February 24, 2013
CaFleureBon Creative Directors in Perfumery: Nick Steward of L’Artisan Parfumeur + What Makes A Great Fragrance Draw (includes Caligna)
Nick Steward of L'Artisan Parfumeur
Before there was the term "niche", as early as the late 1980s, I sensed that some fragrances were different. They didn't smell like the perfume in the department stores. They took me to far away places, evoked images. They were ART. That was the case with Jean Laporte for L'Artisan Parfumeur. I discovered the brand at the boutique on 870 Madison Avenue in 1991, spent a week's salary on perfume and there was no turning back. Twenty two years later, L'Artisan Parfumeur is the benchmark that many niche brands can only hope to aspire to. They are a big name in fragrance, but a relatively small staff of dedicated personnel run all aspects worldwide. At the helm is Nick Steward, the Creative Director of L'Artisan Parfumeur. On a recent trip to New York City earlier this month, I had the pleasure of meeting Nick and we spent two hours over lunch (he was late for his next appointment, but he admitted he wished he could stay longer), talking about his vision, the new fragrance CALIGNA, and the rich heritage of the brand whose future innovations will still be firmly rooted in its past. -Michelyn Camen, Editor In Chief
I come from a family of “rootless cosmopolitans,” so I grew up surrounded by various languages and cultures. A family of Francophiles, we had a very pronounced respect for French culture and language, so it was natural for me to be drawn to Paris. History, film, books all have a great influence on me. I love photography – I was very moved by the Diane Arbus at the Jeu de Paume, and I love the colour, drama and humour of David LaChapelle. I am also very interested in decorative arts, and craft (which shouldn’t be a surprise given where I work.) The Campana brothers from Brazil are amazing talents.
A career in fragrance was serendipitous. I had studied Oriental Languages and History at university, but I knew that I wanted to work with something I could hold in my hands, and with a sense of culture and aesthetics. I started with Puig, on Paco Rabanne and then Carolina Herrera, in what is called “Marketing Development” in France – which really means you work on everything from the product concept, the perfumer brief, bottle design, and advertising campaign – everything that you can smell, touch and see.
I arrived from L’Oréal Luxury Products Division (fragrance development), so I had ‘lived the life’ of the big luxury groups, which is excellent schooling. I came to L’Artisan Parfumeur in Autumn 2009, but I had been a customer for many years and it was always a House that ‘spoke’ to me: the first fragrance I had bought was Dzing!, and I had les Boules d’Ambre in my home – which are still handmade by the same mother and daughter north of Paris, true artisans.
The women cannot be rushed and are quite particular; when I mentioned I wanted to pay them a visit, my colleauges actually had looks of fear in their eyes; the ladies do not like company. It’s an amazing product, artisanal, but married with a very expert technology, which is why it’s become such an emblem of the brand.
I knew that L’Artisan Parfumeur was something special. In France especially, L’Artisan Parfumeur is the reference in the world of fragrances, it is part of the patrimony. I have great respect for our incredible heritage – but this brand isn’t a museum piece, and it can be more alluring, more luxurious, and even more daring. Looking at our archives is a fantastic source of inspiration for me for the future. It all seems so modern in many surprising ways.
Dora Baghriche-Arnaud and Caligna, the soon to be released
The development of briefs is very important in what I do. But, the creation of something new is a collective effort, the different experiences and influences coalesce and cohere. But it has to start with a singular idea. The brief must be a moment of clarity, it must create the first spark – and it must be compelling. And I imagine perfumers are seeing many boring, uninspiring, me-too briefs. When you work for a brand like L’Artisan Parfumeur, the bar is very high: we are perfectionists and expect incredible things, to be true of the founding vision of Monsieur Laporte. So for me, the brief must tell a real story we can believe in. For L’Artisan Parfumeur it can’t be anything fake, superficial, or conceptual for its own sake. For example, when I first met Dora Baghriche-Arnaud, we went through all of the fragrances in our range, because I wanted her to know the richness of what we have – I guess that is quite intimidating for a new perfumer working with us! It’s one of the reasons why Dora, working on CALIGNA, chose a fig note (as a subtle reference to Premier Figuier) and the Jasmine Marmalade accord (which again, is a very subtle nod to La Chasse aux Papillons).
