ÇaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery: Shalini of Shalini Parfum + Maurice Roucel’s Most Opulent Perfume Draw

Shalini of shalini parfum

Shalini of Shalini Parfum

Profile: My first scent memory was being massaged by my mother in essential oils as a baby.  There were different oils ranging from classic florals – rose and jasmine to others like sandalwood, olive and ylang ylang.  And the love for fragrance was born. I always think of fragrance as what a woman wears closest to her skin.  It enters her body through the pores and affects her soul in the most subtle way.  It creates a memory and each note is a reminder of a moment of life that has passed.

shalini at age 3

Shalini age 3 Bombay

I was born in Bombay.  My father was a physicist and my mom is a very beautiful, creative soul.  From an early age, my mom introduced me to all the flowers in the garden, the way they grew from bud to full bloom and how their fragrance changed through the passage of the time. Tuberoses were my favorite – they only emitted their gorgeous scent in the evening hours.  As a child I would sneak into the garden at night so I could inhale them by the moonlight. Hypnotic!. My happiest childhood memories are playing in the garden –  chasing butterflies, smelling flowers and picking strawberries. My mother wore Chanel No 5 and perfume oils called ""ittars.  In those days Chanel No 5 smelled quite different and my childhood memories are being wrapped in her loving arms smelling it.  My maternal grandmother wore lots of gold jewelry and the purest rose absolut.  She was a very beautiful and elegant woman. Decadence and opulence was very much part of her nature and some of it seems to have passed down the generations.

 shaliniSATIN SCARF BUSTIER GOWN

Shalini fashion

I was brought up surrounded by science and art and as a result was drawn to architecture being a blend of both.  The longevity of architecture embodies the idea of creating something of value that stands the test of time.  While studying architecture I realized I needed color and to feel texture and mood.  Hence the path to fashion began.  The most beautiful couture fabrics, the finest construction quality and the body serves as a foundation that the clothes drape upon. I often listen to Satie while I am creating.

lalique perfume bottle shalini

Shalini Limited Edition Lalique  La Coquillage Parfum Flacon 

Haute couture lead the way to haute parfum.  To create the most beautiful fragrances using only the purest of oils which will have lasting beauty and become the new classics of tomorrow.
Each one will have a special bottle that conveys the inspiration behind the fragrance.  And women would love to collect them

SEVILLE 1

Shalini in Seville

.I wanted to create the most exquisite tuberose and neroli fragrance using only the finest ingredients.  My first memory of neroli was arriving in Seville in the evening hours and the entire city was filled with clementine trees in full bloom. The smell of the orange blossoms was mesmerizing.

maurice-roucel

Master Perfumer Maurice Roucel
Maurice Roucel is a pleasure to work with.  We connected instantly on creating something of lasting beauty. Maurice was receptive and enthusiastic towards my desire for an opulent perfume that uses the rarest ingredients.   He captured what I was yearning for. It was a joyful experience.  Maurice is a most talented perfumer.  He has the soul of an artist and is very present and connected.

harrods  haute parfumery

Shalini Parfum at Harrods

I envisioned a bottle that would convey the exquisite beauty and the lightness of flight of the fragrance.  I found the beautiful Lalique crystal flacon,  "Le Coquillage".  The design reminiscent of a butterfly wing echoes the preciousness of the fragrance. Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie at Harrods held an exclusive launch for the UK last summer. Bergdorf Goodman was the first to launch it exclusively for the US in 2004. Aedes de Venustas has been supportive of the fragrance since it's inception.

Fragrance engages all the senses and evokes emotion and memory.  Like the smell of the skin of your first love.

battery park city freedom tower

Battery Park  City Freedom Tower New York City: Photo Shalini

On American Perfumery: I love that Americans break the rules!  They are true renegades!  You can have a dream of creating something and there is energy present in New York that supports that vision, People from all over the world live in New York and that brings a world consciousness which permeates everything that is given birth here. New York has been my home for 20 years and I am grateful for all the support I have received.  As a fashion designer and now in perfume.  It represents freedom to me and taking a chance, a leap of faith.

Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway sitting on his boat Pilar, Key West 1930s

Favorite American Artist: There can only one for me – Hemingway.  He traveled and lived all over the world – bullfighting in Spain, living in a farm in Havana, part of the expatriate community in Paris in the 1920's and yet was completely American.  A renegade! He exemplified the power of saying something very complex in the most simple words. Hemingway called it the technique of the iceberg: 80% under the surface, 20% above.  As a designer, I have always tried to achieve that simplicity in my work.

hemingway garden of eden book

One of my favorite books is "The Garden of Eden" which is set in the South of France and Spain.  It is the journey of woman as she finds herself in relation to her husband and in a menage à trois set in the most beautiful vignettes. Hemingway is so amazing in dialogs, in giving voice to his characters, in creating tension between them. The way daily life is so present and at the same time lived so fully, wasted but not lost, not mechanical.  As always in Hemingway it is sad, there is a grave note of sorrow, The ending is a total happy ending, but also one doesn't believe in.  As if the story was going to start again, to run in a loop. And therein lies the beauty of Hemingway!  I do have a great love for swimming in the Mediterranean and the life in South of France. When I read the Garden of Eden, and I have read it several times, I smell the sea, the sunshine, the lazy afternoons, the lavender and the pine trees of the South…As Colette said that life in the South of France becomes very simple where the decisions are reduced to whether you want to take a walk or a swim and would you like a glass of rosé or white.

– Shalini, Founder of Shalini Parfum

Editor’s Note:  I owe quite a bit to Shalini,  as it was in my 2010 interview with Maurice Roucel that he spoke about the importance of Creative Directors in perfumery, “Hermes 24 Faubourg took five years and Shalini fifteen minutes. This was due to the conviction of the respective creative directors, and to their briefs”. That was when my idea for CaFleureBon Creative Directors in Perfumery was born. In the same interview Maurice talked about true luxury and quality, “Of course when you can put in very good raw materials, this is perfect. Like Shalini, it is really worth it, because I made it and I know what is in it”. Notes: Orange Blossom, Tuberose, tiare, sandalwood musk  –Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

lalique perfume bottle spray shalini  7 ml

Thanks to Shalini (pronounced SHA lin nay) we have a 7ml crystal  flacon with etched stopper valued at 180.00 worldwide. To be eligible please leave a comment noting what you found fascinating about Shalini and where you live. Draw ends April 4, 2015

Please like CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery and your entry will count twice. I mean it I want to see at least ten new likes!!! What an extraordinary opportunity to try this $3000 parfum

You can follow Shalini on instagram: @shaliniparfum

 We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize wil be just spilled perfume

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46 comments

  • The scents of the Central Valley of California where I live are angular and musky by day but turn velvet with fruit blossom on a spring night. I love the story of her childhood and the way Shalini connects time and memory to her scent and work as creative director.

  • The phrase of Shalini where she stated “It enters her body through the pores and affects her soul in the most subtle way. It creates a memory and each note is a reminder of a moment of life that has passed” resonated as whenever I think of my mother I recall her perfume on her skin, not like it is or was from the bottle. To win the perfume would be unreal thank you for the chance. I am in the UK.

  • It’s the M. Rocel seal of approval of the quality of the ingredients. wearing Dans Tes Bras today-like a skin scent on me!

    I live in Canada, and wish you Happy Easter,

    Carole

  • The most fascinating part is Mauricio Russell. I’m always amazed at what he can do!

  • I am in the USA, and I am very pleased that Roja Dove’s beautiful boutique is where Shalini has premiered. It’s the perfect place for such a graceful perfume presentation!

  • I love her description of her youth. I felt like I was there. How wonderful to have fresh tuberose in your own special secret garden! Thanks for the profile and this lovely draw. I am in the US and “liked” the FB page!

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    even though this article mentions it again, I still remembered from that Maurice Roucel interview how quickly he made Shalini. I never knew Shalini has Indian origins and is also a fashion designer..just going to google her. Shalini’s bottle is so very Lalique..kind of reminds me of that apple-shaped Nina Ricci fille d’eve which has similar-shaped flask..it seems Shalini also comes in a bottle which is shaped like Chanel 5 parfum which may be her tribute to her mom wearing Chanel 5. thanks for the wonderful draw. I am in the US.

  • I found everything about her fascinating! A lot of similar scent experiences in our youth. Of course, the fact that his perfume has been made with love and by Maurice Roucel just makes me want it even more. Would love to smell it!

    Aaannd I already love your page!

    I’m in Montreal, Canada.

  • What a lovely interview – I really loved the imagery of her mother in Chanel No 5, and her grandmother in rose absolutes. I can also really appreciate her admiration for Hemingway – I agree Lastly, I love the gorgeous gorgeous bottles, I can only imagine how wonderful the perfume is. Thanks for this amazing draw, I’m in the US!

  • Her path to perfume from memories of her mother and grandmother, then up to architecture and fashion, was very interesting to hear about! I am in the US, thank you.

