The Sweet Smell of Literature

There is just nothing like the enchanting smell of a book. Paper, ink and glue come together to create a comforting, familiar aroma that engrosses the reader and pulls them down into the pages. But what if there was a way to indulge in this nostalgia all day long? 

"In the Library" by CB I Hate Perfume

Modeled off an old English novel, this inviting scent combines Russian and Moroccan leather bindings, worn cloth, and wood polish. Quiet, bookish, and comfortable, this perfume's initial sweetness fades into the warm, musty smell of a cherished favorite. In the Library is available online from CB I Hate Perfume in quantities of 2 ml ($13) and 15 ml ($95). The scent can also be purchased as a water perfume or home spray. 

"Paperback" by Demeter

This fragrance harnesses the smell of a used bookstore or beloved library by blending the musty smell of aged paper with a sweet dab of violets and whispering hint of potpourri. Paperback can be purchased from Demeter Fragrance Library in the form of 1/2 oz ($10), 1 oz ($20), or 4 oz ($39.50) cologne spray or a .29 oz roll-on perfume oil ($10). Demeter also offers more options such as a massage oil, atmosphere spray, and bath/shower gel. 

"Paper Passion" by Gerhard Steidl, Geza Schoen, and Wallpaper Magazine

This paper-based fragrance lives up to its name by capturing the first whiff of freshness that bleeds out when flipping the pages of a new book. Osmanthus and copaiba balsam are accompanied by amber, air, paper, and musk accord to leave a clean, woody trail behind. Paper Passion arrives tucked delicately inside a book-shaped case designed by Karl Lagerfeld, and nestled inside the package are texts by Karl Lagerfeld, perfumer Geza Schoen, Günter Grass, and Tony Chambers. Paper Passion is available from LuckyScent.com in a 50 ml ($98) bottle. 

"Dead Writers" by Sweet Tea Apothecary 

Books would be nothing without the writers behind them, and while a name like Dead Writers might make this one sound a bit unsettling, there is something to be said about the comfort of being connected to the literary geniuses of the past. Dead Writers "evokes the feeling of sitting in an old library chair paging through yellowed copies of Hemingway, Shakespeare, Fitzgerald, Poe, and more." Notes of black tea, musk, heliotrope, vetiver, clove, vanilla, and tobacco play off of one another to wrap the wearer in an old-fashioned, familiar scent. Dead Writers is available from Etsy in a 15 ml ($30) bottle.

'Duke of Melrose' Loves Tom Ford Fragrances

In A Bottle recently spoke with Christos Garkinos, who's featured on the new Bravo reality show Dukes of Melrose. The show follows Christos and his business partner, Cameron Silver, through adventures at their legendary L.A. consignment boutique Decades. 

What we love about the show is that each episode gives viewers a cliff notes education in fashion, as Christos uncovers amazing finds in his clients' closets, from vintage couture to modern luxury brands.

Christos told me he fell in love with vintage while growing up in Detroit rocking his grandfather's brown cashmere coat. He's since traded up for a Gucci ostrich overcoat, but he's still proud to sport secondhand style.

"What I love about vintage and shopping like that is every piece of clothing has a story," he said.

Garkinos also loves scent, and recently told HauteLiving.com that he covets Tom Ford fragrances, especially Tom Ford Noir de Noir.  
"I am so obsessed with his scents that I keep one at my desk at all times. And last week Mr. Ford was to visit the store, so I did an extra little spritz — unfortunately he didn’t make it that day, but I smelled extra good," he said.

Tom Ford Noir de Noir is among the designer's must-inhale line of artisinal scents. The dark chypre oriental opens with saffron, black rose and black truffle with floral hints, and deepens with vanilla, patchouli, oud wood and tree moss. Its packaging is inspired by apothecary bottles.


 

What is the Smell of Everything?

No wonder it's impossible for In A Bottle to cover every new fragrance launch ... there were 1,400 in 2012 alone. 

Dutch artists Lernert & Sander offer wry comment on the overwhelming proliferation of fragrances in the marketplace with a new creation called Everything. For the piece, they managed to track down a sample of each and every new scent released last year, then combined them all together in a 1.5 liter bottle designed to look like a classic sample fragrance.

So what is the scent of Everything? Select guests got to rare chance to smell for themselves when the fragrance was placed on display at Colette in Paris for one week at the beginning of March.  

The rest of us can only wonder, but judging from the promotional photo of the artists (below), it looks a bit overwhelming.

Lernert Engelberts and Sander Plug create high-concept art films and installations, with simple but stunning art direction, all driven by their subtly dry, cheeky sense of humor. Find out more about their multimedia creations here. 

Get That Beautiful Burberry BODY

Burberry recently announced the introduction of Burberry BODY Tender. The fragrance hit shelves at Burberry stores and Burberry.com this month, and will be available in U.S. department stores beginning in May. 

