Sandra‘s Closet

«You never fall in love with perfection. You can be attracted to someone gorgeous but that’s not what will make you ultimately fall in love with this person. You fall in love with his/her imperfections and what makes them unique to you.» Kilian Hennessy.

KILIAN PARIS crafts in Can’t stop loving You a true love declaration: a perfume celebrating love, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Created by founder Kilian Hennessy in collaboration with perfumer Alberto Morillas, Can’t stop loving You enters the Narcotics olfactive family with, at the centerpiece, North African Orange Blossom. A flower to express the emotion carried by the name of the fragrance, as it is the symbol of eternal love. Alongside with Paradisone, an ethereal jasmine compound suggests pure paradise.

Its heart is incredibly suave, featuring Honey absolute from Provence, a new ingredient in the KILIAN PARIS repertoire, for a delicious French touch. Vanilla absolute from Madagascar adds a doubly gourmand incitement to pleasure, while notes of Oak Moss bring an earthy intensity. Incense extract from Somalia lends sensuality, volume and endless mystery.

To increase the intensity of the desire, Can’t stop loving You is surrounded by one of Kilian Hennessy’s favorite ingredients, Labdanum cistus absolute. A strongly ambery, balsamic-like gum, hand harvested for more than 100 years in Andalusia, Southwest of Spain – a place dear to the founder, where he decided to settle down. Labdanum cistus protects itself from the sun and heat by producing a gum that envelops twings and leaves, a symbol of natural truth. Being also one of the most sensual raw material in perfumery, it brings warmth and an animalic dimension to the fragrance: «It is an ingredient that, worn on skin, has nothing comparable, it is sensuality in its purest state,» explains Kilian Hennessy.

This feature echo founder’s belief inspired by the divine Achilles’ shield, also engraved on the endlessly refillable perfume bottle, that a fragrance can be as much a weapon of seduction as a protective armor. Both luminous and somber, Can’t stop loving You is a narcotic floral fragrance that puts peace in danger.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © KILIAN PARIS and © Sandra Bauknecht / Flowers by Rosenbouquet.ch
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Today is the birthday of my dear aquarius friend Mary Katrantzou. who launched a beautiful scent with BVLGARI, that reminds me of those warm, endless summer days.

Inspired by the joyful spirit, vibrant allure and unbridled exuberance of Omnia, fashion designer Mary Katrantzou created an exclusive new fragrance in collaboration with Master Perfumer Alberto Morillas.

«Growing up, we had gardenia trees in my home in Greece, Alberto Morillas realized my dream of capturing the scent of this living flower. For this collaboration, I imagined the Omnia bottle as a sculptural vase holding a bouquet of colorful flowers, creating this universe of optimism and sincerity.» – Fashion Designer Mary Katrantzou

Reminiscent of Mary’s childhood memories and conjuring Italy’s love affair with spectacular floral, Omnia by Mary Katrantzou is «a beautiful universe that awakens our olfactory and visual senses.»

This new fragrance, a colorful floral Eau de Parfum, is a caress to the soul and an infusion of optimism, exploding with the brightness of Mandarin and accords of Gardenia and Fig leaf. A celebration of life’s purest pleasures: an ultra-lush flower bouquet, the smell of an unforgettable bloom, the joy of colours.

Flashy Sparkling Top Notes
Mandarin Essence, Fig Leaf accord

Kaleidoscopic Floral Heart Notes
Gardenia accord, Orange Flower

Prismatic Dry Down Notes
Blond Woods accord, Musk accord

THE BVLGARI OMNIA COLLECTION
The three iconic fragrances of the collection are given a new look inspired the new fragrance Omnia by Mary Katrantzou. A specially designed collection, reimagining the Omnia universe with its spectacular colourful flower dresses.

The bottles and packaging are so beautiful, colorful, vibrant, full of life. An optimistic and uplifting scent – captivating the energy of nature’s wonders and the amazing spirit of my dear friend Mary!

Happy Birthday, Mary, may all your dreams come true!

Click here for yesterday’s post with all the details of my outfit.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © BVLGARI/Mary Katrantzou, © Sandra Bauknecht and Rian Davidson 
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

In partnership with Mizensir, the Geneva-based specialists in candles and ambient fragrances, Caran d’Ache unveils its new edition of pencils made from fine woods and scented with the «Mémoire d’Ecolier» fragrance.

Interesting to know is that behind Mizensir, there is no other than master perfumer Alberto Morillas, who started along with his wife the family business in Geneva in 1999. The two initially set up a scented candle workshop and combined their skills to turn fragrances into wax. Today, the brand boasts more than one hundred different products, including a collection of perfumes, each creating a specific ambient message.

