VENFIELD 8 Hommage to Bruce Weber’s Iconic “Bear Pond” in Photography Book Bear Hill

I’m a great fan of coffee-table books. And I’m a great fan of Bruce Weber’s photograph’s. In early 2013, controversial artist VENFIELD 8, approached David Laflamme with the intent of creating some iconic and lasting images. VENFIELD 8 reputation of re-interpretation and unique visionary creation gave birth to a new idea of a classic. An homage to the iconic Bear Pond, by Bruce Weber, ensued, only this time, featuring stunning young ‘bears’ as models.

We are teased and titillated by this preview of the new handsome-artful photography book by the one and only, mysterious artist VENFIELD 8. We challenge him to a one on one interview. Since his true identity is top-secret, we will allow him to cover himself, preferably with a jeweled mask. What do you say VENFIELD 8?

Sixty nine duo toned black and white prints featuring David Laflamme and friends on Bear Hill, frolicking and relaxing nude in studies both beautiful and serene.

This collectible book is limited to 500 copies and features all images never before published.

More info at:  VENFIELD 8 , David Laflamme and Bruce Weber

Shiseido Tokyo Sky Tree Parfum

I love special perfume flacons. Today, Shiseido Co, Ltd released its original ‘Tokyo Sky Tree Parfum’ in collaboration with Tobu Tower Sky Tree Co., Ltd. to mark the completion of Tokyo Sky Tree, a Communications and sightseeing tower ythat boasts the tallest free-standing steel structure in the world, on May 22, 2012. The fragrance, which was launched on the same day, was sold in a limited quantity of 634 units in connection with the tower’s height of 634 meters.

The concept of the product is to integrate the two contrasting elements of ‘nostalgia and modern’ based on the theme of ‘Revering the past to create the future’. The fragrance is based on a floral green aroma, finishing with an elegant and Japanese modern aroma. It is a well-balanced harmonious blend that evokes a nostalgic, calm feeling while providing a refreshing and uplifting feeling that conjures hopes and wishes for the future.

Based with a floral green aroma that is cheery and refreshing, nostalgic and calming, and yet has a feeling of newness. Top note: Refreshing aroma as if looking at a clear sky that evokes an uplifting hopeful feeling towards the future. Final note: Japanese modern aroma that is nostalgic at the core yet has a feeling of newness.

A timeless beauty. The outer package has an abstract design showing the steel frame of the Tokyo Sky Tree

In terms of packaging, the stopper of the flacon is reminiscent of the symbolic shape of the top part of Tokyo Sky Tree while the elaborate cut of the flacon itself features a classic perfume flacon shape finished with a Japanese traditional ‘hemp leaf’ faceting technique. The fine faceted pattern denotes a The design expresses an image of people and the surrounding town, which come together centered around Tokyo Sky Tree, shining towards the future.

Regardless, each flacon is engraved with a serial number, making this exquisite product a one-of-a-kind, premium, commemorative fragrance, a timeless beauty!

Shiseido Tokyo Sky Tree Parfum’ is available in a 30ml flacon (¥63,400 including tax) at the Shiseido corner of TOBU Department Store, Tokyo Solamachi Store (within Cosmetic zone ‘Cosmetic Palette’).  Come into the beautiful world of Shiseido.

 

Lancôme creates precious La Vie est Belle fragrance for their 80th Anniversary Celebration

Julia Roberts

Lancôme Paris is celebrating their 80th anniversary. For their celebration, Lancôme commissioned Mellerio dits Meller, the Parisian jewelry house, to create a perfume bottle that captures the essence of the brand’s spirit. Their La Vie Est Belle perfume line was selected as it was the perfect representation of what the brand stands for, a beauty that transcends time.

Lancome La vie est belle Perfume L’Extrait 80th Anniversary Edition

This exquisite bottle features rose-gold-gilded sterling silver clustered on the neck of the bottle. Each petal is hand crafted piece by piece, then carefully assembled using piercing, chiseling or mirroring techniques.

A beautiful fragrance that was created by Dominique Ropion en Anne Flipo.

The luxurious edition La Vie Est Belle L’Extrait de Parfum by Mellerio dits Meller was created in only 80 pieces, one for each year. It is available as 10 ml priced at  $950. For all fans of perfume extracts, Lancôme presents La Vie Est Belle Extrait de Parfum in a flacon of the same design with a bow as a standard Eau De Parfum edition in the amount of 10 ml priced at $160.

