OMG! What happened? If my beat truthfully included only Paris, September and October would have been delightfully but manageably crazy. In mid-September, the 5th Edition of Les Rives de la Beauté touched down in Paris, wreaking holy fragrant havoc on perfume and other art forms as they collided in a series of events on the left and right banks of the Seine. Annick Goutal, Atelier Cologne, Olfactive Studio, Cinquième Sens, Des Effluves & Des Oeuvres (In the Ere), Comme des Garçons, Trend Union, AESOP, and La Cour des Senteurs all saw serious action, while memorable storm parties erupted as if through spontaneous combustion at niche fragrance hot spots, Jovy, NOSE, and Liquides. A week later it was more than an aftershock when Jovoy erupted again, this time setting off fireworks in an over-the-top 90th birthday celebration. In the middle of all this, Jean-Claude Ellena spoke about ‘The New International Perfume Museum’ and signed his new book, La Note Verte (The Green Note) at the monthly SFP lecture series, and rumor had it that Zero Zero’s ‘Blood’ was launching at Colette.
What made things out of control crazy (and therefore even more enchanting) was that an important niche fragrance trade show, Pitti Fragranze was taking place the week before in Florence, and it was imperative that I be there. Right? And while in Florence, how could I resist the rare opportunity of a private, behind the scenes, tour of the famed Santa Maria Novella.
Oh yes, and then there was America. In what posterity will surely say was a rash move, I accepted invitations to give a series of perfume workshops across the state of North Carolina in mid-October. Groups in Chapel Hill, Wilmington, and Fayetteville hosted “Fragrances of 18th Century France and Colonial America” workshops, while another group (in Chapel Hill again — Go, Tarheels!) incited me to create an entirely new fragrance workshop genre: ‘The Bad Girls’ Fragrance Workshop’ (see ‘Workshops’ section of this website).
So brace yourselves. It’s been far from dull this fall in the French-Italian-US Perfume Corridor, and full reports are on the way. Meanwhile, to whet your appetite see who you recognize in the composite photo.
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Hi, Excellent You! xx
Sarah – the site looks fantastique. Congrats! xx Uli
Thanks, Uli! Get ready for some un-censored Pitti-Uli-news coming soon.
Hi, Sarah – that’s quite a composite! And so are you!
Hooray! xx Nancy
Glad you like the total picture, Nancy. Catherine Vileminot did the photo composite for me. C u soon by air, land, or sea. s
How do you qualify bad girl?
Look in a mirror, Kate.
Hi Sarah –
Sorry I missed the bad girls – FYI, the rumor is true, the Blood perfume I made for Zero Zero project is at Colette now.
The Bad Girls missed you too, Darryl. And FYI they’re out for your Blood.
Stunning. As always
Thanks, Susu. Let me know if you’d like me to write about something in particular. C u soon I hope.
Great Sarah, as usual!
See you soon, W
Thanks Wouter. More news and pix from Les Rives de la Beauté coming soon.
Excellent Sarah – thank you
Glad you like it, Ralph. Let me know if there is anything in particular you’d like me to talk about.
I’m exhausted just reading it! So exciting! Congrats! We just need to get some workshops in Arizona!
Just say the word, Arizona Susan, and I’ll be on my way!
Who knew life would be so much fun at this age?!! You’re amazing, Sarah!