The perfume is a light, spirited expression of the iconic Burberry name. The sparkling scent weaves together a striking burst of lemon, dewy English rose, enveloping peach, and powdery white jasmine against a warm, soft background of cashmere wood and vanilla. 

Burberry features British Beauty Cara Delevingne as the face of their BODY Tender campaign, and we can't help but reminisce about Rosie Huntington-Whitely, who gained international recognition as the face of Burberry's BODY Mist and for her role in Transformers. 

BODY Tender is available online at Burberry.com and shippable to the U.S. in a pale pink 85 ml bottle ($80). 

A Year in the Life of Master Parfumeur Jean-Claude Ellena

Jean-Claude Ellena

"Smell is a word, perfume is literature."

Jean-Claude Ellena describes himself as a "writer" of fragrances. He is also a lovely composer of prose, which is not lost in the translation of his book The Diary of a Nose: A Year in the Life of a Parfumeur.

First published in Ellena's native French, the book became available in English this month (Rizzoli ExLibris, $24.95). It's worth a read not only if you are enamored with the fragrance industry, but if you appreciate reading about artistic process, which Ellena experiences through the unique medium of molecules. 

The Diary of a Nose
by Jean-Claude Ellena,
Rizzoli ExLibris, 2013.

Ellena has been the exclusive perfumer to the house of Hermes since 2004. Over the course of his career he has created some of the world's bestselling fragrances including First from Van Cleef & Arpels, Eau Parfumee au The Vert from Bulgari, and Declaration from Cartier. 

Ellena wrote his book based on observations he jotted in his beloved moleskin notebook throughout 2009. Entries chronicle perfume launches, speaking engagements and dinner parties around the world, balanced by quiet times in his studio in Cabris. 

Ellena offers poetic insight into the concepts and process behind his perfumes as he strives to evoke phrases, compositions and themes. He also shares his inspirations — from bergamot, pear, fresh mint and limes, to his favorite authors and Japanese calligraphy.

Ellena's beloved moleskin notebook and fountain pen.

"... I deliberately leave gaps, 'spaces,' in perfumes for each individual to fill with their own imagination," he writes.

At the back of the book is "A Summary of Smells" in which Ellena shares DIY formulae for such scents as sugared almond, olive and gardenia. 


Ellena was born in Grasse, France, considered the world's capital of perfume and the location of the International Museum of Perfumery. His father, brother and daughter are also perfumers. 

"I went into perfumery as if into a religion," he writes.

Jean-Claude Ellena smells blotters at the IKEA table which doubles as a desk, in his studio in Cabris, France.

Get TAKEN with designer's new scent

Clothing designer Jane Booke has created a fragrance that is capturing the hearts of celebrities like Dakota Johnson, Kirstie Alley, Melanie Griffith, and Kimberly Stewart. Taken is a heady, sultry vanilla-based fragrance that is perfect for Valentine's Day. 

Taken's deep vanillas and soft patchouli blends are offset by sweet, sexy notes of mango, peach, bergamot, and subtle whiffs of jasmine and muguet. All of these elements come together to create an enchanting, velvety blend that is both captivating and addictive.

Taken eau de parfum can be purchased as a 1 oz spray ($84) or a 1/3 oz roll-on ($54). The scent is also available as a 9 oz candle ($42).

Sweet Scents for Valentine's Day

While most of us are still recovering from the Christmas season, it's easy to forget that Valentine's Day is coming up fast. According to Business Insider, the average U.S. consumer spent an estimated $166.21 on Valentine's Day last year between gifts, meals, and entertainment. In the last minute scramble to find that perfect gift with the perfect price tag, why not skip the flowers and go for something that still smells sweet, but lasts longer?

Crabtree & Evelyn's Gift Boxes

These adorable heart shaped boxes were exclusively designed for Crabtree & Evelyn by BA Textile Design students at Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design. They are limited edition, created specially for Valentine's Day, and available for purchase in-store. The boxes come in a few different varieties and include pampering products such as hand therapy, lip glosses, fragrance, and nail polish. There is even one box that is catered toward men and features Crabtree & Evelyn's West Indian Lime cologne. Prices range from $25 to $60. 

Red Sin by Christina Aguilera

Since it's recent debut in 2012, Red Sin has been daring women to express their sultry, seductive side. The sensual perfume captures the lingering temptation of the color red by infusing top notes of apple and cinnamon with a cyclamen core that dissolves into a musk and sandalwood base. Even the lacy red and pink bottle is perfect for Valentine's Day. Red Sin eau de parfum can be purchased from Kohl's in 1 oz ($37) and 1.6 oz ($47) bottles.  



