Travel Memoirs begin

By popular vote, Travel Memoirs will be the subsequent theme running through the next posts. We will traverse the length and breadth of the globe in search of olfactory memories and scent associations and you're all invited in this virtual journey of reminiscence and nostalgia.

One of the major pleasures of travelling is getting to know a different culture and imbuing oneself into the different sensory stimuli at hand. I was never a tourist who ~camera at hand and jockey on head~ would go after the designated sights and frantically check shops and lists with things to do. I believe in savouring the journey, mingling with the locals and slackening the tempo of life till it approximates that of the place itself.

In the first instalment of Travel Memoirs, I am going to focus on the exotic carpet of civilizations that is Istanbul and the Golden Horn and recount the olfactory tittilation that a visitor is bound to experience.

Stay tuned!

Diptyque discontinuations...

LusciousCargo.com sent an email about changes to the Diptyque line they are carrying. Among the good news of introducing new products, such as the new Eau de Toilette scents (L'eau de l'eau, L'eau de Neroli, L'eau des Hersperides, all by nose Olivier Pecheux), there is the sad information of the house's discontinuing several of their beloved products. To stop producing something one loves is always a sad move and more so for this beloved niche house that dates back to 1961, and has kept me company for so long, either with their scents or their wonderful candles.
The Diptyque site is also under renovation, which means major changes are about to be made. Let's hope for the better.

From the Luscious Cargo email:

"Diptyque are introducing several new products this year, the first of them being three new Eau de Toilettes. On the not-so-pleasant front, the house has removed several categories from production. You will find complete details on our website but a few of the more panic-inducing include the elimination of: the 200ml scents (across the board), the Hair/Body Wash, many many candles, and the following EDTs (in both sizes): L'Autre, Eau d'Elide, Opôné, L'Eau Trois, Virgilio.
Read it and weep..."

I am sighing...Are you?

Pic courtesy of Diptyque

Lamb, the fragrance

No, not Lamb by Gwen Stefani, lovely as the site might be.
Another one, which aired in Australia: a sure-fire man magnet!


(uploaded by melliepanther)

What do you think?

Naturals Again

Perfume Shrine has always been interested in the developments in the world of perfumery and one sector of that is the perfumers who dabble in Naturals. Much maligned in the past, yet increasingly acquited of accusations of a blinkered approach, it is refreshing to see that they are gaining credence for what they are: simply a different approach and aesthetic. I was reading Anya Mc Coy's, from Anya's Garden line, article on Basenotes and nodding my head in agreement: I also don't see Natural perfumes and perfumers as competing with the mainstream brands. Rather as offering an alternative, which is as valid as ever in the ever-growing fragrance market that has a niche for everything.

Even Luca Turin, a man whose job is to synthesize aromachemicals, issuing the new "Perfumes: The Guide" (out on 10 April, but you can pre-order it here), has had a custome-made natural perfume by Dominique Dubrana/Abdes Salaam (from Profumo.it), as he recounts here.
Of course Dominique Dubrana has had an extensive experience in perfumery and an anthology of natural perfumes to stop us in our tracks. It is therefore with pride that Perfume Shrine will occupy itself with reviewing some perfumes by him very soon.

While we're at it, announcing upcoming articles and reviews that is -and unrelated to the above article- other perfumes which use a high percentage of naturals or defend the use of a variation of natural ingredients will have their own share of the limelight.

And to keep you abreast of current developments in the world of allowed ingredients, a matter near and dear to the heart of natural perfumers, Cropwatch has scored another point in the match against legislature that tries to limit the palette of perfumers around the world. You can read the full report here.
Nevertheless, new developments are highlighted by Octavian Coiffan here: 1000fragrances: SFP conference REACH. Let's hope reason will prevail in the end...

Pic through art.com

Winners Announcement

I admit I had a rough time choosing the wittiest comment among those left on the "What you want next?" poll. I enjoyed them all and found them wonderfully inspiring: all your wishes will be granted sooner or later.
However Rachel/Sabregoddess's one really had me laughing out loud, so she wins the contest. Please mail me your info so I can send you your prize.

The winner of the Lucky Draw for Une Histoire de Chypre was totally random, therefore much easier: it is Aimee L'ondee. Please mail me your info so I can send you your sample.

Thank you all for participating and more surprises up next!!