Esxence 2017:  Recap Part 1  (Nobile 1942, Jacques Fath Parfums, M. Micallef, Nishane, Masque Milano, Olfactive Studio, Vero.Profumi, Sammarco, Nishane, Jul et Mad, Olivier Durbano, Neela Vermeire,  Parfumeurs du Monde, AEDES de VENUSTAS, Anatole Lebreton) + The Garden of Eden in Bloom Draw

The Flamingo was this year's mascot at Esxence

 It is CaFleureBon’s 6th year as a media partner with Esxence-The Scent of Excellence, which has  steadily grown in scope, sophistication and is the largest fair for artistic perfumery in the world. For the 9th Edition, the team outdid themselves and produced an exhibition of visual beautythat set the tone for many of the major trends at the show…floral, green, and blooming, many firsts for quite a few brands and women in perfumery shone brightly.

Over the next few days and weeks, Editor Lauryn Beer, Contributors Sebastian Jara and Ermano Picco will add their impressions, discoveries and perspectives. 

The theme, The Garden of Eden, curated by Elisa Duò was worthy of a Hollywood production and was splendidly realized as cascades of floral garlands parted like a curtain as you entered the main hall, reminding me of a set from the movie La La Land.  For the first time in many years, oud and dark brooding fragrances seemed to take a back-stage to glowing florals, trees bearing forbidden fruit and crisp vegetal greenery.

Stephane Humbert Lucas 

I felt this immediately as I entered the exhibition; the first booth I encountered was Stephane Humbert Lucas, best known for his Orientals and incense based fragrances, debuted Panthea, Wish Come True and Lufu all floral inspired. Wish Come True is aptly named.

With Neela Vermeire of NVC

Next stop was for my annual hug from Neela Vermeire who looked radiant as she presented Rahele, her 7th collaboration with Bertrand Duchaufour. Rahele is a beautifully baroque perfume set with a .jewel-like osmanthus surrounded  in spices and violets.

Olivier Durbano's booth

Speaking of jewels, Olivier Durbano’s Parfums du Pierres Poèmes are infused with the healing energy of gem stones. Olivier's 2016 Lapis Lazuli is a favorite of my boyfriend who finds it calming. Since we like calm boyfriends, Olivier was kind enough to gift me a chunk of lapis that will be turned into a talisman necklace.

Nobile 1942 1001

Nobile 1942 introduced 1001, inspired by the “smell” of books, writing and storytelling. Women writers will inscribe their “stories” on papyrus, their narration of scent. Creative director  Stefania Giannino Nobile’s very ambitious ode to women was created in collaboration with Luca Maffei (notes of Bergamot, Red Tea, Ginger Fresh, Elemi, Pink Pepper, Fleur de Papyrus, Turkish Rose Essence, Jasmine Grandiflorum, Iris, Saffron,  Turmeric, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Amber, Vanilla,and Musk).

Patricia de Nicolaï and MC. 

It is no secret that Patricia de Nicolaï is one of my role models, as a woman in the patriarchal Guerlain family, she was told she would never be a perfumer. The first Lady of Niche began her eponymous perfumery in 1989, the first woman to do so.  I am not a fan of many Rose fragrances, but I was smitten with Rose Royale, a peachy lush rose composed with an abundance of precious Rose de Mai.

Celine Verleure of Olfactive Studio

Another woman I have admired since 2009, when she conceived of Olfactive Studio through Le Blog qui n’existe pas is Celine Verleure.  Her new fragrance Woody Mood is collaboration with Bertrand Duchaufour and the photo is by an American, Roger Steffens, who Celine described as an ex-hippie.  

No florals here; notes of bergamot, ginger, clary sage, saffron  redwood, jatamansi, black tea, patchouli, styrax, rum and M. Duchaufour’s signature leather accord.