Lalique Amethyst

Lalique Amethyst Eau de Parfum

Amethyst is a feminine perfume by Lalique. This beautiful exclusive scent was launched in 2007 and the fragrance was created by perfumer Nathalie Lorson.

Of course, Lalique itself is the designer of the bottle, and it was inspired by René Lalique’s objects for bathroom, Epines (‘Thorns’) designed in 1920. The bottle describes the scent very well, if i could give this smell a colour it would be ‘purple’ of course. The crystal bottle for the perfume extract carries crystal blackberries on the top and is clothed in seductive…. purple.

Lalique Amethyst Eau de Parfum

Honestly, I’m not a fan of modern floral and fruity fragrances (mostly they are too artificial). But Lalique Amethyst is one of the most surprising fruity perfumes, surprising in its longevity. I thought the top notes of fruit would disappear, but they stuck around and overshadowed the floral heart. It smells a little bit like grape bubblegum, but not in an off-putting way and isn’t saccharine like other perfumes with similar fruit notes. The blackberry and blackcurrant are prominent and eventually dissipate into a slightly soapy, clean musk drydown. Amethyst also seems versatile in that it can definitely be layered with other perfumes that have stronger drydowns and are woodier in nature

 

Lalique Crystal Amethyst Parfum Extract (Click photo to enlarge).

Lalique Crystal Amethyst Parfum Extract (Click photo to enlarge).

I love the smell of pure black current in the top notes. It’s so fresh and juicy,- simply wonderful! The heart beats with the accords of intoxicating rose spiced with pepper, peony, lily and sweet, floral ylang-ylang. The base is powdery and soft with Bourbon vanilla and sensual musk.

• Top: Blackberry, Blackcurrant, Rasberry
• Heart: Floral Notes
• Base: Musk, Vanilla

Amethyst has become my signature scent. I should confess that it’s a very sophisticated perfume, not provocative nor sexy, but concentrates on mind not body. This fragrance have much personality, and definitively confirm the very good taste of Nathalie Lorson. . Men and women alike are very attracted to this wonderful scent. Very nice everyday-scent.

It is available as 50 ml and 100 ml Eau de Parfum and 50 ml Perfume extract.

 

The original Joy perfume bottle will be recreated for a collector’s edition

For this special edition, the luxury brand has recreated an iconic bottle from the past. Designed by Jean Patou himself in 1932, the Joy flacon, which was originally inspired by his collection of Chinese snuffboxes, is reborn in the spirit of the couture house’s ‘Nuit de Chine’ dress.

The curvaceous inky black bottle is topped by a ‘rouge capucine’ dome-shaped stopper and wrapped in gold thread.

Having received many requests from our loyal customers, we decided to bring back the Joy fragrance in its iconic bottle, thereby celebrating the centenary of the Jean Patou house

Dilesh Mehta, Jean Patou’s president.

Jean Patou has announced that this new version of Joy is the ‘purest, richest and most concentrated’ of all the variations of its signature fragrance. Its powerful opening notes are rose and jasmine (flowers that are gathered by hand in September and May), combined with ylang-ylang, tuberose and a warm sandalwood base.

Each bottle is filled by hand and sealed. The perfume is available as a limited edition at the Espace Jean Patou and Printemps Haussmann stores initially, then at selected retail outlets from January. Price: €89 for the 30 ml eau de parfum, €155 for the 100 ml eau de parfum, and €300 for the 15 ml perfume.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540

Last year, crystal manufacturer Baccarat celebrated its 250th anniversary with the launch of the Baccarat Rouge 540 fragrance as a high point of the festivities. Presented in a Baccarat crystal bottle, the scent was carefully created by the perfumer Francis Kurkdjian.

The Baccarat Rouge 540 fragrance is the result of a partnership between the crystal manufacturer Baccarat and the perfume house Maison Francis Kurkdjian. This new celebratory fragrance will be available in mid-January 2016.

The name of this very special anniversary limited edition was inspired by the bottle manufacturing process. In Francois Truffaut’s film of Ray Bradbury sci-fi title Fahrenheit 451, this is the temperature of the auto-ignition point of paper — the heat at which it will catch fire without being exposed to an external flame. In the case of the Baccarat crystal, it is a heat of 540 degrees that once applied, with consummate skill, to the raw materials of sand, lead and 24-carat gold powder metamorphosing it into the beautiful red incandescent crystal for which the house is famous.

