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Rasei Fort reveals what drives his passion for creating delightful fragrances and how he became inspired to set up Manle Parfum and bring his unique perfumes to a wider public.

Fort and Manlé Parfum: Creating Unique and Beatiful Perfumes

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James Heeley, the proud creator of Heeley Parfums, has a strong sense of what makes a good perfume and has an overriding passion for scents that are elegant and pleasurable &#8211; all can be purchased at Scented Niche.

James Heeley: Perfumes to Pleasure

Smelling good doesn&#8217;t always require the use of perfumes, especially if you find them to be overwhelming or don&#8217;t suit your preferences. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternative ways to smell fantastic without relying on traditional perfumes. In this article, we bring you different methods you can use to smell pleasant and fresh all day long.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Use Scented Body Lotions or Oils</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/face-cream-g9e8a52a9b_1280.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-76468" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/face-cream-g9e8a52a9b_1280.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/face-cream-g9e8a52a9b_1280-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/face-cream-g9e8a52a9b_1280-420x280.jpg 420w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


Scented body lotions or oils with natural scents such as lavender, rosewater, or citrus can have a lasting and refreshing effect on your body, leaving a pleasant aroma. In addition to having you smell good, these products can help moisturize and soften your skin, leaving it with a silky and smooth feel. And unlike perfumes, scented lotions or oils tend to be less overpowering, making them perfect for those sensitive to heavy fragrances.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Opt for Natural Deodorants</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="500" height="750" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pexels-nam-mau-13931592.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-76469" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pexels-nam-mau-13931592.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pexels-nam-mau-13931592-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pexels-nam-mau-13931592-187x280.jpg 187w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure></div>


Switching from antiperspirants to natural deodorants is another way to smell good without perfume. These natural deodorants are free from artificial fragrances and chemicals and have natural ingredients like baking soda, witch hazel, or essential oils. These ingredients help to neutralize odour-causing bacteria and absorb moisture, keeping you feeling fresh throughout the day. Natural deodorants come in a variety of scents and formulas, allowing you to find one that suits your preferences.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Use Essential Oils</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="500" height="755" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/essential-oils-g0800a0be4_1280.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-76467" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/essential-oils-g0800a0be4_1280.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/essential-oils-g0800a0be4_1280-200x302.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/essential-oils-g0800a0be4_1280-185x280.jpg 185w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure></div>


Essential oils are a great alternative to traditional perfumes. Unlike perfumes which often contain synthetic chemicals, essential oils are natural plant extracts. This means that essential oils are generally considered to be a more natural option, which may be appealing to those looking for a more holistic approach to personal care. They come in a wide range of scents and can be mixed and matched to create your own unique aroma. Apply a few drops of your favourite essential oil to your pulse points, such as the wrists, behind the ears, or at the base of your neck and they would exude a subtle fragrance throughout the day. However, be cautious about using concentrated essential oils directly on the skin and always dilute them with a carrier oil before application.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Freshen Up With Herbal Mists</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="500" height="750" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-7526013.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-76470" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-7526013.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-7526013-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-7526013-187x280.jpg 187w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure></div>


Similar to essential oils, herbal mists are composed of natural ingredients derived from plants, making them a more natural and eco-friendly choice compared to synthetic perfumes. They often contain herbal extracts, essential oils, and botanical waters, which can have soothing and refreshing properties. Additionally, herbal mists are typically alcohol-free, making them gentle on the skin. They can be used throughout the day to provide a subtle scent. Simply spray a light mist over your body or clothes for a fine and delightful fragrance. Furthermore, herbal mists often come in a variety of scents, allowing for a range of options to suit different preferences and moods.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Make your clothes smell better</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="512" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pexels-rdne-stock-project-5591961.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-76471" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pexels-rdne-stock-project-5591961.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pexels-rdne-stock-project-5591961-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pexels-rdne-stock-project-5591961-420x280.jpg 420w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


Ensuring that your clothes smell nice is also a great way to smell good. This can be done while doing your laundry by including fabric conditioners that infuse your clothes with a pleasant and long-lasting fragrance. As they are designed specifically for use with laundry, fabric conditioners effectively permeate the fibres of your clothes, leaving them smelling fresh and clean. You can also follow it up with scented dryer sheets or sachets by placing them in drawers, closets, or even in your suitcase to keep your personal belongings smelling fresh. They add an extra layer of pleasant scent to your clothes and linens.