Alberto Morillas favours the very finest raw materials, paying homage to his Andalusian origins, his family and the numerous journeys and encounters that have marked his life. Now he has joined forces with another Swiss company for which craftsmanship plays also an important role: Caran d’Ache, the master craftsmen of drawing and writing.

Driven by a shared passion for creativity, excellence and Swiss Made ideals, the two family businesses have combined their unique know-how to create a new scented edition of four graphite Caran d’Ache pencils, that are delightfully scented with the retro fragrance «Mémoire d’Ecolier», whisking you back to a time when you were still sitting in school.

Me on my first day of school holding a Caran d’Ache pencil.

Bringing back childhood memories, this scent reveals notes and essences of Virginian cedar and Atlas cedar, underpinned by the sweetness of liquorice, rosewood and the freshness of birch. This unique scent of freshly sharpened pencils combined with sweet notes of candy hidden in school bags or desks offers aficionados of rare pencils the chance to recall their carefree childhood days.

The Caran d’Ache pencils edition no.8 set will be available for CHF 29.00 from mid-October from all Caran d’Ache boutiques and points of sale, as well as from the eBoutique.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Caran d’Ache and © Sandra Bauknecht

With the new Extrait de Cologne, Roger & Gallet brings up to date the art of perfuming, bequeathed by the “Incroyables” and the “Merveilleuses”, a group of young whimsical Parisians at the end of the 18th century. At that time, they were crazy for Jean-Marie Farina’s Eau de Cologne and thoroughly splashed themselves with it… on their skin, but also on their clothes, hats or accessories of any kind.

In 2017, Roger & Gallet invited five famous perfumers to create their own scent for this new collection. The campaign is absolutely beautiful and I am happy to share with you these beautiful photos and all the information regarding the new fragrances that all include up to 90% natural ingredients.

Five iconic perfumers from left to right: Alberto Morillas (Thé Fantasie), Fabrice Pellegrin (Néroli Facétie – MY FAVORITE), Juliette Karagueuzoglou (Verveine Utopie), Anne Flipo (Tubérose Hédonie) and Elise Bénat (Cassis Frénésie) have created a collection of five beautiful scents.

CASSIS FRÉNÉSIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 90,1% OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS
Crisp, tonic, energising. Fights melancholia, stimulates good mood and euphorises senses.

To create her Extrait de Cologne, Elise Bénat, French perfumer, has selected:
Blackcurrant bud absolute
Pepper essence
Rose infusion
Precious distilled essences of geranium, lavandin, galbanum & buchu.

Always more, always more often, life has so much to offer!
Cassis Frénésie, is an appetite for living, loving, tasting pleasures, without moderation, in an utmost exaltation.

NÉROLI FACÉTIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 87,8% OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS:
Tranquilizing, pleasing and balancing. Relieves anxiety, facilitates sleep and lightens the mind.

To create his Extrait de Cologne, Fabrice Pellegrin, French perfumer, has selected:
Neroli essence
Orange blosson absolute
Immortelle absolute
Precious distilled essences of cedarwood, petitgrain, angelica seeds & vetiver.

Here, all is mischievousness, comical, slapstick, fun. Jokes and laughs!
Néroli Facétie is an attitude, cheerful, joyful, playful. A sheer art of having fun with facial expressions or little games.

TUBÉREUSE HÉDONIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 89,8% OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS:
Extraordinarily relaxing and aphrodisiac. Rouses the mood and invites body and mind to let go.

To create her Extrait de Cologne, Anne Flipo, French perfumer, has selected:
Tuberose absolute
Jasmine absolute
Bergamote essence
Precious distilled essences of pink pepper, Neroli & celery grains.

You must seize the day, every minute!
The hedonist lives for pleasure. To please oneself, as often as possible, in every possible manner, satisfying one’s senses, with no reserve, here is the goal of his existence, the supreme value, above all others.

THÉ FANTAISIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 90,7 % OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS:
Untiring, energizing, destressing. Comforting, appeases tension and stimulates the mind.

To create his Extrait de Cologne, Alberto Morillas, Master Perfumer, has selected:
Black tea extract
Benzoin resin
Sandalwood essence
Precious distilled essences of coriander, Cardamom, sage & vetiver.

What matters is to have fun!
The fantasist takes pleasure in doing things off the beaten track, far from conventions. Originality, a hint of mischievousness and lightness as a way of life.

VERVEINE UTOPIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 89,3% OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS:
Stimulating, invigorating, anti-fatigue. Refreshes the body, freshens the mind and galvanizes the senses.

To create her Extrait de Cologne, Juliette Karagueuzoglou, French perfumer, has selected:
Exotic verbena essence
Gentian extract
Precious distilled essences of cedar wood, Gaiac and vetiver wood, basil & absinthe.

He is a dreamer, a poet in search of the absolute, in quest for the wonderful!
The utopist lives for an ideal, the perfect world in which each one could find happiness. With passion and innocence, this stargazer draws up a flow of ideas to change the world and make it better.