A few months later, Maison Francis Kurkdjian announced that the Baccarat Rouge 540 fragrance will become part of its celebratory perfume collection, and will be packaged in the perfume house’s iconic bottle.

This woody amber floral fragrance has opening notes of jasmine and saffron, followed by ambergris and cedar.

Baccarat Rouge 540 in the iconic Maison Francis Kurkdjian bottle (70ml) will be available from mid-January in the brand’s Parisian stores. Price: €195. A limited numbered edition of 250 in a Baccarat crystal bottle will also be available. Price: €3,000 for 100 ml.

Annayake dedication to the moon

In October 2015 Annayake  has launched a new fragrant duo, Tsukiyo, dedicated to the largest autumn festival in Japan – Tsukimi (or Otsukimi). The festival traditionally takes place on the first night of full Moon in September, when the Moon particularly light and round. Followers of this festival and the month of harvest gather in temples and public gardens where they drink ceremonial tea and read poetry under the moonlight.
Two brand new perfumes of the Annayake collection pay respect to the Moon by describing its various aspects. In Japanese calligraphy the Moon is presented with Enso character which is often connected with circle, symbol of light, endlessness, strength, elegance and richness of the Moon. Tsukiyo For Her and Tsukiyo for Him are limited editions which can be expected in Douglas stores starting from October 2015. Flacons take the characteristic shape of previous editions by Annayake (Miyabi Man, Miyabi Women, An’na Annayake, Kuroi, Shiroi)

Annayaky’s dedication to the moon: Tsukiyo For Him and Tsukiyo for Her

Annayake Tsukiyo For Women, is a floral, spicy, seductive and intoxicating fragrance inspired by evenings when the moonlight colors the sky in shades of amethyst, in a fascinating and seductive way. The composition starts with rose, mandarin and bergamot, followed by jasmine, peony and leather chords. The base is built around vanilla, styrax, patchouli and ambergris. The fragrance arrives as 100ml Eau de Parfum at the announced price of 79,95 euro as a limited edition.

Annayake Tsukiyo For Men is a woody-spicy-musk fragrance inspired by the nights when the moonlight colors the sky in indigo blue shades. This strong and dynamic masculine fragrance offers intense notes of black and pink pepper combined with cypress in the beginning. The heart develops aromas of elemi, benzoin and nutmeg, while the base is woody-musk (sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver, white musk, white cream). The fragrance is available as 100ml Eau de Toilette priced at 85 euro as limited edition.

Elie Saab Le Parfum L’Edition Argent

 

Renewing the magic of Holiday season, Elie Saab proposes a sparkling and shimmering year end, born from an explosion of light.

Inspired from Elie Saab‘s sumptuous creations embroidered with sparkling pearls and sequins, the iconic bottle of Elie Saab Le Parfum transforms gold into shades of silver in an explosion of glitters.

To echo the limited edition bottle, Elie Saab has designed a satiny silver box decorated with a gold rectangle which refinement adds a subtle contrast.

Francis Kurkdjian created a beautiful timeless feminine fragrance with Top note of orange blossom; Middle note of jasmine; and Base notes of patchouli, virginian cedar, rose and honey.

Elie Saab Le Parfum L’Edition Argent Eau de Parfum Vaporisateur is available as  30 ml – 52,50 €,  50 ml – 79,90€ and 90 ml, 107,90 €

 

L’Hommage à L’Homme

Hommage à L’Homme is a beautiful masculine fragrance by Lalique. The scent was launched in 2011 and the fragrance was created by perfumers Christine Nagel and Mathilde Bijaoui. A beautiful, virile, woody, spicy fragrance. A praise to masculinity and travel.

 

Lalique Hommage à L’Homme Eau de Toilette (Click photo to enlarge).

Lalique celebrated to be 20 years in the fragrant business… and many more in the business of providing precious crystals for perfumes. In order to mark this important anniversary, they launched a new masculine fragrance aboard the luxurious Orient Express. The chosen spot couldn’t be more laden with historical memory: Not only had René Lalique decorated several of the legendary train’s wagons with his ornate creations, but his grand-daughter Marie-Claude launched the first feminine scent by the house of Lalique, ‘Lalique de Lalique’, on the Orient Express herself in 1992. Nowadays Lalique counts 9 fragrances in their catalogs, 5 for women and 4 for men, distributed in a very selective circuit of doors.