( Photo: PATRICK CASTILLO)
My role means wearing many hats, and often in the same day. I can be copywriting, thinking of a new brief, working on quantities and costings for a new development, or working on window and POS display. Thinking about the name for an upcoming launch is clearly important – and that’s a real challenge now for us; as so many names are already registered, and legally it’s a minefield.
It’s not an ivory tower, with some mad creative just throwing out crazy ideas –: the stereotypical “today … I see blue” (maybe this is what some of your readers prefer to imagine!) Actually, creativity demands a huge amount of organisation, the channeling of ideas and energies. I am very rigorous in my approach to creativity. It’s the skill of an editor, or I would say in my case of a translator, married with the skills of a marketer. It needs poetry, imagination and intuition, but also grounding in reality and in the history of the brand, an understanding of the process and timings, and what is technically feasible. That doesn’t mean limiting the creativity. My job is to enable. I am very hands on with everything surrounding the product: the strategy, the story we want to tell, the perfumer’s work, the packaging development, production issues, the marketing plan, how we promote, the boutique experience, the window design, how our partners get excited about what we’re doing, how it translates into other international markets, the press – it’s important to touch it all, to tie it all together.
The making of the scented leather gloves
I think the L’Artisan Parfumeur signature is our uncompromising quality and expertise. Everything must be well-judged and well-executed. For me, it’s very Parisian, this perfect balance between sophistication and simplicity. Because of the status of our brand, we are offered the best, the most exciting ingredients – and, of course, it’s still an area where we really invest financially, so everything is permitted for the perfumer! I would say the other signature is that of ‘contrast,’ something you find, for example, in Fou d’Absinthe, with the feeling of hot and cold. People do also expect to be surprised by what we do. I know they were when we brought out the Mûre et Musc Extrême scented leather gloves, and I think they will be when they smell CALIGNA. Finally, the ‘artisan’ spirit means that everything must be well-considered.
Bertrand Duchaufour and his Labo at the flagship store in Paris
There is no formula in terms of how we work. I would argue every project is different, but I always try to bring intelligence, sensitivity and an open-mind. It can start with one ingredient that we fall in love with and want to use as a ‘building block’ for something greater than the sum of its parts. Travel is obviously a key source of inspiration for L’Artisan Parfumeur (we were the first house to send perfumers on journeys, asking them to ‘capture’ a fragrance on their journey), and travel is one of my own particular passions. We’re very privileged to have Bertrand Duchaufour around us, working in our offices – as he has a very special bond with L’Artisan Parfumeur. He’s obviously a remarkable talent: a master of his materials, highly cultured, very inspiring to work with (no wonder he is in such demand.) Just to see Bertrand in his element in his lab at our Grande Boutique opposite the Louvre is very inspiring. He loves his ingredients, which to me seems a very ‘artisanal’ sensibility. As I live and work between Paris and London, and work in two languages, there’s a certain mental gymnastics which also makes for an interesting time. I suppose what is common is the feeling of ‘translation’ that I touched upon above. How do I translate a feeling, a visual snapshot, a sense of place, into something that can have L’Artisan Parfumeur on it.
What makes a great fragrance? It must smell great. Sometimes, I fear that in this increasingly saturated ‘niche’ market, we’ve forgotten that very basic fact. Second of all, it must tell a story, it must say something. Otherwise, how do we connect with it? It must be memorable. For me, that is a critical point in the evaluation process. Will I remember it? Will I be able to summon it later, even when I am no longer wearing it? More technically perhaps, but does it have a great sillage – for L’Artisan Parfumeur that is important, because many people come to us via word-of-mouth, and this is the way they discover our fragrances, first smelling them on someone else.
