Journey by Amouage

Amouage Journey

Personally speaking, I adore Amouage, the scents are so extremely rich and sensual. Therefore, I had been eager to explore the house’s latest duo – Journey Man and Journey Woman. The two new creations are based upon the man behind the fragrances, Creative Director Christopher Chong. His love for Shanghai Deco and Chinese Film Noir, are the inspirations for the new Journey scents, in which he pays homage to his heritage.

Journey Woman

Journey for Woman, expressive with enigmatic undertones of radiance this floral, fruity and leather fragrance illustrates an enchanting journey.

Top Notes: Apricot and Jasmine Tea
Middle Notes: Jasmine, Sambac, Mimosa, Honey and Cedarwood
Base Notes: Pipe Tobacco, Saffron, Vanilla, Cypriol and Musk
Available as Eau de Parfum 50ml (CHF 375.00) and 100ml (CHF 435.00)

Journey Men

Journey for Man, portraying a journey of metamorphoses, this spicy and woody fragrance reveals a chiaroscuro of luminosity with a twist of intrigue.

Top Notes: Sichuan Pepper, Bergamot, Cardamom, Neroli and Bigarade
Middle Notes: Juniper Berries, Incense, Pure Geraniol and Tobacco Leaves
Base Notes: Tonka Beans, Cypriol, Leather and Ambrox
Available as Eau de Parfum 50ml (CHF 330.00) and 100ml (CHF 405.00)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Amouage

Iris Prima – The Spirit of the Ballet. Bottled.

Iris Prima Penhaligon's

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.

Ballett1b

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.

Penhaligons Sandra Bauknecht

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.

Iris prima

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).

Jelmoli 2

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

Sahling Jelmoli2

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

Zurich’s Perfumery Osswald Goes NYC

Osswald NYC

Family owned and operated for over ninety years in Zurich, Osswald will officially open its doors in the heart of SoHo, New York City in August 2012. Highly regarded in Europe for their carefully curated array of niche perfumes, luxury skincare and exceptional customer service, Osswald is pleased to bring their time-honoured values and standards to the US for the first time.

Since 1921, generations of the Dreiding family have been continuously progressing the Osswald Parfumerie in Zurich. It began with founder Boris Dreiding, who was then succeeded by his son Jago Dreiding, Jago was followed by his wife Tamara who took the helm in the late eighties.

Bolero-Dreiding-Abt

Tanja Dreiding Wallace and Werner Abt (Photo: Bolero)

With Tamara’s direction and the help of store manager Werner Abt, Osswald entered the niche perfume and luxury skincare market. In 2005 she asked her daughter Tanja Dreiding Wallace, who had been living in New York City for over 8 years at the time, to return to Zurich and manage the company’s future growth. Tanja found herself becoming fiercely passionate about the brand’s international plans. She took pride in staffing the Zürich flagship with the most knowledgeable professionals in the beauty care business. Within a few years, Osswald became one of Europe’s leading niche parfumerie and skincare boutiques known for its superior customer service.

“Once Osswald was established as one of the leaders in the European niche perfume, skincare and cosmetic market, I realized that growing the family business was my true calling,” says Tanja Dreiding Wallace, CEO of Osswald. “In 2010, during a visit to New York, I detected a void in the beauty retail industry for premium service and quality products. At that point, I was committed to launching Osswald in the US and sharing my family’s vision of premium Swiss hospitality with New Yorkers, individuals who would appreciate our approach to an extraordinary shopping experience.”

My dear NY-based readers, here is my shopping list of exclusive must-have products that you will only find at Osswald NYC in the US:

For the American debut, Osswald will exclusively launch and sell coveted Swiss skincare brands Bellefontaine, Cell Premium, and La Colline as well as established brands Cellcosmet and Valmont. Each brand is on the cutting edge of skincare, using advanced technologies including the use of stem cells.

My skincare shopping suggestion:

CoffretCureTimeMasterCote

This is an amazing magical product that will be launched in September 2012: Time Master Intensive Program by Valmont. The Swiss brand with over 25 years of experience calls itself the magician of time and is renowned for its spa treatments. Now, a professional unique intensive program will be available to be used at home. A combination of technology, efficiency and precision, this nano-emulsion is so delicate that it penetrates the skin in a split second and treats all the causes for aging. Within 28 days, Time Master Instensive Program regulates the cellular mechanisms of the skin and turns back the clock.
The 4-week treatment will be available for CHF 1235.-/ € 950.-.

 

Sought after perfumes including Pierre Guillaume’s Parfumerie Générale and Profumum Roma will only be available at the Osswald New York location, as well as Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Clive ChristianMDCI, Kilian, Micallef, Amouage, Pierre Guillaume’s Huitième Art and Six Scents amongst others.

My fragrance shopping suggestion:

parfumeriegenerale

If you get a chance, please explore the fragrance world of Pierre Guillaume: Parfumerie Générale and Huitième Art, a niche collection of 8 fragrances launched for the brand’s 8th anniversary in 2010 – synonymous with perfume being the 8th art. His creations are a must for anyone who loves perfume. 
I met the perfumer once at an event held at Osswald in Zurich and was truly impressed by his passion. He is young, brilliant, intellectual and very handsome. My favourite – among many of his scents I like – is PG19 Louanges Profanes, an oriental floral, that is fresh and soft in one.

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MFK

Maison Francis Kurkdjian offers bespoke scents. Ask the Osswald team for more information. So sophisticated!

Other offerings will include By Terry makeup, scented candles, exquisite bathroom accessories and mirrors, manicure etuis, shaving kits, toiletry bags and other beautiful items in the luxury lifestyle sector.

Osswald NYC will open August 2012
311 W. Broadway New York, NY 10013 www.osswaldnyc.com

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of the Brands