Beyond Perfume: Unconventional Ways To Smell Amazing

Aromas have an unusually powerful role when it comes to unlocking our memories. As a result, it is more than possible to deliberately deploy them as a means of commemorating particularly significant life events and underlining their importance. Just ask anyone who has bought and worn a unique, personally selected scent at a specific point in their life and they will inevitably assure you that such a favoured fragrance always comes with a distinct whiff of nostalgia.
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A Scent, indeed, has the power to transport us and recapture the emotional significance of time gone by. For particularly momentous occasions, it is often important to opt for a scent with direct emotional appeal, a scent that forever afterward can transport you back to that special day, allowing you to relive that&nbsp;formative experience many times over the course of a lifetime.
In the case of Hong Kong’s most evocative perfume brands, they have a long and noble heritage, while the artistry behind their formulation has never stopped evolving. From choosing just the right scent profile for a special event to committing to a signature everyday fragrance, there are, however, a number of guiding principles it more than pays to be aware of.
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Exquisite options 
Overall, it’s best not to be too preoccupied with passing fads or limited seasonality when selecting a scent. Instead, it’s always best to opt for something that truly reflects just who you are. This could be something you already see as your signature, a wholly new scent or indeed, a combination of the two when in doubt.
In the latter instance, the beauty of layering aromas is that it tailors a signature scent, inevitably adding a twist of something new. John Paulo, the founder of Artisenses, has long been a master of this particular process. When it opened its doors in 2014, his company was Asia’s first professional provider of customised, innovative scent solutions.
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His team prides itself on delivering memorable guest experiences, frequently creating bespoke luxury scents for events such as weddings, where the bride and groom, as well as the guests, all get to create their own fragrances. The company’s Scent Bar is geared to letting clients create scents specific to any event’s theme, while also facilitating any required collaboration with many well-known perfume brands.
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Rebel smell 
Evoking a designated mood is, of course, always something of a priority. From its name and apparent positioning alone, is clear that, in this regard, Esscentric – Perfume for Rebels, courtesy of Jodie Chan, is very much targeting a somewhat bolder client base. Generally, people use perfumes to silently announce their personalities, with stronger scents betokening certain maturity and sensuality, making them ideal for celebrations of a more romantic one. This is very much the case with Chan’s perfume line, which is specifically dedicated to people who work hard all day and play hard all night.
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Expanding on her perfume-for-partygoers- approach, Chan says: “Esscentric’s perfume oils will keep you fresh, alert and irresistible. They are intimate and subtle. You can stay balanced when everyone in the world is going crazy.
“Basically, I make perfume for rebels, those who won’t stand for the synthetic products available on the general market, those who want something different and original and who embrace their age, while seldom revealing the exact number.”
Packaged in a customised leather holster with a detachable chain, these perfumes double as fashion statements. In order that they can be always to hand, they can be chained to belt loops or even worn around the neck.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-68429" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/0f7b399b-9cff-44d4-9851-0c85013ef9e2.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="933"> 
The right mix 
Of course, in particular, everyone desires a product that works with their unique body chemistry, something that never smells the same on two different people (largely because the pH level of each individual’s skin has an impact on how a perfume will be experienced). This is why the best body areas to spray fragrances on are pulse points, such as the neck or wrist, both of which tend to give off considerable heat. There is also a reason why certain perfumes are formulated specifically for men or women &#8211; the different chromosomes of the two sexes.
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Weather is also something to consider, especially in Hong Kong where the humidity can be almost as high as 100%. In such an instance a good bet would be Parisine, a unisex fragrance collection suitable for a variety of wardrobe options, which integrates the aromas of several century-old classic French perfume houses, including such legendary and iconic brands as Nogara and D’ORSAY. At its scent bar, perfumiers are typically on hand to help craft a custom fragrance for daily use and special occasions. Taking into account an individual’s personal style, they aim to recommend the optimal scent, complete with a range of base and boost notes.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-68436" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Parisine_HK_PRINT-_-WEB_FULL-RES_sRGB_017.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="467">
Before wearing any new scent to a high profile occasion, try it out for a few days to ensure you have a good connection with it. This gives you the chance to reassess your impression of the fragrance for its longevity.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-68435" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2018.11.13-Parisine-143.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="467">
It’s also crucial that any smell you’re wearing makes you feel confident and at ease. While many tend to gauge a new fragrance through the reactions of others, this, however, may not be the most reliable of indicators, given the likelihood that most commentators will favour politeness over the possibility of giving offence. Ultimately, you have to stay true to yourself and rely on your common sense when it comes to personal scents.
&nbsp;
Text: Joseff Musa

