News: 582 posts

Christian Dior Miss Dior (that was once upon a time known as Miss Dior Chérie) is going to be released in the extrait de parfum version. Miss Dior Le Parfum was created by perfumer François Demachy. It is a richer, more floral take on the original. It includes notes of mandarin, Bulgarian rose, Turkish rose, patchouli, amber, and vanilla. Miss Dior Le Parfum is going to be available at Dior boutiques and department store counters starting September 2012.

I love this ad with Natalie Portman!

Also, earlier this year, Dior released a new version of Poison Esprit de Parfum, originally created by perfumer Edouard Fléchier. It’s close to the original Poison, except that the floral heart is heavier and darker. At first, it smells disconcertingly like grape juice, but over time, the sugary sweetness subsides, and the bold tuberose takes over. The drydown is sweet and smoky, with a strong amber nuance. I have an older version of Esprit de Parfum and it feels more velvety and opulent next to this new take.  Continue reading →

More Noir perfumes for fall. Agent Provocateur will release a new fragrance called Pétale Noir in October 2012. The concept behind the fragrance is a hidden dark secret.  Pétale Noir is a floral oriental perfume, which includes notes of water lily, violet leaves, hyacinth, magnolia, rose absolute, ylang ylang, neroli, heliotrope, osmanthus, ginger, tobacco leaf, amber, and leather.

A body elixir will be launched alongside the perfume, “promising aphrodisiac properties and a tingly feeling on the skin.” Via theupcoming

Note: I’ve been meaning to let you know that the Long Lost Favorite Perfume series has been forced on a vacation due to my move. Most of my vintage samples are still waiting their shipment to my new home, so once they arrive, I will resume the series.

Since I posted about Hermès L’Ambre des Merveilles yesterday, I realized that it’s going to join a lineup of several other new amber perfumes for fall. Below are a few fragrances that captured my attention.

Maître Parfumeur et Gantier will launch Ambre Doré in August 2012. Created by perfumer Frederic Stalin, it’s described as “classical and mysterious.” The notes will include geranium, clary sage, styrax, oud, ambergris, coriander, saffron, myrrh, sandalwood, and vetiver. “The choice of amber was not by accident, as in this olfactive mix the oud needs to perform as is hoped for; control its strength and respect its role to bring harmony to the formula.” Eau de Parfum will retail for $120. Continue reading →

“Why does all I do become byzantine?” — Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel

Chanel is launching a new fragrance Coco Noir in September 2012. The fragrance was inspired by the time Coco Chanel spent in Venice, and the idea of Venetian velvet is a recurring motif. A variation on Coco, an opulent floral oriental, Coco Noir was created by Jacques Polge. The notes include Calabrian bergamot, grapefruit, rose, jasmine, narcissus, geranium, tonka bean, Indonesian patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla, incense, and  white musk.

It will be available at selected stores starting August 15th and worldwide in September. Please see more about the launch and available sizes at Nowsmellthis. Via theharlow.net

Hermès is launching a new interpretation of Eau des Merveilles, a blend of amber and woods developed in 2004 by perfumers Ralf Schwieger and Nathalie Feisthauer. L’Ambre des Merveilles is created by Hermès in-house perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena. Ellena already reinterpreted Eau des Merveilles as the gourmand L’Elixir des Merveilles and mossy Eau Claire des Merveilles. 

L’Ambre des Merveilles includes notes of amber, vanilla, labdanum, and patchouli. It is described as sensual, mysterious and “almost aphrodisiac.”  Available starting August at Hermès boutiques and department store counters. Via abc-luxe (thank you to Nicolette for alerting me to it!)