BCBGMAXAZRIA

Don't let the name catch you off guard...this fragrance by BCBG's Max Azria isn't as confusing as it sounds! The perfume opens up with a sugary sweet medley of wild strawberry and cherry before settling down into jasmine, violet, and sandalwood. The end result is fresh, fruity, and long-lasting, but light enough for everyday wear. The perfume comes in a beautiful pink bottle with a floral cap that would fit perfectly into any fragrance collection. BCBG Max Azria eau de parfum is available at Macy's in sizes of 1.7 oz ($55) or 3.4 oz ($75). 

Coach Love

This perfume by Coach puts a modern, chic twist on traditional floral fragrances, and is meant to remind the wearer of the moment she fell in love. Coach Love pairs soft, enticing whiffs of flower petals and fresh greens with frothy, luxurious caramel and warm musk to create a unique, enveloping experience. The champagne bottle, which is adorned with a subtle heart and toole ribbon, can be purchased from Macy's in sizes of 1.7 oz ($72) and 3.4 oz ($94). The scent is also available as a body lotion and shower cream.   

Style Icon Linda Dresner Embraces "Dans Tes Bras"

Fashion icon Linda Dresner is known as much for discovering avant garde designers as for the bandana that tames her wild curls. Here, she shares a treasured scent:

Frederic Malle, Dans Tes Bras.

"I've been wearing this scent for about four years. I probably read about the designer in a magazine first of all, and in Paris I went to his little store because I happened to pass by. I went in and sprayed it, and I've been wearing it ever since."

Frederic Malle refers to himself as "an editor of perfumes." He publishes independent olfactory creations by legendary perfumers as "Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle." 

Dan Tes Bras was created by Maurice Roucel, a self-taught perfumer who began his career as a chemist at Chanel's Fragrance Laboratory in 1973. The fragrance is described as a "deep and lasting odor of warm skin, with all its salty hints and rich overtones." It contains cashmeran, sandalwood, musk and patchouli, reinforced with salicylates and incense, softened with heliotrope, and colored with a violet accord. (50 ml. spray, $165).

To read more about Linda Dresner's influential career in fashion, read my article in Birmingham Magazine here.

Find Your Scent Sign for a Fragrant 2013

The new year is a time for new opportunities, new experiences, and, of course, new perfume! As 2013 begins, check out which essential oil best compliments your zodiac sign. 

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20): You are hard-working, self-disciplined, and practical, but sometimes you may forget to let yourself have a little fun. A bit of grapefruit oil could help lift your mood and revive your mind when you're feeling overwhelmed. 

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19): Your creativity and originality keep friends and family on their toes, and your inventiveness makes life a constant quest. Spearmint oil can keep your ideas flowing and your mind fresh.

PISCES (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20): You are intuitive and impulsive, with a natural curiosity and a tendency to get swept up in romance. In the new year, a dab of cedarwood can tie you down to earth when you need to focus. 

ARIES (Mar. 21 - Apr. 20): Strong-willed, organized, and independent, you are naturally driven to success, but prone to emotional breakdowns. Try a splash of rose to help you unwind after a long day and soften your emotional afflictions.

TAURUS (Apr. 21 - May 20): You are affectionate, loyal, and driven by your emotions, which makes it very easy to break your heart. In times of stress or sadness, jasmine can soothe your nerves, while boosting your confidence and optimism. 

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21): Although you are extremely brilliant, witty, and lively, your dual personalities and mood changes can be perplexing to the people around you. In 2013, a smidgen of patchouli could keep you grounded and balanced, so that others can enjoy the best of both of your sides. 

CANCER (June 22 - July 22): You are sensitive, affectionate, and nurturing, and sometimes you can let your reclusive mind and imagination get away from you. Sandalwood oil can reduce your confusion and promote harmony between your fantasies and reality.

LEO (July 23 - Aug. 23): Optimistic, enthusiastic, and ambitious, you are hungry for purpose and opportunity. When the going gets tough, some thyme oil can keep you concentrated and on top of your game.   

VIRGO (Aug. 24 - Sept. 22): You are very meticulous and detail-oriented, and you strive for perfection, organization and thoroughness. In the new year, try a dot of lavender on each wrist at bedtime to help you relax. 

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): You are hard-working and fair-minded, but sometimes you can be so busy trying to please others that you forget to take care of your own needs. When the world weighs you down, clary sage can wash away depression, stress, and tension.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 22): Your calm, controlled exterior often shields an intense sea of inner emotions. If this wall is broken down, you may feel naked and defenseless. A splash of peppermint in the morning can cool your spirit, refresh your mind, and prepare you to face the day.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21): Open-minded and innately curious, you have an appetite for knowledge and activity. A dab of basil oil each morning can spare you from mental fatigue and provide clarity during your adventures.