Bespoke Perfumes to make your day scentsantional

Forget frankincense, and patchouli is so last century. Jasmine? Well, that’s just mundane. There’s a surprising five-star ingredient in the world of luxury scents that has been wafting into the Western consciousness of late. It is intense enough to stir the most jaded nose, and sufficiently surreal to intrigue non-traditionalists. Rich, woody, soft yet smoky; astoundingly rare, exotically precious and more expensive than gold – please give it up for oud.
Fragrance is subjective, yet oud (pronounced ‘oodh’) is the universal, lingering combination of luxury, fantasy and passion, blurring the line between great and extraordinary. Often described as “the scent from heaven” or “liquid gold”, it was ignored by the European master perfumers for thousands of years, but it’s once hidden sensuality is now finally etched in the scent-makers’ palette. Giving a modern spin to this old-world ingredient, they are experimenting with notes and creating strangely irresistible, singular, exclusive and sometimes startling blends.
<figure id="attachment_63908" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-63908" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-63908 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-10.png" alt="Ode to Oud agard wood fragrance perfume gafencu 10" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-10.png 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-10-200x133.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-10-600x399.png 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-10-421x280.png 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-10-120x80.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-10-500x333.png 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-10-400x266.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-63908" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo courtesy of Tom Ford)</figcaption></figure>
The Trail of Scent: From Tom Ford to MFK&nbsp;
The scent was first introduced to the Western world by designer Tom Ford in 2007 in his Oud Wood perfume. As Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie in Harrods, London, where the initial collection was showcased, put it:
<blockquote>“Tom Ford creates the most directional fragrances; where he leads, others follow.”</blockquote>
They were right: Jo Malone, Christian Dior, Armani Privé and Maison Francis Kurkdjian tapped into the trend and oud soon became mainstream – if that’s the right word for something so rarefied. The prospect of getting under people’s skin and bagging a share of the fragrance industry’s massive US$31 billion year-on-year revenue stream led to the bottling of an enticing number of such rich, woody, smoky and sensual perfumes.
Visionary French master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, who boasts a keen understanding of how raw ingredients behave, finds oud fascinating. He’s drawn to its animalistic notes, finding it “a wild beast (yet) to be tamed”. So, what exactly is oud – where does it come from, and what makes it one of the most expensive fragrance ingredients known to the human nose?
<figure id="attachment_63907" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-63907" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-63907 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-9.png" alt="Ode to Oud agard wood fragrance perfume gafencu 9" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-9.png 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-9-200x133.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-9-600x399.png 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-9-421x280.png 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-9-120x80.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-9-500x333.png 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-9-400x266.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-63907" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo courtesy of Maison Francis Kurkdijian)</figcaption></figure>
Smells like Money 
Not a pretty plant, oud is Arabic for wood and is derived exclusively from the agar, a tree in the evergreen Aquilaria family. When the heartwood of agar is infected with a specific type of mould, it oozes a sticky, scented resin to protect itself from the parasitic infection. The oil from this resin – oud or agarwood – is extremely precious. There is nothing quite like it in the olfactory world – dark, sensual and intense, kilo for kilo it is more expensive than gold but strangely it’s just an incredibly aromatic anti-fungal!
“The scent has a fruity facet … and a very waxy side. It’s potent animal inflection is powerful, persistent and very special”
The main reason oud is so expensive is its rarity; not every tree gets infected with mould and thus emits the rich resin. For reasons still unknown to science, only some two to seven percent of wild agar trees produce this gooey ‘gold’, and experts claim the very best oud comes from the oldest trees, which are even more scant. Lower quality oud may cost about US$5,000 per kilogram, but the finest variety of Cambodian oud can easily command beyond 10 times that price. But price is directly proportional to ageing – a decade ago, an anonymous collector gave US$7,000 for barely half a teaspoon of pure oud oil made in 1982 for Sultan Qaboos of Oman from 100-year-old agarwood trees.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-63905 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-5.png" alt="Ode to Oud agard wood fragrance perfume gafencu 5" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-5.png 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-5-200x133.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-5-600x399.png 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-5-421x280.png 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-5-120x80.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-5-500x333.png 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-5-400x266.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