-Nick Steward, Creative Director of L'Artisan Parfumeur Worldwide
For our Draw, L'Artisan Parfumeur is offering a reader's choice of 100 ml of many of its iconic fragrances: Mure et Musc (1978, Jean Laporte), Premiere Figuier (1994, Olivia Giacobetti), La Chasse Au Papillions (1999, Ann Flipo) 'Dzing! (Olivia Giacobetti 1999), Timbuktu (2004, Bertrand Duchaufour) Fou d'Absinthe (2006, Olivia Giacobetti), Nuits de Tubereuse (2010,Bertrand Duchaufour) or the new Caligna, the first perfume in the new Grasse collection, which Mark Behnke reviewed last week (2013, Dora Baghriche-Arnaud), exclusively at Barneys New York USA in April.
To be eligible please leave a quality comment about what you found fascinating about Nick Steward as a Creative Director for L'Artisan Parfumeur and your choice of perfume from the above. If you choose Caligna, you will need to be patient for a month until it is available, but we assure you it is worth the wait. Why not leave a comment on your favorite L'Artisan Parfumeur fragrances as well? Draw closes March 1, 2013
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Editor's Note: I know many of our readers have been dissapointed by the discontinuation of their favorite L'Artisan Parfumeur scents. Nick explained that as a team they agonize over each one; for Nick it is Couer de Vetiver Sacre,(for me they are L'Artisan Parfumeur's Special Harvest Series, which included Fleur d'Oranger (2005), Fleur de Narcisse (2006), and Iris Pallidia (2007), as well as Havane Vanille by Bertrand Duchaufour (2009), renamed Vanille Absolutement) but these perfumes are not selling and resources are needed to continue growing the brand. If you love a L'Artisan Parfumeur perfume, buy it; that is one way to ensure its continuation in the line. Every year, the Company does bring back past fragrances as special editions, and this Spring it will be Cote d'Amour and Ananas Fizz
All images are used with permission of L'Artisan Parfumeur and are subject to copyright
I really enjoyed this article. What I really appreciate about LAP is that every fragrance in their line has a reason for being there. The following quote resonated with me, “My role means wearing many hats, and often in the same day. I can be copywriting, thinking of a new brief, working on quantities and costings for a new development, or working on window and POS display.” Mr. Steward is involved in so many aspects of the business that the product line, marketing, and point of view are cohesive to the consumer. They create beautiful art. I already own a handful with my favorites being Dzing, Seville a’Laub, and the fantastic amber balls. If I was lucky enough to win, I would want to try Caligna.
I was surprised by two things–first that Nick is so involved in so many aspects of the brand and in a hands on sort of way –I suddenly envied him terribly! And second that he’s only been with the company since 2009. His passion for the brand is so evident that I just assumed he had been part of it for years and years (and years)
I have 27 varieties of L’Artisan in my collection…I suppose that makes me a fan
I’m not sure I can say which is my favorite as they play to different moods….today I might say Safran Troublant…or I might say Fleur de Narcisse….but I can tell you that I plan to cry enormous salty tears and wail inconsolably when my bottle of Orchidee Blanche is empty.
If I’m chosen I will wait patiently, happily for Caligna.
Like Mr. Steward, I too think that a fragrance must smell great and tell a story. My obsession with fragrance stems from the connection I make with a particular fragrance and my memories of people, places or feelings. If a fragrance does any of those things, i know I’ve stumbled across something wonderful. I want to make an emotional connection with fragrance, not just smell something nice. I have experienced this with L’Artisan fragrances many times, most notably with Tubereuse (I long for another bottle of Tubereuse!), Dzing!, Voleur de Roses, and Mon Numero 7. I treasure these fragrances because they connect me to special memories and I can visit them whenever I wear these fragrances. They tug at my heartstrings and are a part of my own story.
This was a very fascinating read. I always love finding out what inspires people and how they go about creating beautiful things. Creating emotional responses using fragrance is an incredible accomplishment. If chosen, a bottle of Caligna would be amazing!
Great read.
