Edward Meadham and Benjamin Kirchhoff (Fashion Times)

I am the first to admit that although I am something of a glamourpuss, I am not, as the Kinks aptly put it back in 1966, a “dedicated follower of fashion.” I like to look at it, but I don’t know who does what, and my only fashion shows have been for iconic designers who have made it to the museum. I do enjoy it when a fragrance house and fashion house team up to collaborate, though, because often a fashion house will have creative direction that can push the envelope. Penhaligon’s has collaborated with avant garde British designers known as Meadham Kirchhoff to perfume their runway shows in the past, but with existing perfumes. This season, Penhaligon’s made a perfume expressly for the fashion duo, Edward Meadham and Benjamin Kirchhoff, with perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour immersing himself in their world of whimsical fashion to create Tralala (His last fashion inspired fragrance for Penhaligon's Satorial was inspired by the very proper traditional bespoke suits and shirts from Savile Row).

First, I need to mention the bottle. Stepping a bit more fashion forward than the traditional beribboned Penhaligon’s bottle, the normally transparent top is colorfully adorned with a face made up much like the bright Meadham Kirchhoff models are on the runway. The usually genteel ribbon is here a foofy velvet bow that almost obscures the face. The label uses the trademark Meadhan Kirchhoff typeface superimposed on a heart, and it is all encased in a very fancy box. Completely adorable.

Illustration Meadham Kirchhoff S/S 2014, by Valerie Servais; Jean Demarchy fashion illustration 1953

Tralala opens with a mist of aldehydes, giving the perfume an instantly vintage feel. It is slightly boozy and giddy, like champagne bubbles that tickle your nose as you raise your glass. This perfume is wonderfully blended; it is pointless to pick out notes, which I don’t really like to do, anyway. What I get is a perfume that reminds me of some of the sparkly, powdery retro perfumes I have in my collection that fortunately also has the depth and oomph of a classic vintage fragrance, thanks to the deeper notes that balance the giggly ones. It needs to be sprayed, and fairly lavishly, because M. Duchaufour has managed to create a retro perfume truly for the modern age: incorporating all of the vivacity of vintage while capturing the scent in an almost ethereal way. It is light and easy to wear while still having a wonderful complexity.

The Tralala Fashion Box on the runway, Milles Willis for Getty

Penhaligon’s has been releasing  quite a few  excellent perfumes over the last couple of years, and I am always excited to hear about something new. Tralala is no exception, and I am already envisioning the fab flacon on my dresser (that is unless Michelyn or Nancy, our very own fashionistas plot to become bottle burglars).

Notes Aldehydes, Saffron, Whiskey, Ambrette Seed Butter, Galbanum, Violet Leaf Absolute, Carnation, Leather, Tuberose, Ylang Ylang, Orris, Incense, Myrrh Resinoid, Opoponax Absolute, Patchouli, Vetiver, Cedarwood, Heliotrope, Musk, Vanilla

I received my samples thanks to Penhaligon’s of London. Tralala is currently available at Harvey Nichols and Penhaligon’s online and in boutiques, and will launch in the US in June.

Tama Blough, Managing Editor

Thanks to our friends at Penhaligon's London we have a sample of Tralala for one US reader.To be eligible leave a comment with why Tralala appeals to you or your favorite British Fashion Designer or style icon. Draw ends 5/10/2014

We announce the winners only on site and our Facebook page, so like CaFleureBon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will just be spilled perfume.