclusive collection ‘Les Exclusifs de Chanel’. The fragrance is called ‘Misia’ and is the latest addition to the Chanel Exclusives since 2013’s 1932. The name pays homage to Misia Sert, piano player, artistic saloon owner and best buddy (well, friend) of none other than Coco Chanel, the founder of the Chanel brand.

Misia is the first fragrance created for Chanel by Oliver Polge (Dior Homme), the son of famous Chanel perfumer, Jacques Polge (Coco, Coco Mademoiselle, Antaeus and Egoiste etc.). The fragrance has been designed to be evocative of the 1920s, with prominent notes of Turkish rose and rose from Grasse. Misia is a fragrance “for the free and confident woman.”

"The Reality of Love" - A Blend of Putain des Palaces and Dangerous Complicity
“The Reality of Love” – A Blend of Putain des Palaces and Dangerous Complicity

Serendipitously following my review of Putain des Palaces today, rebellious perfume punks Etat Libre d’Orange have announced the launch of their latest fragrance entitled, ‘True Lust Rayon Violet de ses Yeux‘. Launching 01 February online at Etat Libre d’Orange, True Lust is a blend of two popular fragrances within the brand’s collection, namely Dangerous Complicity, and the aforementioned Putain des Palaces. Bearing the tagline “the reality of love”, the fragrance is described as a “sweet and shocking folly”.

“When the Putain des Palaces enters into a Dangerous Complicity, a relationship is born. It is a marriage of mystery, an uneasy merger of hearts and minds and flesh. A blend of Putain des Palaces and Dangerous Complicity, a union of temptation and peril.”

– Etat Libre d’Orange

This launch comes hot on the heels of Etat Libre d’Orange’s big shift in direction, which saw them launch their first Cologne (and it really was a cologne) as well as their first flanker (Rien Intense Incense). All of which came after the brand launched a fragrance called La Fin du Monde (The End of the World) and stated that they may start doing things a little bit differently. Who knows what will be next? But for now, further details on True Lust are below the jump.

The 1996 Candle from Byredo
The 1996 Candle from Byredo

Swedish perfume house, Byredo have launched their popular and Fragrance Foundation Award winning fragrance, 1996 as a limited edition candle. The fragrance, which was created in collaboration with fashion photographers Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, was inspired by a photograph taken by the duo in 1996, and is described as a scent that “combines polar opposites” and boasts a distinct accord of “viscous black amber”.

1996 was one of my favourite launches of 2013 and in my review I described it as being “sepia toned”. It’s an unfamiliar take on amber that sees sharpness, sweetness and unique textures pieced together to create a truly exceptional blend that is really unlike anything else out there. It is easily the brand’s most exciting fragrance and now, for those that love it, there is a candle too!

Limited Edition - L'Amour Lalique Crystal Flacon
Limited Edition – L’Amour Lalique Crystal Flacon

In time for Valentine’s Day 2015, venerable glassware house Lalique will launch an exclusive collector’s edition of their popular L’Amour Lalique fragrance (composed by Nathalie Lorson) in Extrait de Parfum. This limited edition is housed within a beautiful Lalique crystal flacon, inspired by the stained glass windows designed by René Lalique for Japanese emperor, Asaka Yasuhiko. The four windows were created especially for the drawing room in the emperor’s Tokyo palace, and were displayed at the Salon d’Automne in Paris in 1932.

“A radiant, emotional celebration of femininity, L’Amour is now showcased in the most sumptuous gift a perfume can be offered : a softly curved crystal bottle whose precious stopper is also inspired by René Lalique’s 1932 masterwork for the Japanese Prince Asaka Yasuhiko. Its feathers form the rose window motif decorating the top of the stopper, and its rim is festooned with flower garlands, delicately trimmed with hand-painted gold. The fragrance poured into this exceptional bottle reinvents L’Amour as an Extrait de Parfum. A rarer, more intense, more passionate, but also more sensual interpretation.”

– Lalique