Caron Boutique, New York: Photo by Valerie Lee Vitale all rights reserved
Caron is indeed the Grand Maison de Haute Parfumerie. Walk into the NYC Caron boutique and there is no denying the grandeur of their Baccarat Fountain Perfumes, one of kind flacons, powder puffs, chandeliers, and some bottles are that are still sealed by baudruchage, a 19th Century technique of sealing perfume bottles. Richard Fraysee is Caron's in-house perfumer and I would imagine that he has had the amazing yet difficult job of looking forward and backwards at the same time, thus bringing Caron into the 21st Century. Caron drips of history, wear Tabac Blond, and immediately feel its power. It was made in 1919 by perfumer Ernest Daltroff as a tribute to the independent women living at that time. Jump 100 years forward to 2011, and you will find Accord 119, made by Mr. Fraysee; it is rich, complex, and a fine example of a haute fruity floral perfume.
On a recent trip to the NYC boutique, I was a little apprehensive when I found that last year Caron launched five fragrances that pay tribute to a few of their original fragrances called La Sélection Caron. I happily can say that I hesitate to call these flankers because they don't feel or act like naughty flankers do. These fragrances are well edited and modern takes on some of their original fragrances. They are thoughtful, well balanced, each distinct and fine variations. They are a tenacious bunch of fragrances, so depending on how you apply them they can easily be worn from day to evening. They are a way to feel the voice of Caron without the weight of their extraits.
Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern) and Lady Rose (Lily James) of Downton Abbey
Two of the five fragrances of the collection, Aimez Moi (1996), and Parfum Sacré (1993) held my attention and do feel different from their mother fragrances, yet as we know the apple doesn’t’ fall far from the tree. La Selection Caron, Aimez Moi (2013) is a gorgeous ruffle of an accord that scurries out of the bottle, the promise of spring. Bergamot, Violet, and Anise, complete this fresh floral and its slightly aldyhedic timbre, Magnolia, and Vanilla keep everything sweetly humming as it quiets. La Sélection Caron, Parfum Sacré (2013) is an airy breathy peppered rose, cinnamon and pepper mixes with Rose to create a rounded perfume that has warmth and lift at the same time. Musk and Myrrh create a bit of earthiness as the fragrance delicately settles into its warm powdery dry down.
While watching the final episode of Season 4 Downton Abbey, I imagined the grounded Cora Crawley wearing the Caron fountain extraits, and the flighty modern Lady Rose wearing these two from La Sélection. Both are incredibly and equally lovely in very different ways.
-Valerie Vitale, Editor
Thanks to Diane Haska, the Caron Ambassador at the New York Boutique at Phyto Universe (on 58th street, 3rd floor), we have a special treat for one of our USA or Canadian readers- A deluxe sampler of all five fragrances in the La Sélection Caron collection, Aimez Moi, Parfum Sacré, Nocturnes, My Ylang, and Piu Bellodgia . To be eligible please leave a comment with your favorite Caron Perfume or one you would love to try (for extra credit who is your favorite Downton Abbey character and which Caron fragrance would they wear). Draw closes March 12, 2014.
Editor's Note: To all our New York and tri state readers, if you visit the Caron Boutique, please ask for Diane. I have known her for nine years and she is a wealth of knowledge and elegance personifed. If you mention Michelyn or CaFleureBon, Diane will offer you a generous sample of any of the fountain fragrances as a lovely gift. To read my interview with Romain Ales, President of the House of Caron "The History of Love, War and Fragrance" please click here -Michelyn Camen, Editor In Chief
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