  • I’ve wanted to try Shalini since a blogger called it the most beautiful orange blossom perfume in existence, so thanks for the chance. That it only took Maurice Roucel 15 minutes (while 24 Faubourg took 5 years) is amazing. I’m in the U.S. (But still not on Facebook, sorry.)

  • MikasMinion says:

    I listen to Satie when I am creating too. That means we have a lot in common, no? 😉 Truly though, she is lovely and obviously very talented. I have heard wonderful things about Shalini Parfum and would love the opportunity to try some. I’m in the U.S. and already like the FB page.

  • I thought the entire interview was interesting and I like her reference to her grandmother passing down decadence and opulence. Later Shalini says, “I envisioned a bottle that would convey the exquisite beauty and the lightness of flight of the fragrance. ” I have also just recently become interested in perfume oils. USA

  • She seems to have lived quite an interesting life. I love hearing about people’s childhood memories and their formative years.
    The perfume sounds very interesting. White floral + Maurice Roucel = I really want to smell it 🙂

    Thanks for the draw. I live in Canada.

  • I love her early scent memories. I was living in Bombay when I had my triplet babies (24 years old today!) and I fondly remember the massage lady that came ever day and oiled them down and massaged their wiggly limbs. I like Shalini’s comments about how you absorb scent and it becomes part of you and brings back memories. Bombay is where my love of scent first started to really evolve. There were so many smells, both good and bad! Thank you for the lovely draw! I live in the USA

  • I love that Shalini is a rebel at heart; you can tell from her choice of Hemingway as her favorite author to her admiration of American perfumer “renegades”. What a delightful woman! I also enjoyed her description of working with Maurice Roucel; he always strikes me as a man generous with his art.

    Thank you for the beautiful draw. I live in the U.S.

  • sheetal s says:

    I am in US.. but my heart is in Mumbai. I didnt have much access to perfumes as a child , the only ones I always saw my parents using were Rose and Khus , Kevda Ittar . Those would really last for more than a day. As I grew , I found my liking towards floral and musky perfumes. Shalini has a very interesting Journey in to Perfum world. Her passion to connect to the scents she was used to as a child led to this. She is lucky to get to work with so many Well known people . I wish I get to try this. Thanks Cafleurebon for reviewing Shalini , following you on Facebook and Instagram.

  • Lovely review. I found fascinating her memories about her family members. I would very like to try this perfume, it sounds fantastic. I live in Europe.

  • The most opulent perfume by Maurice Roucel. What an amazing, excessive in the most fantastic way kind of beauty. And of course the fact that she loves Hemingway just makes it all the better. I’m in the US.

  • Tubereuse Rouge says:

    It is a tuberous perfume and is made by Monsieur Roucel. What else needs to be said?

  • I think masterpieces are made like this one, in 15 minutes. Well done Monsieur Roucel.

    I live in Hungary.

  • I think the progression of her interests most interesting–architecture to fashion design to perfume. All are about structure. I also like that she knows what she wants and can convey it to her perfumer. I’m in the US and I’d love to try her fragrance.

  • thegoddessrena says:

    I’m in the US and I loved the statement that “It enters her body through the pores and affects her soul in the most subtle way”

  • Valentine girl says:

    I enjoyed hearing that her happiest childhood memories were playing in the garden…something that we both share! Interesting that she mentioned chasing butterflies and the bottle shape reminded her of a butterfly wing. Thanks for this incredible draw opportunity. USA resident

  • It sounds like Shalini experienced the ultimate idyllic childhood, both in experiences and education, and now she’s the perfect “Renaissance woman” with a wide variety of tastes and skills. Years ago, when the perfume Shalini first launched, a swapping buddy sent me a few precious drops and I remember thinking it was beautiful.

    It’s really pronounced SHA-lin-nay and not SHA-lin-ee? I’ve known a couple of women with the name Shalini but never heard it pronounced with a “nay” ending. Darn, I hope I haven’t been saying the perfume name incorrectly all this time.

    Thanks for the drawing! I’m in the US.

  • Serendipity says:

    Like the smell of the skin of your first love… mind you, I still remember it! 🙂 Warm, sunny and more beautiful than Michelangelo’s sculptures.
    Tania from Switzerland

  • silvrolive says:

    I do agree that perfume makes its way through your pores to your soul. So beautiful! Shalini should also have mentioned that she is a poet, as well as designer, architect, and creative director. I would love to get to experience this beautiful scent! I have liked the facebook page and am in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • I have never heard about Shalini but being grown up surronded by essential oils, attars, old n.5, smelling in the evenings the tuberouses in her garden…. she must create something amazing! even more if she works with Maurice Roucel and the finest ingredients…. Tuberouse and neroli are also for me great flowers and I would like to smell some day this perfume. I live in EU (Spain). Thanks for the draw.