NAJA Vero Kern of vero.profumi

Excense 2017 marked “The return of Vero Kern”, one of the most beloved and iconic artisan perfumers. She debuted her much anticipated NAJA extrait, her serpentine perfume and Vero's 5th in 10 years. Like the snake itself, NAJA is filled with dualities. The snake is a symbol of rebirth and of healing as much as it is a symbol of evil. Osmanthus and tobacco, with a surprising  prominent linden blossom note adds drops of honey instead of venom. Shamanic and addictive.

Nathalie Feisthauer (photo: Sarah Colton)

Nathalie Feisthauer, who has composed quite a few of my favorite perfumes including Putain du Palais and the icy holographic Wisteria Hysteria Stephen Jones X Commes de Garcons is la nez of the new AEDES de VENUSTAS Pelargonium, the first woman perfumer for the House. 

AEDES DE VENUSTAS Pelagorium

As is in all AEDES DE VENUSTAS Parfums, there is a lynchpin ingredient,  here, Egyptian Geranium. There is an elegance to this perfume that is haunting. Resinous shadows create a backdrop for the dusty light of bergamot and orris. If Pelagorium was a painting it would be a Hans Bollongier still life.

Luca Maffei of Atelier Fragranze Milano

 Two Time Art and Olfaction Award Winner Luca Maffei just may be the “James Brown” of artistic perfumery with 13 fragrances debuting at Esxence. He composed:

Quelque Fleurs Jardin Secret

HOUBIGANT Paris: Quelques Fleurs Jardin Secret , JUL ET MAD Paris: Bella Donna the new, JAQUES FATH  Joie de Vivre collection, (Rosso Epicureo , L'Oree du Bois, Les Frivolites  and   Lilas Exquis , MAISON OLIBERE:  Savannah's Heart, HISTOIRES DE PARFUMS, This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.2 , COOLIFE NYC, Le Sixieme Parfum  and Le Septieme,  the aforementioned  NOBILE 1942:1001,  MENDITTOROSA ODORI DELL'ANIMA: Archetipo and NASO DI RAZA Giuseppe.  

One of my favorite of his works (I did not have an opportunity to get to Mendittorosa, Coolife Le Septieme and Naso di Razo) was JAQUES FATH Lilas Exquis, a hyper-realistic dewy lilac that flooded me with scent memories of my grandmother’s tiny NYC garden. I was five years old and stuck my little nose into the lilac bushs after a sunshower one summer and was near dizzy from happiness. Lilac is one of the most difficult scents to capture, and there are only a handful of perfumers who have achieved it. Exquisite indeed.

Jul et Mad LES WHITES BELLA DONNA (Luca Maffei), FUGIT AMOUR (Stéphanie Bakouche) and MON SEUL DÉSIR (Stéphanie Bakouche) 2017

Stephanie Bakouche and Julien Blanchard 

Juls et Mad new trilogy Belladonna (Luca Maffei), Fugit Amour and MON SEUL DÉSIR (Stephanie Bakouche took their inspiration from  paintings, sculpture and tapestry. Mon Seul Desir, a spicy floriental is a triumph for Stephanie Bakrouche who, (best known for MDCI Invasion Barbare) after her stint at L’Artisan Parfumeur can fly untethered. Belladonna is another homerun for Luca as he deftly uses osmanthus to give a solid base to the magnolia.

Parfumeurs du Monde: Perrine Scandel, Michel Roudnitska, MC, Ermano Picco, Eric Gigodot, Thierrry Bernard and Isabelle Gelle

If there were other natural perfumers at Esxence, I didn’t see them. But they would have probably paled behind the dream team of Parfumeurs du Monde: Michel Roudnitska, Isabelle Gelle, Perrine Scandel, Thierry Bernard, Jean Claude and Eric Gigodot. Opuses all.

NISHANE (nish-anay) ZENNE KARAGOZ HACIVAT (photo from Nishane)

I knew when I read about NISHANE Shadow Play Collection ZENNE would be my favorite. On my skin it had me by her strings. The inventive creative directors Mert Güzel and Murat Katran used traditional Turkish Puppetry as inspiration for three new fragrances KARAGOZ & HACIVAT & ZENNE. ZENNE is a fruity-floral that elevates the category to the next level of sophistication, and sexiness… tart and slightly sweet with an unexpected ambergris base that puts on its own show.

