Charna Ethier of Providence Perfume Co.

When I was growing up, I had dreams of becoming a fashion designer.  As a child, I created lavish gowns for my paper dolls.  My life took a different path and I am a  perfumer,  but still a fashionista at heart.  One can’t help but wonder if my connection to the catwalk was sealed by fate when I met my friend, the noted fashion designer Jonathan Joseph Peters.

Jonathan Joseph Peters

Recently, I was approached by Jonathan Joseph Peters to create a signature scent for his summer collection. Jonathan and I have been friends for many years.  We met in Providence, Rhode Island long ago and instantly bonded.  We both desired "bigger things".  I dreamed of launching a perfume line and Jonathan of launching his own fashion collection.  We commiserated about how tough it was to break into our respective businesses over cocktails of course-Jonathan drinking something sweet and rainbow hued, as I sipped gin and tonics.   We were known as “beautiful dreamers” by our friends and families . . . talented but unrealistic in our goals.

Jonathan Joseph Peters Fashion, Photo: Daniel Gagnon

Fast forward six years and things have changed.  Jonathan has appeared on Project Runway, Season 7.  He has shown his  stunning collections all over the world, from the runways of Tokyo to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York. His designs have been featured on the Real Housewives of New York and the contestants on RuPaul’s Drag Race.  That’s fashion diversity!

The Providence Perfume Co. Boutique

I fulfilled my dream of launching a perfume line and opening my own fragrance boutique in Providence, Rhode Island, where I compose fragrances and introduce customers to the beauty of natural essences.  This introduction to perfumery materials was where the idea of our collaboration was born.

Jonathan and I  always enjoyed discussing the many ways in which fragrance and fashion are interconnected.   We had long  brainstorming sessions that typically ended in one of us pushing the envelope beyond the extension of any semblance of reality, at which point we  were overcome with laughter.  A recent creative session involved ideas on how we could incorporate scent into a runway fashion show.  If you are not familiar with Jonathan's aesthetic, he is known for his showmanship and his over the top fashion performances (he is fond of using drag queens and transgender models) and we discussed how we might scent the catwalk or the designs the models wear down the runway. 

“What about creating a perfumed paint?  We could dip the models in the paint and . . . ,” Jonathan trailed off.

“You mean like in the James Bond movie, Goldfinger?” I replied.  “Jonathan, I think that’s dangerous.”  The conversation dissolved into giggles.

Jonathan visited the Providence Perfume Co Boutique and we chatted at the custom blending bar.  I would open one bottle of natural essences after another and waft each scent under Jonathan’s nose throughout our conversation.  He would stop mid-sentence and exclaim, “What is that?  It smells alive!”  Other times, he would wrinkle his nose in distaste.  I know Jonathan so well; his predilection for all things sweet and fruity, his love of tropical aromas, his dislike for deep woody scents.  Jonathan described the fabric he was using as being the palest, softest silk mousseline.  He  talked about the technical aspects  in great detail… the way the fabric moved and how he cut and patterned (at this point I had to remind him that I failed Home Economics in high school for accidentally gluing interfacing to the iron and sewing the pockets of my tropical print skirt on the outside of the garment). It didn’t take long before we had created something together.  As he sprayed himself profusely with the scent we created we both knew we had the foundation for Mousseline Pêche.

 

 It was challenging for me, as an artist, because I tend to create complex compositions that reflect my own sensibilities. I set to work with Jonathan and he was thrilled with the results.  “It smells like PEACH SILK!” he exclaimed and thus the fragrance was named Mousseline Pêche.   I wanted to create a sheer fragrance that gave the illusion of translucency.  Creating a tropical fruity floral in natural perfumery is no easy task,  because if the ingredients aren't perfectly balanced the result is cloying and heavy. 

I sent the final formulation  of  Mousseline Pêche to Michelyn, who wore it every day during a recent heat wave in New York City.  Michelyn told me, "Mousseline Pêche is the scent one would wear while strutting and sunning on a beach in St. Barts in  five inch stiletto sandals. And there would be a  gorgeous guy with a foreign accent applying sunscreen to your back. Darn, Charna this is one sexy summer scent ”. If Jonathan is reading this, he is nodding his head and thinking, “”Exactly”.

Mousseline Pêche is my first Eau De Toilette but with EDP longevity

–Charna Ethier, Founder and Perfumer for Providence Perfume Co. and Guest Contributor

“The sweet smell of peach warming in the sun,

A feather light frock of the palest silk mousseline,

Bronzed skin kissed with lush ylang ylang, rose and tonka”

Top notes: yuzu, pink grapefruit, rosewood

Middle notes: peach accord, ylang ylang, rose otto

Base notes: tonka, vetiver, spun sugar (natural maltol)

15ml/$50 

 Mousseline Pêche will be available online at www.providenceperfume.com June 15th and launched at the Providence Perfume Co. boutique at  Fragrance and Fashion Event t co-hosted with Jonathan Joseph Peters June 22nd, 2013 12-5 pm.

We hope you enjoy wearing the fragrance as much as Jonathan and I enjoyed collaborating on its creation.

Editor's Note: Name a designer, chances are they have their own fragrance. Interestingly, few if any are natural perfumes. Jonathan wanted Mousseline Pêche to be  reasonably priced, since many of his  fashion fans may not be able to afford one of his creations. I love Jonathan's  quote on facebook ." Hey!  I make pretty things. Do you like pretty things?"  Yes, Jonathan I do. –Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

Thanks to Charna Ethier we have a very fashionable draw for one of our readers in the USA. To be eligible leave a comment with suggestions on what color and fabric would be a great idea for a perfume. Draw ends June 13, 2013.

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