  • “Hermes 24 Faubourg took five years and Shalini fifteen minutes”
    Wow! I want to try this perfume. I believe it was a afflatus.
    I’m in Russia. Thanks for the draw.

  • Shalini tells a true perfume narrative, not linked to seduction by mainstream overt sexuality but by memory, innocence, a state of nature known as a child that can be brough back by scent, true unconditional love of family, the intimacy of self. This powerful combination of beauty, engineering and science as she described makes me want to taste this fragrant journey too.

  • Roseinrose says:

    What a lovely review, I really enjoyed reading her memories about her family members , her love for them and the associations made with this smell, the memories from days of innocence. Her perfume sounds amazing !!! Hope to be lucky enough to experience it.
    I have already liked CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery. I am in EU.

  • I have a daughter named Shalini and like your mom, I used essential oils on her when she was a baby. Thanks for the draw!

  • Love how her love of fragrance was born! what a great alternative to baby oil. Now that’s what I call getting a great introduction to scents from your Mom. What wonderful memories that must hold. Also, I was always so taken with the fact that she had a fragrance created just for her and could only afford small samples, myself, so would get them from time to time from Aedes. It is a beautiful perfume. I felt somehow special wearing that one. I would love to be lucky enough to win for sure! I like that she picks Hemingway as people always said that he looked like my Dad. Again, those memories!!! I’m in the US. thank you.

  • I loved reading that despite her being introduced to so many fragrant flower wonders at an early age, it was her visit to Seville, smelling the neroli for the first time that mesmerized her. I’m in Miami, where the orange blossoms bloom 😉

  • Robert H. says:

    Well what’s not to love about an ‘opulent jasmine”! But it’s the Earnest Hemingway connection that intrests me the most. I’m in the USA

  • I loved reading about Shalini’s early childhood experiences of scent, family, and the outdoors– a real sense of tranquil beauty came through.

    But I especially liked: “I was brought up surrounded by science and art and as a result was drawn to architecture being a blend of both. The longevity of architecture embodies the idea of creating something of value that stands the test of time. While studying architecture I realized I needed color and to feel texture and mood. Hence the path to fashion began. ”

    The journeys into perfume are so varied– chemists, visual artists, chefs, naturopaths, and also architects and fashion designers like Shalini all bring their skills and experiences.

    USA Thank you for the draw! I’d love to try this exquisite white floral. I already liked that page so I can’t like it again.

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    I found Shalini’s route to perfumery fascinating and I appreciate her philosophy that each of her creations will have a special bottle that conveys the inspiration behind the fragrance. I love to collect beautiful perfume bottles. I live in the US.

    I like CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery – Cynthia M Richardson

  • tati_gheller says:

    A true Rennaisance woman! I love how Shalini’s architectural background lead to a career in fashion and perfume.
    Would be thrilled to try such an exquisite scent. Thank you for the draw, I’m in Russia.
    PS Profiles in American Perfumery already liked.

  • Maurice Roucel is the definitely of a legend. And him and Shalini make an incredible combo. I love how much passion she puts into these fragrances, as well as her journey from a young child up to the present day.

    The bottle for Shalini is incredible and I absolutely understand what you were going for while coming up with the design.

    I live in Canada and thank you very much for the draw.

  • I read your intrview with Maurice Roucel and must say you are quite the dancer and he is quite the story teller. I was in Aedes Venustus a few weeks ago and Shalini is possibly the best white floral EVER. I hope I get my Easter wish and win. I was fascinated by the word ittar and her life as a fashion designer I live in Connecticut. I have liked the page as well

  • It is interesting that tuberose is Shalini’s most challenging inspiration! I found her perfume bottles exquisite. Moreover, she is a fan of Hemingway like me! Surely, her perfumes would speak to me a great deal!
    I am in Bulgaria (EU). Thanks for the draw!

  • My first memory of my mother was also Chanel #5. And she also rubbed essential oils on me all the time! I was a very nice smelling child haha. I love how Shalini incorporated her entire life into her fragrance. I know it will be an amazing scent! I’m a Canadian reader

  • Greg Mayne says:

    International reader here (Toronto)

    Mr Roucel is like the god of fragrance. So anything he puts his name to must be brilliant. Shalini sounds very very determined and I truly adore that about her. The bottle is also very beautiful!

  • Helen C Gailey says:

    What beautiful poetry I love the magical story that she evokes, scent is like music it envelopes the soul. Thank you