Anatole Lebreton presented one of the most intriguing perfumes: Grimoire, which means spell book. Herbal, musky and Lavender (lots of it), but it’s the incense that is magic.

Masque Milano Mandala and Times Square (photo: Masque Milano)

Masque Milano (Top Ten Finalists for Romanza -Art and Olfaction and L’Attesa -Top Ten Finalist Fragrance Foundation) presented Times Square and Mandala. Times Square as we reported was inspired by the late 80s early 1990s reality of Times Square and Broadway, when Elmo didn’t ask to take a picture with you, rather, each side street had peep shows, dirty condoms, drug addicts and Ladies of the Night. Truly I hated walking there even in daylight.  I was ready for “New York Stinks” but Bruno Jovanovic under the direction of  Alessandro Brun and Riccardo Tedeschi brought a  neon-pop, wearable floral with just a hint of back alley that I liked very much.  Mandala by Christian Carbonell is herbal, spicy, floral and laced with an absolutely gorgeous frankincense note..

Indie perfumer Giovanni Sammarco presented NAIAS, a violet perfume that is not violet, rather a skin scent (if you just happened to be a goddess).  Big florals in abundance; Rose, Violet, Neroli, Osmanthus, meld with various fruits, yet NAIAS is somehow musky and not overpowering. BLOOM

 Like a scented traveler finding her way home, I headed to M. Micallef’s booth. I have yet to find one that doesn’t sing on my skin.

Secrets of Love Gourmand

New to the Secrets of Love collection is Gourmand, which don’t be put off by the name at is not overly so, with one of the most lovely chestnut and incense notes.

Yes, please !!! Jacaranda

Their third Collector fragrance Jacaranda was inspired by the sub-tropical tree of the same name, known for its indigo-blue to purple trumpet shaped flowers. Ambery, rosy and a hint of spice.

 

 Notes Vanille is legendary among perfumistas and we keep lobbying to bring it back permanently. Until then, six new vanillas in Collection Vanille: Vanille Sambac, Vanille Guaic, Vanille Patchouli, Vanille Guaiac, Oud Vanille and Vanille Cuir will keep us happy.

Call me the sample smuggler, How I fit so many in my carryon. Sneaky but effective.

So by now, Day 1, I was feverish, coughing and beginning to lose my sense of smell, as I came down with a terrible cold  (thanks to the woman on the flight from JFK over who sneezed in my face). There were quite a few Houses I did not get to, I apologize.

More this weekend with my Best of Show

-Michelyn Camen, Editor-in Chief

Thanks to many perfumers (some not represented here)  who generously gave me extra samples of over 40 fragrances that were introduced  or exhibited at Esxence, we have a draw for a registered CaFleureBon reader for the EU, USA and Canada for a lovely gift bag of new or soon to be released perfumes  from Esxence.  To be eligible please leave a comment with which of the fragrances sound interesting to you, where you live. Draw closes 4/5/2017

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

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

84 − 80 =

61 comments

  • waw! I am also black from Milan, I just stayed there 2 days and of course it was impossible to smelll everything or do it appropiately as we needed to stop from tim to time, but people were amazing. I loved the new Vero Kern, Lilac of Jacques Fath, Iris fauve de Atelier des Ors , Kiss Me of Nicolai, OdUD jAMINE OF Royal Crown..and all the Neeila Vermeire! ( and more)
    I am in Europe, Thanks !!

  • These look and sound like they must smell fabulous! The several Micallef are especially intriguing.

    I hope you feel better soon, Michelyn. BTW you look beautiful in the photos despite being sick. I’m looking forward to your next installment of Best in Show.

  • I love the new Rose Royale from Nicolaï, who is quickly turning into my favourite house. Spring is coming to Paris, and I’m eager to try more floral scents!