History of Agarwood&nbsp; 
Writings from the Tang and Song Dynasties show agarwood was a valued commodity in China. Its intoxicating scent was revered across religions and there is evidence of it being extracted for fragrance in Vietnam as early as the third century A.D. 
Renowned for his heady, enchanting perfumes, Kurkdjian travelled to Laos and Cambodia to source a “very specific type of oud, aged for 15 years and harvested with the strictest quality standards”. The scent, which infuses the maison’s Oud eau de parfum, has “a very fruity facet, reminiscent of peach and saffron, and has a very waxy side. Its potent animal inflection is powerful, persistent and very special.”
From Assam (India) to Middle East &#8211; Thirst for Gold 
Oud possesses a cultural significance in the Middle East that is hard for outsiders to grasp. When burned in the house to welcome guests, wafts of the delicious, musky aroma linger in a precious, purified trail. Gifted to wives, bosses and friends, each chip of agarwood tells a different scented story, encapsulating the culture and life of Arabs. There is no such olfactory parallel in the Western realm.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-63906 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-8.png" alt="Ode to Oud agard wood fragrance perfume gafencu 8" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-8.png 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-8-200x133.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-8-600x399.png 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-8-421x280.png 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-8-120x80.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-8-500x333.png 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-8-400x266.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
Oud worn in the Middle East smells very different from the scent that infuses today’s Western perfumes. Abdulla Ajmal, third-generation scion of the Ajmal Perfumes family of India, says that foreign perfumers douse the earthiness of oud by blending it with the likes of patchouli, jasmine, bergamo, green neroli and tuberose. Traditionally in the Arab world, the liquid gold stands on its own as an essential oil.
Ajmal Perfumes, which moved to Dubai in the 1970s, has long sourced its high-quality agarwood chips from Assam, India. With rising demand and scarce supply, industry players keep tight-lipped about the exact location of the aromatic wood. “Everyone has their sources and they’re protective about them,” says Ajmal. “Only dealers on the ground know where the wild Aquilaria forests exist and haven’t yet been destroyed.”
<blockquote>
“Only dealers on the ground know where the wild Aquilaria forests exist and haven’t yet been destroyed”
</blockquote>
The chance occurrence of resin formation has led to considerable swathes of Aquilaria trees being destroyed. One can’t look at a tree and tell if its trunk is infected with oud, so farmers chop them down in the hope of extracting huge rewards. This has gone on for centuries, leaving the tree endangered in most Southeast Asian countries.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-63904 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-3.png" alt="Ode to Oud agard wood fragrance perfume gafencu 3" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-3.png 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-3-200x133.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-3-600x399.png 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-3-421x280.png 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-3-120x80.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-3-500x333.png 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ode-to-Oud-agard-wood-fragrance-perfume-gafencu-3-400x266.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
As the stock of 100-year-old agarwood borders on extinction, several perfumers have established their own plantations. When the tree reaches maturity, it is injected with the artificial bacterium to cultivate oud. Chemically, the experiment is a success, though Ajmal says this fragrance pales in comparison to what his grandfather could gather a few decades ago.
The staggering shortage has prompted some fragrance houses to turn to synthetic, lab-made oud, but it’s not an easy substance to mimic. Ajmal notes, you can smell the “cheap, artificial stuff from 50 feet”. It is, indeed, not the rich, woody, smoky, animalistic scent we have come to treasure.
The full version of this feature appears on Gafencu Magazine’s January 2022 print issue as ❝Ode to Oud❞&nbsp;by&nbsp;Nikita Mishra. Download the&nbsp;<a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://apps.apple.com/cn/app/gafencu-men/id541555130?l=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free app </a>(<a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://apps.apple.com/cn/app/gafencu-men/id541555130?l=en">iOS</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gafencu.android" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Android</a>)&nbsp;for digital editions of the magazine.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/charting-the-rise-of-coffee-culture-around-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ruling the Roast: Charting the rise of coffee culture around the world</a>

Ode to Oud agard wood fragrance perfume gafencu

Here’s what makes  ❛oud❜ more expensive than gold!