Fascinating to read about his background and his passion for foreign languages and history. I think Mr Steward summarized the esthetics and
creative process at LA very well:
“Everything must be well-judged and well-executed. For me, it’s very Parisian, this perfect balance between sophistication and simplicity.”
I hope one day they will decide to bring back Orchidee Blanche as a limited edition.
For the draw I am debating between Timbuktu and Nuits de Tubereuse. I need new bottles for each of them. Drained the last drops few weeks ago.
I’m in love with L’Artisan fragrances! It was very interesting to read about Nick, I think that this type f professionals is great for such a superb brand as L’Artisan Parfumeur, I feel that he has a real passion for his work and to grow every day!
As I own Nuit de Tubereuse (I LOVE it),I think that I would choose Dzing!, I like its controversial and unique style!
I love the idea of having new perfumers (perfumists?) smelling the whole range before getting to work. And of the ladies being intimidating and not fond of visitors – like they just don’t have time for it and are busy creating.
I’m thrilled that Ananas Fizz will be available this spring! Whee!
Oops – and I skipped the part where I said which perfume I would love. Hmmm… I adore La Chasse aux Papillons, but I think that I’d have to go with Timbuktu.
I love L’Artisan. I have tried Timbuktu, Dzing!, and Dzongkha, and they’re all treasures. I like what Steward says about the emphasis on ‘contrast,’ which I can see, when I think about it, though I don’t think I can explain it. The way he explained the process, from inception, was interesting too; it’s perhaps not as romantic as I pictured it in my head, but I like that he’s down to earth and involved in all the processes. I would love a bottle of Dzongkha! Thanks for the article and the draw.
i love creativity. it’s the bees knees.
but the creative brief is essential to the success of the creative team. the brief guides the creative team in their thinking.
as a creative director this is important to remember. i appreciated thi aspect of the article.
namaste
I found his comments about the detail work and organization behind the scenes really interesting. as a consumer, it is tempting for me to think of his job as lofty–and in many ways it is–but there are clearly some very down to earth moments! Somehow, that’s heartening.
I have liked this series on Facebook under my full name, of course. And which of the listed fragrances I’d like best is a tough call indeed: Timbuktu or Nuits de Tubereuse would be my choice, I think. (Unless a bottle of Seville de l’aube happened to make its way into the pile! That’s my newest love from the line, and I think I need some to put alongside the bottles of Safran Troublant and Mechant Loup in my collection.)
This article is amazing! I have been buying alot of fragrances lately, some because I loved it, some blind buys due to the vibes.. after reading this article, I decided to slow down in buying
Nick says that the perfume must smell great and must tell a story and we must connect to the fragrance… what simple terms yet I have forgotten about it. I just kept on buying…ok…From now on I shall take my time to connect and remember the scent.
I would choose Nuit de Tubereuse if I win, thanks for the draw!
I agree with Nick that thinking about a name for a new parfum must be very difficult, as there are so many in the market….but I must say that one think I like from L’Artisan is the amazing names ; “la chasse aux papillons” is a good one! What I find fascinating is that he has studied Oriental Languages and History at university, that must bring an important sense of aesthetics! My favourite from this brand is Passage en enfer and if I win, I would like MURE ET MUSC which I also like a lot!
Thank you!
I loved the sentence where Nick said that his perfume, “must be memorable”. I agree whole-heartedly. L’Artisan does stand out from those insipid mainstream scents, and that’s a compliment to the brand itself, and all his hard-work.
I didn’t know before reading this article that all L’Artisan perfumers are sent on a journey to find inspiration before composing a fragrance. I thought this was only the case for Traversee du Bosphore, which Bertrand Duchaufour created when returning from Turkey.
My favourite L’Artisan fragrance of all time is Traversee du Bosphore, however I would love to win a bottle of my second favourite, Nuits de Tubereuse.
I have also liked the Facebook page, CaFleurebon Creative Directors in Perfumery, under the name Kat McBarron.
Thanks for the draw!