  • I wish I’ll be able to make it next year! I am dying to try the new Jul et MAd, Neela’s new creation as well as Vero |Kern’s. The new Houbigant and Nishane’s look fabulous, Gosh I want to try them all!! I am in the UK, thank you so much for this draw!

  • Among the ones than interest me strongly, there are :
    – the 2 Masque creations (especially Mandala) because I love incense fragrances (Lavs, Black, Sahara noir, …) and Masque (Tango, Romanza) !
    – the Olfactive studio one because I have a love/hate relationship with Duchaufour creations (love Dzongkha, Séville à l’Aube, the first Aedes de venustas, …) but dislike some others (Copal Azur, …) but it’s still interesting to smell (and even more if you fall in love for some of them…)
    – and, of course, the Vero Profumo one, because I can’t live without Onda !

    Cheers,
    I live in the EU.

  • How very exciting! I love all Nicolai fragrances I’ve tried. Heard so much about Vero Kern but never had a chance to try, same for Micallef. Oh, where to start, where to end?

    I’m in Canada!

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    Oh, to be there. This is on my bucket list!

    I’d love to try the new Masque Milano fragrances; 1001 sounds fascinating; but Pelargonium is at the top of my list.

    I’m in the USA. Thank you!!!

  • All of them? 🙂 kidding aside definitely the new Fath, Aedes de Venustas, Masque Milanos and the Jul & Mad Belladona.
    Not sure if I’d be eligible for the samples since I’m based in Chile & Switzerland, but wanted to comment anyway, because Exscene roundup posts are some of my favorites! I can almost smell and see it.

  • OMG I wish I were there!I have never seen a write-up about Esxence that lists so many houses and perfumers that I love and new perfumes that get me really excited. The first one is Mendittorosa Odori d’Anima Archetipo. I love Sogno Reale by her. Then there’s Giovanni Sammarco’s Nais – I can be an older goddess. 🙂 And Anatole Lebreton with Grimoire and Parfumeurs du Monde and M Micallef Jacaranda. I better stop now. I would love to win, but win or lose, I will be doing a lot of new sampling. Thank you. I am in the US.

  • Sneezed in your face! How rude!

    What a list! I fancy sniffing all of them but I am already in love with NAJA, for the exquisite-sounding contents, and for that gorgeous bottle.

    Thanks for the draw, i’m in Canada. 🙂

  • ntabassum92 says:

    Rose Royale and NAJA sound awesome, based on your wonderful descriptions. I am in the US. Thanks for your generosity, I hope you feel better soon!

  • BethMongold says:

    Oh my god let me count the ways. I would love to try all of them, but especially SHL’s Wish Come True; Nobile 1942’s 1001; AEDES DE VENUSTAS; Lebreton’s Grimoire; Sammarco’s NAIAS; and most especially Kern’s NAGA!! I live in Colorado USA…I hope you are feeling better, what a terrible time to get a cold!!!!

  • A new Vero Kern?!! Am so excited for this!! And osmanthus and tobacco as the main notes? How glorious! This would have been my first stop for sure! Sammarco is a house I’ve been interested in, but haven’t had the opportunity to try, so that would have been next on my list.

    Thanks for helping us live vicariously, for those of us not able to attend, and please count me in for the draw. Canada, please 🙂

  • I’ve tried every Olfactive Studio release except for Woody Mood, and I am so looking forward to it! I’ve also gotten very curious about Coolife NYC, and Luca Maffei’s creations Le Sixième and Le Septième.

    The very brief description of Anatole Lebreton’s Grimoire made my eyes open wide! I’ll be looking to learn more about this one!

    I’ve seen the Jacques Fath dress L’Orée du Bois. and I’d love to get my nose on the fragrance inspired by that gorgeous creation.

    But the most compelling must-try for me is Aedes de Venusta’s new one, Pelargonium. I adore Nathalie Feisthauer’s work, and have been an admirer since Nuits Indiennes back in the 90s!

    I am in the US.