Aurora par Charles Wong Eau de parfum, the perfume brand founded by renowned luxury lifestyle connoisseur and fragrance enthusiast Charles Wong, has recently unveiled an enticing new aroma in the form of the Linderhof am Morgen. We sat with Wong to find out more&#8230;
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What led you to start Aurora par Charles Wong Eau de parfum?&nbsp;
The idea was sparked by my visit to the French region of Grasse, the world capital of perfume, during my birthday trip back in 2017. While there, I made my very first personally blended fragrance in one of the prestigious perfume house; after coming back to Hong Kong, a thought just came across my head that I should turn that into a product, my very own ‘design’, that’s how Aurora par Charles Wong was born.&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_54763" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-54763" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-54763" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Charles-Wong-founder-of-Aurora-par-Charles-Wong-Eau-de-parfum.jpg" alt="Charles Wong, founder of Aurora par Charles Wong Eau de parfum" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Charles-Wong-founder-of-Aurora-par-Charles-Wong-Eau-de-parfum.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Charles-Wong-founder-of-Aurora-par-Charles-Wong-Eau-de-parfum-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Charles-Wong-founder-of-Aurora-par-Charles-Wong-Eau-de-parfum-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Charles-Wong-founder-of-Aurora-par-Charles-Wong-Eau-de-parfum-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Charles-Wong-founder-of-Aurora-par-Charles-Wong-Eau-de-parfum-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Charles-Wong-founder-of-Aurora-par-Charles-Wong-Eau-de-parfum-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Charles-Wong-founder-of-Aurora-par-Charles-Wong-Eau-de-parfum-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-54763" class="wp-caption-text">Charles Wong, founder of Aurora par Charles Wong Eau de parfum</figcaption></figure>
Tell us a little bit about your latest product, Linderhof am Morgen.&nbsp; What inspired it, and what does it smell like?&nbsp; What makes it so special?&nbsp;
The latest fragrance, ‘Linderhof am Morgen’, is my second fragrance, which was inspired by my visit in Linderhof, the former residence of the late Bavaria King, Ludwig II, in 2017. It was an early morning when I was visited, and the scenario is so surreal and impressive that I was spurred to capture it – a kind of airy, serene and fairytale like appeal, yet, one that’s equally majestic, splendid, elegant and real.&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_54765" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-54765" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-54765" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Linderhof-am-Morgen.jpg" alt="Linderhof am Morgen" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Linderhof-am-Morgen.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Linderhof-am-Morgen-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Linderhof-am-Morgen-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Linderhof-am-Morgen-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Linderhof-am-Morgen-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Linderhof-am-Morgen-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Linderhof-am-Morgen-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-54765" class="wp-caption-text">Linderhof am Morgen</figcaption></figure>
This new fragrance features a couple of my favorite scents in it: the blue hyacinth, the fig, the greenery elements, and an Asian element which I specifically asked my French perfumer to create – the Japanese tofu cream – to capture the lightness and purity of a white swan’s feather, which in turn pays homage the majestic creature that symbolises the Swan King, King Ludwig II himself.&nbsp;
The special thing about my fragrance is that the uniqueness of its creation. It pairs the creative direction from a Hong Konger and an expertise from a French perfumer, and is made in the world capital of perfume, Grasse, in France. Apart from using high quality ingredients and the rigorous workmanship, the decoration of each bottle of fragrance are all handcrafted by myself, made literally with my heart and soul.&nbsp;
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-54764" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Linderhof-am-Morgen-2.jpg" alt="Linderhof am Morgen 2" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Linderhof-am-Morgen-2.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Linderhof-am-Morgen-2-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Linderhof-am-Morgen-2-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Linderhof-am-Morgen-2-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Linderhof-am-Morgen-2-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Linderhof-am-Morgen-2-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Linderhof-am-Morgen-2-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
How do perfumes add to our lives, and what goes into making them?&nbsp;
I always compare fragrance to invisible clothes, something that can’t be touched or seen but literally sparks the senses. Every person wearing the same fragrance will have a completely different interpretation and feeling, but one thing is for sure, it gives each of us joy and pleasure, something unique to one’s persona, attire and make-up.&nbsp;
Creating a refined fragrance requires not only passion but hard work, really, a courage to keep doing and trying, a great sense of style and sophistication is a plus, but it’s all down to the execution, and eyes on detail.&nbsp;
Thank you.

