Sugar Lounge (Trump Tower, Lower Level, 725 Fifth Avenue @ 57th Street; Tuesday, from 10:30am-11:30am and 1:30pm-2:30pm)
Firmenich sponsored event that explores gourmand scents and confections, inspired both by the current and retro candy themes.

Bergorf Goodman (Fifth Avenue @ 58th Street; Tuesday-Friday)
The Clive Christian perfume expert Bukurije will host personal, one on one introductions to the line. The appointment must be made in advance (212-872-2581).

A number of New York stores have specials during the Fragrance Week. New London Pharmacy (246 8th Avenue @ 23rd St) will offer 10% off any purchase of fragrance. Calypso boutiques will offer 1 free fragrance with a purchase of any 2. Bond No. 9 will give a complimentary 1/2oz with a purchase of any 3.4oz fragrance.

Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.

For the past week I have been wearing and enjoying the three fragrances from Les Nez, a niche line established by designer René Schifferle: L’Antimatière, The Unicorn Spell and Let Me Play the Lion…   The bold interpretations and unusual harmonies of the compositions lend the line the cerebral and avant-garde quality, which does not come at the expense of wearability. Moreover, there are additional reasons to anticipate an interesting outcome from Les Nez. The perfumer behind the line, Isabelle Doyen has created such gems as Annick Goutal Sables, Grand Amour and Songes. Her work for Les Nez further explores the neo-classical elegance of her orchestrations, yet with a more assertive touch. The contrasts are made more pronounced, the dissonances explored further and the impact heightened. …

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The first day of Fragrance Week 2006 in New York opens with the following events which welcome everyone:

Visionaire Presentation (Trump Tower, 725 Fifth Avenue @ 57th Street; 4pm-5pm and 6pm-7pm today only)
In a collaboration between International Flavors & Fragrances and Visionaire, the art and fashion quarterly, Visionaire 47 TASTE will offer creations that engage the visual, olfactory and gustatory senses.

Exhibit of Perfume Bottle Sculptures (Trump Tower, 725 Fifth Avenue @ 57th Street; Monday through Friday this week, from 11am-2pm)
The exhibit of 6-foot perfume bottles sculpted in fiberglass and decorated by the team of artists.

Vintage Perfume Bottle Exhibit (Manhattan Art and Antiques Center, 2nd Avenue @ 55th Street, Gallery 47; open Monday through Friday this week from 11am-6pm)
The exhibit will feature more than 300 perfume bottles and factices including rare Lalique and Baccarat pieces.

Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.

Inspired by the introduction of oriental and American spices to Europe, Hermès Paprika Brasil lost me before it even managed to set its sail. The watery and cold effect of the top note was rather anticlimactic, if one expected the vibrancy of spices and the richness of paprika. Instead of searing heat, at most Paprika Brasil conjures a damp morning mist of an autumnal day, a character it retains as the composition develops.

The dominant presence in the composition is that of iris. Its dove grey outlines are noticeable under the transparence of the vegetal top note. However, the iris is pale and sheer, a ghostly shadow of its rooty sumptuousness that one can glimpse in Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist. …

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The Annette Green Perfume Museum opens its first exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. From October 17 through December 2, 2006 the exhibition will honour the creators of fragrance and fashion of the past and present. “A new exhibition space dedicated solely to the Annette Green Perfume Museum will be unveiled, while a companion exhibition in the FIDM Museum & Galleries will showcase select pieces from the Annette Green collection alongside companion fashion pieces from the FIDM Permanent Collection.” The public is invited between Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00am until 4:00pm. While the dual exhibit will last only through December, the Annette Green Perfume Museum will remain open year round for public viewing. For more information please check FIDM website.

FIDM is located at 919 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90015. The admission to the museum is free.