  • Wow. SO many fabulous scents to look forward to!
    Naja & Rahele are calling my name. I live in the U.S. Thank you for the generous giveaway!

  • Everything sounds so gorgeous! Because we’ve been waiting for this one for some time, the top of my list has to be Vero’s Naga. The M. Micallefs speak to me as well. (Oh, those bottles!) Masque Milano generally works well with my skin, so that is another one I will be looking for.

    Hope you feel much better, Michelyn! Wonderful draw!

    I am in the U.S.

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    They all Sound wonderful – one day when I am grown-up ;-)) I will go myself to this extraordinary perfume Show.

    Nobile 1942 1001 sounds interesting, I loved all the stories as a child.

    Woody Mood without florals sounds exceptional.

    Jacaranda sounds beautifully exotic, but my favourite would be ZENNE.

    Thanks for the draw and the Report!!

    I live in the EU.

  • Oh to meet Michel Roudnitska and have a photo with him. Jaques Fath lilac exquis sounds incredibly appealing as does NISHANE (thanks for to correct way to say it). You look so pretty even though you are sick and I had to lol when I saw your sample smuggling system. I have read a few summaries of Esxence on another site and this is the most exciting of them as I really felt I was there. I live in the US

  • fazalcheema says:

    Masque’s Times Square intrigues me the most because Michelyn is a lifelong New Yorker and remembers the era of 80s and 90s well that inspired this creation. It is not exactly as Michelyn expected but there is a little dirtiness here and there. I immed. recognized Stephanie in the picture. As she is done with L’Artisan, she may create many more perfumes because she is def. one of those perfumers who have been very conservative and whose work we would like to see more often due to her magical invasion barbare. Thanks for the generous draw. I am in US.

  • I have found out about Esxence last year and followed it with interest, as I did this year also. I wish I could be there sometime!
    JAQUES FATH, NISHANE, Masque Milano, M. Micallef are a few that I’m excited to sniff. I rarely get the chance to test such newly released niche perfumes, so that bag in so tempting! I live in EU.

  • cardinalmind says:

    Every single one! No kidding having a bag of samples will mean sniffing a lot different scents, each with a story to tell. It might mean like I’m chickening out by not choosing but I imagine myself like forrest gump with a box of chocolate where I don’t know what I’ll get. Isn’t that fun and exciting at the same time? I live in California atm! Thanks for the chance!

  • I am certainly interested in anything Stephane Humbert Lucas, then also the next book scent 1001 by Nobile 1942. – Happy to receive samples in Germany!

  • The Pelargonium from Aedes de Venustas because that’s a quality house. Also, anything from Collection Vanille. 🙂 And Woody Mood, I’d like to try a non-floral. USA

  • Thanks for the great report, it’s almost as good as being there! I’m so jealous, would love to go someday. To me the new trio from Nishane sounds delicious, and so does Parfums de Nicolai’s Rose Royale. Thank you for the draw as always!! I am in Canada.

  • Great read, lots of information from the upcoming creations available on market soon. I would love to test some Jul et Mad fragrances, even the newer ones if not all of them. Mad being from my country you can guess my curiosity is even bigger as I have not tested any creations from her and her partner yet.

    Thanks for the draw!

  • Wow! So many wonderful perfume to try! It would be so good, to try all of these beauties. I’m very interested all of them, mostly the Secrets of Love collection. Thank you very much for the generous draw! I live in Europe.

  • Because I love the underrated Invasion Barbare I’d love to smell the Mon Seul Desir. Very interested in trying Le Sixieme Parfum, love the note list. I’d try next the Woody Mood, Olfactive Studio consistently puts out some good stuff. u.s.a

  • Masque Mandala sounds great!

    I am a reader from the EU. Thank you! Wish you all the best!

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    So excited to see coverage of this event! Wish I had the resources to get there and be privy to the luxurious fun. In any case, lots of these sound wonderful. I’m particularly interested in Rahele and Naja, as I love both of those houses as well as interesting treatments of osmanthus! But honestly, everything sounds great. Long live green florals! I’m in the US. Thanks so much for the draw.