Linderhof am Morgen: A deliciously aromatic scent courtesy of Aurora par Charles Wong Eau de parfum

Mademoiselle Azzaro&#8216;s&nbsp;latest creation L’Eau Très Florale is bringing back the playful and girlish scents of springtime. Redolent with the Parisian spirit, the fragrance is inspired by the stylish and vivacious Parisian lady who radiates joy in the sunny weather, but of course this elegant perfume is not limited to just her!
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-40831" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/perfume2.png" alt="Mademoiselle Azzaro" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/perfume2.png 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/perfume2-200x133.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/perfume2-421x280.png 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/perfume2-120x80.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/perfume2-500x333.png 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/perfume2-400x266.png 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/perfume2-600x399.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
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<a href="https://www.azzaro.com/int/fragrances/the-brand">Loris Azzaro</a>, the founder of&nbsp;Azzaro&nbsp;fashion brand set out in the &#8217;60s to create unique yet fashionable pieces, and as he extended his creative process into fragrances he ensured ladies would smell as beautiful as they looked in his designs.&nbsp;
The latest perfume on offer from Mademoiselle&nbsp;Azzaro,&nbsp;L’Eau Très Florale delights with hints of hazel leaves, rhubarb, and ambrette seeds. Infused in its petite and charming bottle, is the essence of fresh and floral Springtime, all wrapped in with a delicate silver satin bow.&nbsp;
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-40830" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/perfume.png" alt="Mademoiselle Azzaro" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/perfume.png 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/perfume-200x133.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/perfume-421x280.png 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/perfume-120x80.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/perfume-500x333.png 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/perfume-400x266.png 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/perfume-600x399.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
If one fragrance from the charming brand isn&#8217;t enough,&nbsp;Mademoiselle Azzaro features two other scents in its fragrance collection. Designed and captured within the same petite bottle as&nbsp;L’Eau Très Florale&nbsp;is the pink, liberated and elegant&nbsp;Mademoiselle Azzaro Eau de Toilette. Like it&#8217;s Springtime cousin, the fragrance imbibes the goodness of flowers, but also includes a fresh twist of iris wood and peach. The other equally fascinating aroma from the maison comes courtesy of&nbsp;L&#8217;Eau Très Floral Belle,&nbsp;a fragrance that&#8217;s crafted with blueberry, roses and violet-macaroons – in effect, a romantic whirlwind for our olfactory senses.&nbsp;
Taking the women of Hong Kong and the world over on an amourous aroma therapy, all three variations of the&nbsp;Mademoiselle Azzaro&nbsp;are available now at Sogo Causeway Bay and New Yao Han in Macau.
Text: Bailey Atkinson

Mademoiselle Azzaro debuts the L’Eau Très Florale fragrance

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For the perfume industry, the paradigm shift started in the early 2000s, when French perfume Editions de Parfums hit the market in an innocuous, minimalist bottle. It went on to become so popular that it caught Estée Lauder’s attention which bought the brand a few years back.
With more and more perfume brands entering the market and becoming niche favourites every year, it seems that celebrity endorsements, marketing gimmicks and fancy packaging are no longer being able to pull crowds.
The latest to join the niche perfume market is iconic French iconic candle-maker, Trudon. As royal manufacturers of scented candles since 1643, expanding to the perfume business was a natural move, according to the brand’s director Elodie Herreria. Breaking away from the stereotype of masculine and feminine binaries, Trudon aims to create an olfactory expression that references character rather than gender.
Acclaimed perfumers, Lyn Harris, Antoine Lie and Yann Vasnier, have infused the collection with rich mix of historical notes with modern twists.
Cryptically named Bruma, II, Mortel, Olim and Revolution, the five scents pay tribute to the brand’s rich French heritage. While Bruma (our personal recommendation) and Olim reference the radiance and vanity of the royal era, II is a nod to new beginnings. Revolution and Mortel are more complex expressions, with hints of upheaval and mysticism.
Presented in simple bottles with stark labels, the five scents are devoid of any frills and are left to speak for themselves. And speak they do, appealing to our innermost senses of beauty and harmony.
Retail price: HK$1,900/100 ml
Available at SHHH Boutique, G/F, 94 Hollywood Road, Central&nbsp;
Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Cire Trudon launches niche perfumes with a whiff of history

