SNIFF: Highlights of a Fragrant Walk

By Rodney Hughes, Fragrance Editor

A few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to join other fragrant heads for Sniffapalooza’s Spring Fling a two day event that starts in Midtown at Bergdorf Goodman with a banging breakfast and introduction. It then journeys to such venues as Takayshimaya which I must add is about to close its doors in NYC, so If you haven’t had an opportunity to experience this wonderful store I suggest you do it soon.

Takashimaya is known for its Zen approach to the high-end shopping experience not to mention its gorgeous botanical considerations and some of the top niche brands known to fragrance lovers.

I wasn’t able to join the uptown portion of this walk, but I do on occasion get to shop those stores and enjoy what they have to offer particularly when it comes eyeing a new purchase of smell good.

The tour took fragrance enthusiast to Henri Bendel where I am sure they got to experience all full array of goodies after all Bendel’s carries Aftelier Perfumes the line so masterfully created by the Goddess of Green herself, Mandy Aftel. Since Mother’s Day will soon be upon us, I would highly recommend Lumiere, Parfum Prive and Cepes & Tuberose.

I recently reviewed her New Testament fragrance: Trévert. If you are interested you may find this review on CaFleurebon.com, although in my opinion it is a divergence from her more neo-classic take on fragrance, but it has great healing appeal.

So the second day started at 10am with continental breakfast at Bond No. 9 on Bond and of course they did not fall short of expectations, they offered all the subtle downtown drama, glitz and glamour that have come to be expected from this fragrance house. I just adore all of their whimsical bling and light hearted approach to fragrance. Their newest selection is “Highline”, a very green heady perfume that is all about spring and New York cities hip new destination.

Highline - Bond

Bond No.9 Store

Then it was on to Le Labo, now this fragrance house is more than a destination, you have really arrived when you understand and love what they are doing with the future of fragrance. Don’t let its simple appointments fool you, there are some amazing things going on behind this ode to the industrial era. For me they are everything I think a fragrance line should be, simple clean packaging and absolutely alluring fragrances. A few of my favorites are Bergamote 22 (Don’t forget Father’s Day) and Jasmin 17. 

Bergamote22

Jasmin17

From Le Labo we went onto LAFCO NY most you might be familiar with the amazing House and Home Candle Collection this Italian Apothecary offers. It is a fragrant journey in and of itself. This great find is located on Lafayette St. near Houston which I have visited again and again since discovering it on one of my afternoon strolls in the city.

Keeping Father’s Day in mind, I would additionally recommend Yerba Mate by Lorenzo Villoresi and Acqua di Colonia – Opoponox by Santa Maria Novella both of which can be acquired at Lafcony. These two fragrances are very masculine and sexy and meant to enhance the appeal of our everyday heroes.

Acqua di Colonia - Opoponox

Yerba Mate

My overall fantasy pick from the Sniff was discovered at MiN on Crosby St. Perfumer Chistopher Brosius of CB I Hate Perfume really has upper echelon brilliance to his artistry.  The fragrance “I am a Dandelion” is pure sun power in a bottle, it has the ability to make the sun come out on a rainy New York City day. It really took me back to a cherished week spent on Salt Aire last summer.

This really intriguing fragrance was sheer illumination to my solar plexus. It’s sweet and warm without being over barring and it’s certainly unisex! Even if you wouldn’t actually wear this fragrance, I would recommend just carrying a bottle of it every where you go, it a very happy scent. (I.e. it’s a great way to brighten your subway commute.)

I am a Dandelion

Eau de Cologne ii

While at MiN I meet Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of Parfums des Beaux Arts she was sitting around the table partaking in Christopher’s Collection. I can’t tell you what an honor it was to finally meet this artist. I don’t use the word artist lightly she is in my opinion a Historian Royal when it comes to fragrance. Her recreation of “Acqua Admirabilis” aka Eau de Cologne is sheer genius and it is rendered only as painter and art historian can do. I love that the smoke of this fragrance can instantly travel me to seas of the Arctic and Mediterranean all at once.

I have heard talk of other “heroic fragrances”, but this is a huge thing to live up to and I think Dawn has done it with this one. I also enjoyed experiencing “BANCHA” a refreshing green tea fragrance that is crisp and energizing.

“Overall the nicest thing about Sniffapalooza’s Spring Fling had to be all the wonderful people I meet who really share the love of this artform.”

Lunch at Barolo gave us an opportunity to rest our weary feet, grab a bite to eat and to be introduced to a number of upcoming niche perfumeries. It was a very impressive showing and would be a great way to introduce Therapeutate Parfums in the fall. I’ll keep you posted!

The brands that stood out among the crowd were Libby Patterson Organics; highly spiritual and aromatic, 1000 Flowers; layered and masterful and Lord’s Jester; “natural” and thoughtful artistry. Additionally, I would include the product line by Duchess Marden their rose infused body oil is heavenly although I don’t believe it on the market yet. Remember men can wear rose fragrances especially when they are composed of plant botanicals; the rose will interact very differently on us as opposed to a woman’s chemistry.

After this most exhilarating showing and our three course lunch, we were off to Aedes de Venustas on Christopher St. This great little perfumery house and boutique has become a West Village institution. It is everything great about perfumery and not to mention a magnificent feast for the eyes and the soul. They have many of the finest and most sough after fragrances in one location; what more can an enthusiast desire?

Aedes de Venustas

This is where many of us perfume lovers go to escape and be apart of a rarify dream. Simply precious! The proprietors of this shop are very warm, knowledgeable and generous with sampling.

Sampling is very important when considering a new fragrance it allows you to be with a fragrance for a while to see if you will really love it in the long run. All fragrances have a life span and you should love each stage of its unfolding before you decide on living with it.

Finally, we were all to meet up at Pure Dark on Bleeker Street to compare notes and grab something really delicious, but when we got their, they were in the process of closing. There was a mix-up in scheduling , they had expected us much earlier……..lunch ran way over schedule, so we were a bit behind the mark.

Too bad, the staff had prepared a presentation, however they were gracious enough to give us gift bags of their chocolates and product information. I thoroughly enjoyed the chocolates especially the spicy ones which gave a whole new name to “hot chocolate”.

It’s been almost a month now, so I have finally recovered from the sensory overload. I hope to see many of you join us later this year for the fall version of this walk and until later have a fragrant life.