It was very interesting to me to see the direction Nick took following his studies in Oriental languages and history. I, too, have a degree in Asian Studies (language and history), and choose a marketing career, but in finance. Many of the responsibilities Nick describes in his marketing role also mirrored my own. A career path, where one relies on creativity, organizational skills and commitment to excellence, can lead in many different directions. But working with fragrance sounds like so much fun
I am a huge fan of L’Artisan, and own many fragrances (including the Harvest Series, phew!). If I am lucky enough to win I’d like to try Caligna. Thanks for the great draw!
I believe Nick translates very well what the brand is to their fragrances collections. He seems to have a clear imagine of what the brand and the perfumes should be and passes along to the team with transparency.
My choice would be the new Caligna.
When Nick said that one part of the signature of this brand is the idea of contrasts, it resonated with me. I am attracted to contrasts, too, as in sweet and salty, crunchy and creamy. Yes, I am referring to food, but I think that many perfumistas appreciate fine food and wines, too. This is such a generous draw and I would love to win Nuit de Tubereuse.
Really fascinating
Nick Steward seems like a modern day renaissance man
I think his comment that LArtisan shouldn’t be a museum and needs to move forward for the future is very astute
I also am impressed by how much he is involved with every aspect of the business..and his comment about creativity is a collaboration is so true
I would love to win Caligna
Mr Steward sounds like one of us, which is probably why L’Artisan is still an interesting house.
I would love to win Caligna!
Great piece. L’Artisan Parfumeur was one of the first niche lines I ever tried Longtime fan, and really enjoyed reading this.
Who would have thought such a person studied oriental languages and history at university, that’s intriguing.
If I win I chose to win for Caligna
“creativity demands a huge amount of organisation, the channeling of ideas and energies”
This is perhaps one of the biggest (and most bitter I may add) truths about perfumery and creative disciplines in general. People often think too much of the “stroke of genius”. Talent or inspiration are important and necessary of course, but without the ability to channel them into a method that will give birth to a finished work they mean nothing. The work of the true artist is most of the time that of a medium that through a painful and tiresome process helps the ideal or transcendental manifest in the material world. That definition of artist can equally fit the perfumer AND the creative director.
Should I win I’d opt for Timbuktu
I found it very interesting that Nick Steward’s first fragrance purchased was Dzing! That is one of my favorite scents ever, and most certainly the beloved bottle I would choose if I were to win this generous draw. I also love the inspiration he draws from travel, and the act of translating “a feeling, a visual snapshot, a sense of place, into something that can have L’Artisan Parfumeur on it.” Other than the obvious, that the fragrance smells great (which Nick touched on as well), this pretty much describes what makes a fragrance intriguing to me. Bravo on this fabulous profile! I would be so lucky to win a much-loved scent, Dzing!
Wow. Every time I read one of these pieces I am astounded at how many different jobs a creative director has. I was also unaware that l’Artisan Parfumeur was the first to send perfumers on a trip to inspire a scent. I would love to try Caligna. It sounds delightful.
I wasn’t even aware that L’Artisan had a single creative director! I enjoyed hearing about Nick’s upbringing and background… sort of jealous, I was also a history major and I’m very impressed by Nick’s ability to break into the fragrance industry.
Also interesting to hear about his interactions with Bertrand Duchaufour and the nature of Duchaufour’s work.
Finally, sad to hear about discontinuations always, but I think it’s so nice that L’Artisan does make the effort to reintroduce old favorites occasionally.
It’s a very tough call, but I think I’ll enter for the brand new Caligna! I do also follow Creative Directors in Perfumery on Facebook.
What a great article! Nick sounds like a very interesting and brilliant man. What a cool job he has! I loved his quote on what makes a great fragrance. It must smell great, it must be memorable, it must tell a story, it has to have great sillage. Oh if it could only be that easy! I think LAP has been very successful in following this philosophy. I have a few favorites from the line: Dzing and Traversee du Bosphore.
I would love to own a bottle of Mure et Musc … it’s been on my wish list for a long time. Thank you for the generous draw!
I liked his comment on the work involved in being a creative director, the organization, rigor, and procedural knowledge. Not just artsy poetics.