  • NiceVULady says:

    Which doesn’t sound interesting should be the question. Oh my, so many to try and so little time. I love magnolia, so Belladonna sounds fascinating. Thanks for the draw. I live in the USA

  • Need to try all of these! Jacaranda especially!
    Thank you for the interesting report and great draw! I live in Europe

  • My first time hearing about Esxence. Bombardment of new and beautiful perfumes. If I won I would have Wood Mood or one of Nishane perfumes.
    Thank you again for all these useful information. Live in the US.

  • marcopietro says:

    Oh, how many wonderful suggestions and tips! That’s a phantasmagorical carousel of smells, colors and emotions. Thanks for your report.
    the cupid’s arrow has struck with Masque Milano Mandala, Aedes De Venustas Pelagorium, Vero Kern Naja e Durbano LapisLazuli.
    I live in EU.

  • To me AEDES de VENUSTAS Pelargonium sounds nice along with Jacaranda, Woody mood.
    This sounds like a great event.

    I would love a chance to try the new releases.
    In USA.

  • I would love to attend Customer Esxence one year, I’d be in heaven! Thank you for the post with your report on new releases, experience, and photos, next best thing to being there! I look forward to experiencing Masque Milano Mandala (I adore L’Attesa); Aedes De Venustas Pelagorium, Vero Kern Naja (I adore Rozy and Onda) and Jacques Fath Nishane.
    I live in USA.

  • What a great captive of Esxence experience. I love seeing so many woman perfumers. I was captivated by Naja, M. Micallef’s always 🙂 Zenne, Rahele, Woody Mood and Wish come true.
    Great article and hope your feeling better.

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Thanks for the post, article and introduction of new perfume launch. Sounds marvelous! If I am alive some day in my life I’ll certainly visit such event.
    Surprised that Dusita Parfums booth not visited. What mesmerizing me are: 1) Nishane new launch Hacivat, Karagoz, Zenne, 2) Masque Milano Mandala with awesome notes and Times Square with glossy lipstick accord 3) Woody Mood and 4) Lapis Lazuli.
    Thanks to many perfumers for their generosity and Cafleurebon for the opportunity to participate in the draw by letting my relative address in NY, US.

  • Anything by Patricia Nicolai is always of interest… also the Vero Kern’s snake 😉 and Rahele because who can resist a Parisian traveller?

    I’m in the UK.

  • Michelyn, you lead the life! Thank you for the review of the perfumers and their new perfumes on display. They all sound so interesting but standouts to me are Pelagorium, Jacque Fath Lilac, jacaranda and the Juls et Mad trio. Thank you! USA

  • Anna Egeria says:

    Thank you for this review. I would love to have Lilas Equis and I will be purchasing it at some time. Also Pelargonium appeals to me because I love the scent of geraniums. I live in the U.S and thanks for this draw.

  • First and foremost, hope you are feeling better. It must be like a kid in a candy shop, being able to visit all the different perfumers and experience all the wonderful scents. Nishane Zenne and Micallef’s Gourmand both have my attention. Of course, I would have to try Bella Donna from Jul et Mad – being my namesake and all 🙂 thank you for the wonderful info – I am registered and in the US.

  • So many wonderful perfumes to try! It’s fantastic that you’ve had the chance to meet all those people. Among others, the ones that woke interest are Nicolai, Masque Milano, M. Micallef and Nishane.
    Thanks for the generous draw. I live in Europe.

  • Love this overview — I want to try Masque but haven’t yet. I was so close to Nicolai in Paris and didn’t go to my regret!! At least I went to JAR. I really want to try Lapis Lazuli, it sounds so interesting! I’m in the USA. Those last few pics of the bottles are so neat! I am dying to go to a perfume event someday. I travel a lot but always forget to research where/when they are, if you can attend etc.

  • Loved reading about all of these amazing scents. Very interested in the Jul En Mad and Nishane fragrances! Thanks for the draw and I’m in Canada!