In stores from September 2017 – 100ml (CHF 70.00), 500ml (CHF 170.00).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Roger & Gallet

This morning, I attended a press conference at Jelmoli in Zurich to explore the house’s unique shop concept called SAHLING Düfte and to hear more about the newest fragrance launch of Penhaligon’s London: IRIS PRIMA.

In a unique partnership with English National Ballet, the new scent was created by famous perfumer Alberto Morillas to capture the very essence of ballet.

As most of you know, I have been dancing ballet all my life (here you see me with my daughter) and I had immediately my very own ideas how to put all those amazing things about classical dance in one bottle. From the costumes, to the sets on stage, the theatre make-up and the elegant rehearsal rooms, there are many aspects to consider.

At today’s press conference with Kris Dembinski, Head of Global Sales Penhaligon’s London.
(If you like my look, please click here for the details.)

Kris told me that it took one and a half year to develop this amazing new scent. During the process, they met with ballet dancers, went backstage, watched how they prepare themselves, their dedication and passion. The British brand even decided to sponsor two dancers to give them the chance to develop their skills even more.

FLORAL WOODY MUSK

Top notes: Bergamot, pink pepper and amber
Middle notes: Iris absolute, Arabian jasmine, hedione and paradisione
Base notes: Leather, sandalwood, vetiver, amber, vanilla and benzoin

Eau de Parfum 50ml (CHF 180.00) and 100ml (CHF 250.00).

If you are in Zurich, pay a visit to Jelmoli’s new corner, it is absolutely worth it. The retro-style apothecary furniture is a wonderful backdrop to shop luxurious fragrances.

Besides Penhaligon’s, Sahling Düfte carries Juliette Has a Gun, Annick Goutal, Il Profvmo, Etro and Amouage.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Penhaligon’s London and © Sandra Bauknecht

« The strength of the sea and the brightness of the sky are the elements that I am drawn towards the most when in Pantelleria and that inspired me Acqua di Gio. For Acqua di Giò Essenza, I wanted to create a concentrate of power and sensuality. »

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani has always loved the Mediterranean, and drew his inspiration from the rock-strewn landscape of Pantelleria to create Acqua di Giò in 1996. A fresh, sensual blend that has become a classic men’s fragrance. An irresistible combination of sea’ salty accents, sparkling citrusy notes, musk and woody cedar, this exceptional scent embodies masculinity in harmony with nature, a fragrance of escape and sensuality.

Today Acqua di Giò Essenza opens a new chapter with an Eau de Parfum, a new interpretation of Acqua di Giò, more intense, composed by Alberto Morillas.

Top notes: Cascalone, Sicilian bergamot essence and grapefruit zest.
Heart notes: Paradisone, jasmine absolute from Grasse, basil and sage.
Base notes: Patchouli,  Atlas cedar, vetiver from Haiti, ambrox, animalic ambergris and clary sage.

The result is an incomparable sensuality, the tantalizing lure of the skin.

The bottle shares the same architectural lines as the Acqua di Giò bottle, with the addition of light and technology. An engraved silver-plated plaque embraces the base of the glass like a mirror, to give the fragrance an even greater dazzle. In a click, the new magnetic cap bearing the Armani logo, opens and closes the bottle with a simple, sensual gesture.

The campaign was shot by Bruce Weber starring Simon Nessman.

LoL, Sandra

For spring 2012, Bvlgari introduces a new, lively, cheerful fragrance inspired by by a piece of coral jewelry from the luxury house, the red gold of the Mediterranean Sea: OMNIA CORAL.

With notes of goji berries, sparkling citrus, hibiscus flower and pomegranate, Omnia Coral is a true gem of the ocean. Experience the newest addition to the Bvlgari fragrance world.

Model Carola Remer is the face of the fragrance. The advertising campaign was shot by photographers Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin.

Omnia Coral will be available in characteristic Omnia flacon, as 25, 40 and 65 ml EDT accompanied with perfumed body care products, including a scintillating body lotion 100 ml and a gentle body peeling 100 ml.

“This is the first time that Bvlgari has created a fruity note, but fruity in a very Bvlgari way”, says Alberto Morillas, the fragrance creator. “I was inspired by the noble and rare red coral gemstone, I imagined a voluptuous, natural scent created around the hibiscus flower and the overflowing sensation of  juicy fruits”.

How keen is your sense of smell? Join in Bvlgari’s upcoming virtual event now with different bloggers from all over the world including me and prepare to meet  Alberto Morillas himself today on March, the 29th. And the next step?
Follow me on twitter @sandrascloset for more updates and go to Bvlgari’s facebook page where the Omnia Coral event will be live-streamed today at 3pm Milan time.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bulgari and © Sandra Bauknecht