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-27355" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Untitled-design-4-1-420x280.jpg" alt="" width="570" height="380">
Building on its fascination with gender, Prada’s upcoming line of ‘Intense’ men’s and women’s perfumes is a study on the unique aromatic characteristics of each sex.
The sincerity and intensity of this focus is well captured by Miuccia Prada, who says, “With perfume, you can’t play. It is what it is, you have to go to the core.”
The L’Homme Prada Intense offers a masculine aromatic blend of amber, patchouli and iris. This is further enhanced by the oriental signature of tonka beans.
The La Femme Prada Intense, on the other hand, is inspired by the most fundamental of feminine scents: the flower. Tuberose, ylang-ylang and patchouli are just some of the notes that make up this lush floral scent.
As divergent as the two perfumes are, Prada’s latest olfactory offerings are meant to compliment rather than contrast – a showcase of what constitutes a Prada man and Prada woman.
So if you’re looking for that perfect his-and-hers gift, give these new scents a sniff.
L’Homme Prada Intense EDP 50ml: HK$675 
L’Homme Prada Intense EDP 100ml: HK$925 
La Femme Prada Intense EDP 35ml: HK$725 
La Femme Prada Intense EDP 50ml: HK$1,000 
La Femme Prada Intense EDP 100ml: HK$1,420
The new perfumes are available at Prada beauty counters in all major shopping malls across Hong Kong, including SOGO, Lane Crawford, Harvey Nichols, etc.