  • Wow so many new things again, I can’t keep up…Jacaranda…. the bottle, I can’t but drool, how beautiful. Too hard to mention just which ones I am interested in, I have to say all of them even if just get to sample them. Great draw, I am in the US and thank you so much.

  • MikasMinion says:

    There are a surprising number of perfumes that pique my interest this year. The newest from SHL and Vero Kern, of course, Jacaranda because I adore the trees and want to see how M. Micallef has interpreted it, the new Nishanes, and the Nicolai rose all call to me. I would love to be able to sample them.
    I’m in the US. Thanks!

  • M. Micallef’s Jacaranda most intrigues me, it’s a wonder perfumery hasn’t gone there before. Second place to Aedes De Venustas geranium offering Pelagorium.

    I’m in the USA, thanks for the drawing.

  • Thank you for this draw!

    If I had to choose I would say Pelagorium by Aedes de Venustas (because I’m so curious about Nathalie Feisthauer and Geranium!), as well as Bella Donna by Jul et Mad Paris (the notes got me really excited).

    I’m in Europe.

  • I love reading about all of these houses I’ve yet to try. I’ve been dying to get my hands on a Neela Vermeire perfume, so was excited to hear about her newest. Nobile 1942’s 1001 also sounds lovely, with its rose, saffron, and sandalwood. Finally, M. Micallef’s Gourmand sounds wonderful. I live in Canada, thank you.

  • doveskylark says:

    I am intrigued by the Masque Milano Times Square fragrance. I’m one of those people who moan about how much better New York was back in the 70’s and 80’s, before Times Square became Disneyfied. Every city needs a red light district. When I was a teen I lived in Connecticut and sometimes I would skip school and take the bus to NYC. One time I missed the last bus and I slept in an all-night porno theater. Good times. I wonder if an Italian house could capture the glitz and sleaze of this era.

  • There are so many I would love to try, the Vermeire of course and the new Olfactive studio, Woody Notes. I feel confident there is a chance I would loves these but others sound more chancy that I would love to try, particularly Lebreton’s Grimoire, Naias, and Nishane’s Zenne.

  • Oops forgot to add I am in the UK and I also forgot some I rely want to try, such as the Nobile, 1001, mmmm …. saffron and sandalwood ……and the Micaleff Goumande. Itt must be literally overwhelming trying to take all this in when you are actually at these events. The idea of going to something like this seems amazing to me but in reality it must be exhausting, thanks for this great and informative post.

  • gvillecreative says:

    These photos make me REALLY want to go. Can anyone go to Essence or do you need a press pass? These all sounds great but Vero Kern Naja in particular sounds eight up my alley– and look at that bottle!! I am in the US. Thank you for sharing. This is literally the only place to get news and photos of Esxence!

  • Iphigenia says:

    They must all of them smell amazingly well, I am sure just by reading the notes! The Micallef perfume Gourmande with saffron and sandalwood sounds very alluring and promising! I would really love to try all of them if I could…
    Thank you very much for such a generous prize opportunity!

  • Loved reading all reports, thanks for sharing.
    I’d love to try Woody Mood with M. Duchaufour’s signature leather accord and 1001 sounds really interesting.

    I live in EU. Thanks!

  • Oud Vanille sounds like a lovely fragrance.

    Thanks for the chance. I’m in Canada.

  • Nobile 1942…I also love the smell of books…have since my childhood. Woody Mood caught my attention as well. Thanks so much for this information. I live in the USA.

  • I live in the US and would love to wear Nobile 1942’s 1001 (the smell of books sounds wonderful), or any of the Juls et Mad new trilogy.

  • Lellabelle says:

    Am desperate to get hold of a sample of Vero’a Naja! It’s not available yet and I adore her work. So creative, classical and masterfully constructed. Mito is one of my favourite perfumes 🙂 Naja sounds divine and I can’t wait to get a chance to try it. Please include me for the draw. US please and thank you for the opportunity to try these lovely releases and share in the excitement of Excense remotely!