The Tom Ford Grooming Collection: Ritual and Dollars

The upcoming Tom Ford Grooming Collection for Men (launching November 1st) is reportedly inspired by the grooming ritual that the sleek and cunning Texan designer follows himself. The video clip presents the expected toned torsos and meaningful "Blue Steel" looks by a chiseled member of the XY chromosome and is aimed at our gonads, typical for Tom Ford imagery. Tom is a fine marketeer, probably among the finest currently working in the fashion world, since everything he touches turns to gold. And that's despite his apparent lack of designer skills as evidenced during his stint at Yves Saint Laurent (a sin for which he must atone through more rigorous rituals than usual).



Tom himself goes on and on about how it's all about caring for your skin (this comes from the guy who has professed to take 3 to 5 baths a day? I'm surprised he has any skin left), that it doesn't need to be elaborate to be effective, that it shows respect to those around you (yes, dear heterosexual men who may be reading, salsa stains on your 5-day-beard-growth aren't sexy, wash already!), and it's about presenting your most handsome and impeccable self to the world.
The latter claim is actually a refreshingly honest and novel point in talking about beauty products; usually the commercials harp on how it's about what feels good to you, how it all evolves around you, how you're the center of your own universe, it's all about you, you, you, yada yada yada. But fine though the clip may be, one can't shake the impression that we're watching Patrick Bateman's morning ritual, something I had posted about before on these pages. At least I can't. There's something about it in the sleekness, the glistening skin under the caress of beautifying products, the narcissistic self admiration, the vacancy of the look through the mirror, the smooth voiceover...

Does this promo persuade me to go out and test the products? It certainly gives me pause to think whether 600$ for grooming (including lip balm, concealer and eye treatment) is accountable for my significant other and whether my bathroom shelf can withstand even more bottles, potions and lotions for the both of us. But I do like Ford's lipsticks despite the elevated price tag, so don't ask me too rigorously. Tom is a fine marketeer. He might even convince me to dabble in these in the end!

Perfume Advertising Champions: Guerlain again...through the years

"Perfume mocks the passage of time..."

This beautiful historically-centered perfume ad by Guerlain appeared on Ebay. Though it certainly doesn't encompass all Guerlain classics it certainly does some of their most famous up to 1970: Jicky, L'Heure Bleue, Mitsouko, Shalimar, Chant d'Aromes, Chamade... A joy to look at and a fashion & advertising history lesson for those with a sharp eye.

The winner of the draw...

...for the Iris Nobile special edition is OttoKernFan. Congratulations! Please email me using Contact with your shipping data (and Nobile in the title of mail) so I can have this out to you in the mail soon.

Thanks everyone for the enthusiastic participation and till the next one!

Free Perfume Giveaway: Win a Bottle of the Special Edition of Iris Nobile

Iris Nobile by the Italian brand Acqua di Parma (makers of the famous Colonia and the Colonia Assoluta) is celebrating with a special edition, Iris Nobile Edizione Speciale 2013. I have long favorited this graceful floral eau de parfum with notes of white flowers, chypre accords and iris, going through my bottle with gusto, feeling like the pinnacle of elegance. So the new anniversary edition is good news for those of you who haven't tried it yet: the purple box is lovely to look at. Perfume Shrine is happy to be able to offer one Iris Nobile 2013 edition bottle to its readers, full, new and pristine (see below), for your delectation. Cool, isn't it?
Just take a look at this video clip on how the special edition bottles are created by Acqua di Parma.

Notes for Iris Nobile include ylang ylang, Florentine iris, patchouli, vanilla, oakmoss.

To enter the draw, please post a comment below saying what is your favorite iris fragrance and why you enjoy it (or if you don't like iris scents, why is that, you suppose?).
Draw is open internationally until Sunday 20th October midnight, winner will be announced sometime on Monday. Good luck!

Maximizing Your Fragrance's Use: Perfume Application Tips from Jean Claude Ellena & Francis Kurkdjian

The way of applying fragrance for maximum appreciation and enjoyment is a fine art. If you're a beginner, you might want to consult Perfume Shrine's full article on how and where to apply perfume more effectively to make it last longer and enjoy it more. Today I want to share with you a few professional tips I have come across during my readings from top perfumers Jean Claude Ellena and Francis Kurkdjian, first appearing in French Vogue.
I'm sharing this advice with you here, translated by me from the French, for your delectation and should you wish to add or comment on any of them via your personal experience, you're very welcome to do so.

via thrift store girl

On traveling:

When traveling, bring a box of incense paper (Papier d'Armenie) in your luggage to perfume your clothes. And at night in your hotel room, spray some Eau de Cologne on your pillow. A smell that relaxes and comforts. " (Francis Kurkdjian)

On leaving a fragrant trail:

"To leave behind a sensual trail that lasts all day, nothing better than dabbing perfume directly with your fingers leaving the spray aside. You lose a bit of material that way, but the skin is impregnated better." (Jean Claude Ellena)

On entertaining:

"In the summer, for lunches and dinners with friends, scent the guest towels with rose water mixed with a little lemon juice to give a prolonged fresh feeling throughout the meal." (Francis Kurkdjian)

On where best to apply perfume on the body:

"Above all, never wear perfume at the wrist as jewelry and watches alter the scent. The ideal is to spray the crook of the elbow or on the neck: the fragrance then diffuses to its maximum potential". (Jean Claude Ellena)