Intensely yours: Prada’s new scents are a study on gender

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-25979" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-10-6-420x280.jpg" alt="" width="686" height="457" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-10-6-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-10-6-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-10-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-10-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-10-6-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-10-6-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-10-6-400x267.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-10-6-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-10-6.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 686px) 100vw, 686px" />
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When French perfume house Editions de Parfums hit the market in 2000, it was a game-changer. Here you had no celebrity endorsements, no marketing gimmicks and no-frills packaging. Presented in a minimalist bottle with a simple black label strapped across the centre, the scent is left to speak for itself.
While Editions is still considered niche, it became so sought after that it eventually caught Estée Lauder’s attention. The beauty powerhouse acquired Editions about two years ago, and other niche labels have been snapped up just as fast by major corporations. Most recently, niche perfumer Maison Francis Kurkdjian was bought by luxury goods conglomerate LVMH. Beyond the mundane business of mergers and acquisitions, one thing is clear: Niche is in, and bigname brands are out.
French perfume expert Axelle Frachon believes this is smart business, but the ample options also make it an exciting time to be in the market for a new fragrance.
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-25980" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-7-1-420x280.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="453">
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The shift to niche was predicted long ago by Editions de Parfums founder Frédéric Malle, who recognised that perfume makers were tired of churning out commercialised scents that depended on celebrity endorsements to sell. Consumers were bored, too.
“The fragrance industry almost died because of all the celebrity fragrances,” Malle says, explaining that Europeans were so underwhelmed by the available choices that many stopped wearing perfume altogether. What modern, fragrance-savvy men and women really want is quality – and it’s a factor they’re unwilling to compromise on.&nbsp;“Slowly but surely, they are coming back to us because … there are some very good collections,” Malle says.
From the get-go, Malle took a different approach to perfume-making. He eschewed fancy bottles and brand ambassadors, instead opting to celebrate the hitherto unknown perfume makers who bring his ideas to life. Each fragrance bears the name of the individual perfumer who created it.
“They think only of images and not of the perfume,” Malle says of mainstream perfumers. The cheaper the perfume, the fancier the bottle … We have different quality standards. It’s a different level – the ultimate luxury in perfume.”
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-25981" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-1-2-420x280.jpg" alt="" width="677" height="451" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-1-2-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-1-2-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-1-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-1-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-1-2-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-1-2-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-1-2-400x267.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-1-2-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-1-2.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 677px) 100vw, 677px" />
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Aside from Editions, there’s no shortage of self-proclaimed niche perfumes on the market right now, but beware of brands that use it solely as a buzz word. For those wondering how to separate the professionals from the amateurs, Frachon has a few recommendations. Paul Emilien (UK) and Histoires de Parfums (France) both make high-quality fragrances, Frachon says. If a quintessentially French eau de parfum is what you seek, even more options await. “The perfumes of Nicolaï are elegant, chic and easy to wear,” says Frachon. “I also enjoy the richness of Parfum d’Empire, the beautiful raw quality of Les Indémodables and the humour and edginess of État Libre d’Orange.”
For brands that are more readily accessible in Hong Kong, pop into IFC Mall to sample scents by French label Diptyque or British perfumer Penhaligon’s. Parfumerie Trésor in Sheung Wan (G/F, 18 Upper Station Street) is the best shop in the city for niche fragrances, Frachon says.
Although the perfume industry is closely associated with France, other brands around the world have proven to be formidable competitors. Byredo, founded in Sweden in 2006, has taken the niche market by storm with its seductive scents and innovative application methods.
In addition to a traditional spray bottle, Byredo also makes scents in powder form that can be applied with a brush. The fragrances are certainly unique, too. The Bibliothèque (library) scent, available in perfume and candle form, captures the essence of old books through a blend of peach, plum, peony, violet, leather, patchouli and vanilla.
Gypsy Water, “a glamorisation of the Romany lifestyle”, is a bohemian blend of bergamot, juniper berries, lemon, pepper, pine needle, amber, vanilla and more.
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-25982" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-2-1-420x280.jpg" alt="" width="686" height="457" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-2-1-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-2-1-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-2-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-2-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-2-1-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-2-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-2-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-2-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Untitled-design-2-1.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 686px) 100vw, 686px" />
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Another alternative perfumer is Jo Malone, which is particularly popular in Hong Kong. One of the brand’s newest colognes, English Oak, comes in two varieties: redcurrant and hazelnut. Although most of Jo Malone’s colognes tend to be perceived as masculine, they aren’t specifically marketed to men – and indeed, many women enjoy wearing the brand’s floral fragrances.
Unisex scents have been picking up steam in the industry and are now considered “quite trendy”, according to Frachon. “I think this trend is following a social evolution towards more equality. People don’t want to be defined according to their sex anymore,” she says.&nbsp;“Furthermore, fragrant raw materials don’t have sex. It’s our culture that considers woody notes more masculine than floral ones. In the Middle East it’s very common for men to wear rose perfumes, for example.”
Like Editions de Parfums, Jo Malone was acquired by Estée Lauder, which also owns Le Labo. In a similar vein, Byredo and Diptyque are owned by the same investment firm, and L’Artisan Parfumeur and Penhaligon’s are both Puig brands.
Being bought by a larger company allows niche brands to greatly expand their distribution network, all while retaining their own ethos – for now at least. Established perfume houses are capitalising on the niche trend in other ways, too.
“Even the big traditional brands are launching their ‘niche’ style ranges,” Frachon says. “Think about the Hermessences from Hermès, or Les Exclusifs de Chanel, and what about the new fragrances from Louis Vuitton? Are they niche or not?” Frachon leaves it up to consumers to decide, but notes that shoppers “can find a lot of variety on the perfumery market” right now.
While the major maisons like Chanel and Dior are still king in Hong Kong, more and more people are beginning to appreciate the nuances and complexity of fragrances, contributing to the growing demand for more personalised perfumes. This has fuelled the popularity of brands that offer bespoke perfume-making services which tailor a scent to a customer’s preferences and personality.
Frachon’s French Elixir in Hong Kong works with a few independent perfumers to create customised fragrances. Perfumers get to know clients’ preferences by having them smell raw materials, and they also try to get a feel for the client’s personality and needs. After a perfume is created, clients receive a sample and have the chance to make adjustments as they see fit.
“Perfume is about creating magic – making people dream with just a spray,” Frachon says. “It’s about bringing some luxury into your daily life.”
The perfume industry’s embrace of sugar, spice and everything niche has made shopping for fragrances a more playful experience, with surprises at every turn. Are you a Mister Marvelous (Byredo) or the perfect Portrait of a Lady (Editions de Parfums)? If you’re unsure, let your nose lead the way.
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Text: Emily Petsko

Tag: perfume