Homage à L’Homme (Homage to Men), is a light spicy woody fragrance for men which reads as a ‘niche’ scent, developed by acclaimed perfumers Christine Nagel and Mathilde Bijaoui.

L’Hommage exists in a hazy netherworld where it’s basically a mainstream scent that’s much better than its brothers at the discount store, but it’s nowhere near as good as the artful scents it’s clearly inspired by.

• Top Note: Violet Leaf, Bergamot, Saffron
• Middle Note: Chili Leaf, Violet, Black Pepper
• Dry-down Note: Cistus, Oud, Musks

It goes on with that incredibly common ‘grape drink’ violet smell that masculine scents use to lure in inexperienced noses, but instead of mixing it with the bleachy aquatic smells it’s usually paired with, L’Hommage pairs it with a very nice pine forest smell. The grape keeps it sweet and inoffensive enough to not scare away consumers who would never wear a real top-notch smoky wood perfume, while a pinch of leathery oud simmers in the background. There’s a moment a few hours in where the grape has largely faded and the whole thing smells like a smoky pine forest with a pinch of oud, but L’Hommage maintains an artificial ‘fakeness’ that’s probably intended to keep it safe for the wear-it-to-work crowd, but that unfortunately also smothers any hope of real perfume transcendence. The drydown is just more sweet fake woods, now paired with pie spices, again, really not bad, but it could have been so much better (for the pampered people among us). But despite that: it’s one of the best mass-market scents I’ve smelled the last years. Hommage à l’homme smells ‘dressy’ and suited to all seasons, it has good sillage and excellent lasting power.

Limited edition: Lalique Hommage à L’Homme Extrait de Parfum in Crystal (Click photo to enlarge).

It is available in two declinations: Lalique Hommage à L’Homme Extrait de Parfum, 100ml, in crystal for collectors (cost 1200 euros) which is inspired by Art Deco style with the sculpted Pan-pipe man (on both sides of the bottle) , referencing the original sculpture made by René Lalique for the Orient Express in 1929. The Eau de Toilette bottle in glass, designed by Thierry de Baschmakoff (Aesthete), which is also inspired by Art Deco style, was inspired by another René Lalique project, the ‘Duncan’ bathroom accessories collection of 1931.

Lalique was also reissuing the flacon ‘chèvrefeuille’, decorated in gold, in a limited edition of 50 numbered pieces for collectors, in celebration of its 20th anniversary

What a gem from Lalique! It’s an absolute pleasure to smell and could not possibly offend anybody. I can recommended it as a blind buy for anyone in search of subtle sophistication and class. Considering the price, you can’t go wrong with Hommage a L’Homme, as Lalique continues to wow me with the care they put into their product and packages

by Jean Amr

 

My Burberry Eau de Parfum Limited Edition

A year after My Burberry’s launch, Burberry introduces a festive edition of My Burberry Eau De Parfum, the brand’s iconic fragrance for women, featuring shimmering golden snowflakes and a gold gabardine knot.

Some things in life are created purely for a moment of indulgence, to put a smile on our faces and evoke a feeling of joy. The new My Burberry festive fragrance is the embodiment of that in every way.

Not only is the scent delicious, elegant, sophisticated and timeless, but you can now pick up a bottle that contains tiny glittering snowflakes; like a snowglobe, you just need to give it a gentle shake to create a moment of theatre that will definitely brighten your morning when you spritz it onto your skin.

Burberry My Burberry, the standard version, and its ‘gold edition.

Presented in limited edition festive gold-coloured packaging, the top notes of this fragrance plays on the sweet pea and bergamot fuse with a heart of geranium, golden quince and freesia, rounded out with base notes of rain-tipped damask and centifolia roses and patchouli.

• Top notes: Sweet Pea, Bergamot
• Heart notes: Geranium, Golden Quince, Freesia
• Base notes: Damask, Centifolia Roses, Patchouli

This My Burberry ‘Gold’ Limited Edition is availble online and in stores. You can also get the bottle engraved with three initials of your choice, absolutely free, via Burberry.com or Selfridges.