Please bring back Iris Pallida. Its loss is mourned by a lot of us and it would fly off the shelves if restored.
I would like to win Timbuktu of course, who wouldn’t! Quiet radiance and intelligence. I don’t yet own it but it’s a fave along with that Iris.
Great article! What I found fascinating about Nick, is that he is a man of different hats, I would love to have his job, it must be so exciting! If I win I would love to have the new Caligna.
I was surprised by the sheer breadth of Mr Steward’s job! This was a great insight into what it really takes to bring a fragrance onto the market. I also love the signature concept of ‘contrast’, which I think is a great spur to creativity. I would most like to win Timbuktu, which I’ve tried and been enchanted by.
I was happy to read that Nick Steward considers the artisanal spirit to be the essential core of the L’Artisan aesthetic, and am encouraged to hear that he seeks to protect that aspect at every level. I also love that he is so hands-on, is drawn especially to the sensual parts of the process -of course! – and that he is evidently a bit of a perfectionist. I await the introduction of Caligna with bated breath! And, despite the wait, I can’t resist choosing it, should I win.
My favorite L’Artisan? That’s hard. Probably Tea for Two, all things considered. My first sniff of TFT was one of the peak perfume experiences of my scented life. Thanks for the draw!
liked on fb as miriam nussbaum
I loved this article! Nick Steward sounds like he enjoys the whole sensory spectrum of both his work and his scent experience as a consumer. I liked reading about how his responsibility includes “everything that you can smell, touch and see. ”
and also about how he enjoyed Les Boules d’Ambre even before working at L’Artisan. I didn’t know they were made by actual artisans–relatives at that! Like a family trade.
The brief as a ‘spark’ and a moment of clarity sounded very cool. The part about sillage being the real advertisement for L’Artisan rang very true, it’s one of the reasons I really enjoy and respect the brand.
Tea for Two and Safran Troublant are my two favorites which I have bought–though unfortunately that did not seem to save TfT.
I would choose Caligna.
I respect that Nick Steward and L’Artisan are adventurous in all aspects of their perfume development from being inspired by travel, designers such as the Campana brothers – which i’m biased to admired because i’m a designer – as well as the companies desire to creative quality fragrances. This is one of the companies that i’m always excited to learn about their fragrances as well as the history behind the old. I’d love to see more products like the scented gloves!
I like that Nick understands that there is a need to remain rooted in reality when a perfume is being born. I think that is what makes them such a respected perfumery – their scents are not flighty or overly strange, but always interesting and unique. They are rooted in what we can all understand. Plus it helps to understand the materials you can actually use, the expense, etc. I enjoyed this interview.
I would have to go for Caligna if I win! I love clary sage.
I enjoyed reading about Nick Steward because I love L’Artisan fragrances. I adore Couer de Vetiver Sacre and I’m so happy I already own it. Nick is a very involved director. I love that it is so important to him that a perfume is very memorable and that it has great silage. I agree! He is also clearly very sensitive and supportive of the people he works with. It sounds like he is able to create the perfect balance between organizing all the various facets of the production and keeping an open space to create beautiful fragrance.
I would love to add Nuits de Tubereuse to my collection!
I am touched by the way Nick Steward talks about creativity: i see he respects and nurtures, he has an eye on the future and one on the history of the brand, it seems he tries to find the right balance betwenn technical and artistic issues. Very inspirational!
I would choose Verte violette, one of my favorite scents of the brand!
I likes how Nick talks about the “Artisan Spirit”… I know that every brand has its own ‘feel’, in part to consistent use of perfumer and shared understanding by those involved, but the aspect of ‘contrasts’ that Nick brought up was interesting.
Fou d’Absinthe is one of my favorite Lartisan fragrances and I enjoyed the way he explained contrast in terms of that fragrance as the feelings of hot and cold.
in the spirit of this, i would choose Fou d’Absinthe
OH! I see that Verte violette is not in the draw! I’ll take Caligna instead!
