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First we have Guerlain's super-limited annual Le Muguet 2016 edition: this year it promises to be a new formula, not just a different bottle and concentration game. The company itself, after all, is historic., so extra care is given to accuracy. More info on Fragrantica.
Then there's Chanel's Boy (probably going out to play with Dior's Girl, engaging in puberty love. All right, Chanel is probably the ONLY firm who can graft such a gauche name to their Les Exclusifs boutique line; Boy Capel, after whom the new fragrance is named, is canon after all.
The fact that the scent is masculine but could be worn by women as well is an added bonus, like the boyish cut styles Coco Chanel made her own.
And last but not least there's Muguet Porcelaine by Hermes, them of the scarves fame, in the boutique-only Hermessences line, a green lily of the valley. Since perfumer Jean Claude Ellena, he of best-selling fragrances fame, has been working on this idea for a long time, perhaps longer that he has ever admitted to, taking into account that Roudnitska was his mentor, it should be interesting. Lily of the valley has served for soap-clean references for ages, so let's see what happens.
Curious re the Chanel, and anything green is going to attract my attention...(I understand why, bc lawyers for major international companies are scary, but that one can no longer buy nice samples of Chanel scents with any ease from the usual suspects is highly irritating - if I went to my local store & asked for one, how do you think I'd go?)
ReplyDeleteI am disabled and housebound. For the longest time I wanted to buy Jersey, probably both the parfum and the edt as that's how I usually roll - but so much money for a blind buy in lavender (and to be honest, having bought Misia last year which, while lovely, lasts 20 minutes on me) gave me pause. My beloved husband volunteered to stop in Center City Philadelphia at a Chanel counter to ask if he could have a small sample of Jersey for me to try. He was only trying to get one of the tiny sprays you see for sale on Ebay. He works at a law firm and dresses business casual. He said they were beyond haughty and right on into rude when telling him that Chanel doesn't give away free samples - they made him feel like a small, nasty rodent. He's a very sweet, calm man, and I felt awful for sending him into such a lion's den. Apparently where we live Chanel samples are only available to SAs to sell on Ebay, or something like that. I lost interest in Jersey and enjoy my Jicky just fine these days. =)
DeleteLaura,
Deletesorry for being late in replying. And sorry for your current condition, my sincere sympathies.
I do also feel extremely sorry for your husband who was treated like that. It's very very mean to withhold samples that are supposed to go to customers interested in actually buying something. Then again, this is how Chanel got a reputation, so I'm sure it's not totally random or unintentional.
But it does reflect very bad on them.
Personally I have moved my business to Hermes a looooooong time ago: they're extremely courteous and truly kind in the best sense of the word. A whole different attitude; same high class, but totally different attitude. Plus it's a hellenic-sympathetic company. ;-)
It does sound very interesting.
DeleteI think the best policy for samples anyplace, not just Chanel, is to schedule them around a purchase, no matter how small. It's the chance to pounce and ask outright for things you're interested in.
Now, of course, we know Chanel SAs are not forthcoming. In that case I think it might prove nice to "alarm" them that samples ARE available through Ebay and that they're going to lose your commission. All in a hint, not a threat. Very haughtily though spoken too, because after all, "you're worth it" as well!
It depends on the SA really. I met a passionate one when I was lurking around the Les Exclusif for the first time. I ended up chatting about classic perfumes like Fougère Royale, the baudruchage, et cetera. She was impressed and asked me for my age. Before I left, she gave me 17 vials of the Les Exclusifs. She told me not to let her colleagues know and that she wanted me to have it as a fellow perfume lover! She told me to come by on weekday evenings when her colleagues were not around. Once she even opened a champagne for me when I told her I successfully defended my thesis! I wrote anonymously to Chanel to inform them of her exceptional customer service.
DeleteOnce I bought a No.5 EdT for my mother from another colleage of hers, she gave me only two samples of Allure Homme Sport Extreme :/
I sold on the china and crystal floor at Tiffany's when I was a kid. The "lifers" as we called them, would ignore many people who came off the elevators, looking for help. I always went over to offer assistance. Once I remember I got a customer who turned out to be the self-made gazillionaire who built Levittown in Long Island after WWII. He and his wife wanted demistasse cups only priced over $100.00 for their yacht, the "Simone". I got a lovely commission. I would never be rude to a customer, commission or not. I am so sorry that happened to Laura's husband!
ReplyDeleteMy mother was born on the first of May and we called her the May Queen. We had lily of the valley all over the sides of our front driveway, in the shade. I would help her separate it when it need to be replanted, when I was a little girl. The smell of the lily of the valley and the fresh earth was wonderful!
This is one hell of a story, Jean, thanks for sharing with us!
DeleteCommission or no commission an assistant is supposed to assist. To help. To offer help at least. Not turn up her nose.
And what a lovely birthday for your mother, May Queen is such a lovely nickname! These memories stick with us forever, don't they.
I hope this works Helg ..... this is for you Laura Keller and your lovely husband !
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2c5noQGYQo
"You only work for a shop you know - you can drop the attitude!" LOL So TRUE !!!!!
It's indeed so true. Some SAs are so haughty.
DeleteAnd perfect choice for an actress, I guess. Natascha McElhroy (sp?) always reads as haughty in her roles; I don't know why!!
I would love either of the Muguets. It is almost time for my own lilies of the valley to be starting to grow out under my pine trees. Spring is so wonderful this far north.
ReplyDeleteIsabella
Is it to late to enter this one? I would love to try either of the muguets.
ReplyDeleteIsabella
Is it too late to enter this? I would love either of the Muguets. Am having trouble commenting with safari. Will try my phone next.
ReplyDeleteIsabella in the Noth
is it too late for me to enter this? I would love either of the Muguets. for some reason I still can not comment on my computer or with Safari, so am hoping this will work on my phone. best wishes.
ReplyDeleteIsabella of the Nnorth
Wow - I apologize for posting the same thing 4 times. Looks like problem with Safari is fixed. I think I need some patience.
ReplyDeleteIsabella
I am always curious to try new scents & fragrances. Best ones till date are Yardley's. They have a lasting effect on my mind and each time I see it, the same nostalgia overcomes me. The perfumes are extraordinary and I m wondering if there are any new perfumes from this house.
ReplyDelete