Harrods Perfume Diaries - Jade Jagger for Guerlain

Harrods is hosting The Perfume Diaries from now until 2nd October 2010. First in the series, of some great looking events, is the launch of Guerlain's new Shalimar bottle on Wednesday 8th September.

The beautiful Jade Jagger has designed Shalimar's new bottle and will be appearing at Harrods for the launch.

I'm hoping to attend as (yippee) the children will be back at school by then.

Here is the Martin Scorsese ad for Bleu by Chanel. Chanel never set a foot wrong with their perfumes; I'm looking forward to trying this one.

Chandler Burr Selects the Scents that Surprise

Chandler Burr's latest perfume selection highlights fragrances that 'surprise'.

1. Eau Claire des Merveilles by Hermes

The original Eau des Merveilles was created by perfumer Ralf Schwieger, the genius behind the more recent Orange Sanguine by Atelier Cologne. Looking forward to trying this flanker by Jean-Claude Ellena.

2. Womanity by Thierry Mugler

A huge amount of hype surrounds Womanity. This brand's ability to create, and bullishly market, successful fragrances is phenomenal. I like Thierry Mugler's Alien and hope to find something to like in Womanity.

3. Essence by Narciso Rodriguez

If the surprise for this one is that there's nothing to smell, then I agree.

4. Bliss by Bliss

Where there's a successful spa there's a line of semi-thought-through products. I'm willing to give this a try. 

5. Infusion D'Iris by Prada

Hello! Didn't Chandler Burr recommend this one in his New York Times scent selection in April? Running out of ideas Mr B?

6. Beauty by Calvin Klein

Still struggling to win back the success this brand experienced in the 90s, Calvin Klein can't seem to stop with the new launch merry-go-round.

Was Chandler Burr still half asleep on the beach when he put together this selection? Yawn. See if Chandler Burr's full commentary on his scent selection manages to win you over.

Alec Lawless - The Victorian Pharmacy

Great clip from The Victorian Pharmacy. Alec Lawless talks about the principles of perfumery as they were implemented by the Victorians. The first perfume section starts around the 42 minute mark, and the second section begins at 50 minutes.

This clip has also reminded me why there is so little on TV about perfume. You just want to smell it! Talking about perfume is no good unless you are able to share the experience too.

Miller Harris Article from Yesterday's Evening Standard

Miller Harris's empire goes from strength to strength. Read yesterday's Evening Standard article about Miller Harris and how Michelle Obama's gift from Samantha Cameron has boosted business.

Here is a recent article in the Daily Mail about how to smell like a summer garden.

Roja Dove speaks about Oud, 'the ultimate world of luxury', to the Guardian.

British Vogue September 2010 Scents of Time

In the September issue, British Vogue announces that Harrods is holding a fragrance exhibition, The Perfume Diaries, "charting the history of perfume and displaying rare bottles". I'm hoping to take a look myself.

Vogue also lists "Five noteworthy new scents created by women":

Ruth Mastenbroek

Like This Tilda Swinton by Etat Libre d'Orange

Chantecaille Petales

Guerlain Angelique Noir

Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia

I've been in Spain for a couple of weeks, hence the lack of posts. Now I'm back and trying to just keep up with having all the children at home during the school holidays. Needless to say - posts will be irregular.