I found agreement in Mr. Steward’s comments regarding the “something different” about niche fragrances. After working at Coty for a summer, I had been exposed the the mass perfume industry. While impressive in its scope and prevalence, i smelled Marc Jacobs Lola and Daisy many times on the way to work every day. What I found was that they lacked the artistry I had come to love about fragrance.
the transportation power that a fragrance has. transcending location, time and cultural or gender boundaries. this is my love of fragrance.
Iris Pallida would be my IDEAL choice. I sampled it that summer while at Coty and fell in love. Sadly it is hard to come by.
In place, Fou d’Absinthe. fingers crossed
What an interesting article. The role of Creative Director has always been a bit of a mystery for me. I work in the advertising world, on the creative side, specifically art direction. I found it interesting that Nick wears so many hats as a CD. From concept, to copy, to packaging, he assimilates various visions into one congruent brand.
I particularly agree with his thoughts on the creative brief. A clear and concise “insight” is the seed from which growth occurs. This is true in any creative endeavor. Furthermore, his point about organization couldn’t be more true.
Also, LOVE that he follows the Campana Brothers. I dream of their “cone-chair” sitting in my living room.
Calinga sounds lovely, and well worth the wait.
A rare peek into the mind. Great article.
Following Mr. Stewards’ progress from big company to niche house. It’s so interesting to see how a person gets involved in a niche house. Especially considering the mass companies seem to be the real money-makers.
I would pick Fou d’Absinth. It’s gorgeous.
Great profile of Mr. Steward! I found his background very interesting – amazing that with all those different interests and influences, he ended up as a fragrance creative director! I am sure that his international tastes figure into his work. I certainly think the releases from the last few years reflect his broad cultural influences.
I would love to win Nuits de Tubereuse, but the choice is very difficult!( I was planning to get the Vanille Absoluement one of these days, very sorry to see that it’s going away.) I enjoy so many L’Artisan perfumes, it’s almost impossible to pick one favorite. One of the best is an older one, La Haie Fleurie, that is so tender and lovely.
I like what Mr. Steward had to say about l’Artisan’s amber balls. I had no idea they were made by a single mother and daughter duo. It was also funny that they don’t like visitors. lol.
Calinga. I’ve been on the lookout for a fig fragrance.
I enjoyed the profile because I am in advertising and could see myself doing something similar. Or at least being involved in fragrance beyond enjoying my collection.
Again, great profile.
I’d like Dzing
i think Nick might have influenced Bertrand in getting inspiration from cultures. my choice is Mure et Musc
Interesting article behind the draw! Thank you!
I am impressed how Nick Steward summed up what makes a great fragrance – simply, sincerely and down-to-earth! Furthermore, he was a L’Artisan Parfumeur’s devotee who turned to play a leding role in the company – what a journey he had! A dream come true! He is just one more proof that fragrance is not just a trade product but a fulfilling experience!
I love Mure et Musc Extreme, and I own it. I would like to apply for the new Caligna.
I find fascinating that the tasks of a Creative Director are not simply to sit down and think different things until he/she sees the light!
According to the article, a Creative Director has to have many phacets, not only artistic but commercial and marketing related too.
It’s not a simple task at all.
I have discovered the importance of contrast for L’Artisan Parfumeur. I agree that today a perfume has to smell great but it has that be a surprise too. It has to move some feeling.
My favorite perfumes are Première Figuère, Voleur de Roses, Saffran Troublant…
But I’d like to win Timbuktu. Thanks!
Nick Steward’s versatility and passion for perfumery as an art, that shines throughout this article, I find fascinating. Moreover, I enjoyed reading his understanding of L’Artisan Parfumeur’s signature, “uncompromising quality and expertise” as well as “contrast” and “well-considered”.
His statement that “a great fragrance (…) must smell great”, however, I love, for it reminds me of a remark by Guy Richard on that very subject; un parfum doit avant tout sent bon.
My choice would be Dzing!
Oh,since yesterday i felt deeply in love with Premiere Figuere…so if i may to change my wish…i would LOVE to win this one instead of Caligna…:)