Sniffapalooza Fall Ball 2022 Event Report (The 31st Edition) + NYC Fragrance District Swag Bag Draw

 

Elizabeth Street, Mott Street and Mulberry Street are known as NYC's Fragrance District

Sniffapalooza Fall Ball 2022 was a one day event visiting perfume boutiques on Elizabeth, Mott and Mulberry Streets aka NYC’s Fragrance District (street photos by Hernando)

It’s been three years since the last Sniffapalooza Fall Ball. With the pandemic playing havoc with live in-person fragrance events Team Karen (Karen Dubin and Karen Adams) was able to host a handful of small live events but mostly Sniffapalooza went virtual hosting Master Classes with many notable fragrance houses. The formerly two-day event is now a one-day event with the Saturday uptown day being eliminated and the Sunday downtown day now moved to Saturday in what our Editor-in-Chief Michelyn Camen dubbed NYC’s Fragrance District.

The pandemic did change the composition of Elizabeth Street with notable stores Atelier CologneCire TrudonClaus PortoNatura Brazil, and NestRed Flower right around the corner closing since the last Fall Ball. (Read Curbed Magazine which quotes Michelyn Camen and others in this report on why there are so many perfume stores on Elizabeth Street).

Bart Schmidt of Brands with Purpose and Ryan Hunts of Beach Geeza at Le Labo on Elizabeth Street in NYC's Fragrance District

Bart Schmidt of Brands with Purpose and Ryan Hunts of Beach Geeza at Le Labo 233 Elizabeth Street in The Fragrance District 

A gorgeous Fall morning greeted us as we started the day at 10 am at Le Labos flagship store. The iconic brand offers up wonderful scent creations, fabulous candles, laundry wash, and have your purchases custom-labeled. The Annex next door is dedicated exclusively to the Body-Hair-Face and Men’s Grooming Collections.

Malin + Goetz downtown NYC

Malin + Goetz 235 Elizabeth Street

Next door is Malin + Goetz which offers an extensive variety of skin, hair, and body products, and let’s not forget those astounding single-note fine fragrances.

Scent Bar NYC

Ryan Hunts of Beach Geeza and Vijay Uttam Director of Retail and Training at LUCKY SCENT INC/Scent Bar on 244 Elizabeth Street aka The Fragrance District

At ScentBar, fragrance specialist and store manager, Vijay Uttam welcomed us. The assortment of fragrances and candles is impressive. We could spend all day here. Brands that caught the attention of the group were JovoyBoy SmellsMarissa Zappas Fragrances, and Parfums de Marly

 

Olfactory NYC on Mott Street in NYC's Fragrance District

Olfactory NYC 281 Mott Street in NYC’s Fragrance District

One block over, located on Mott Street is Olfactory NYC whose fragrances are created by some of the world’s top perfumers using only the highest quality ingredients.. but at a fraction of the cost. They offer guided customization and personalization, and each scent is bottled on-site, which ensures a freshly made creation every time.

D.S. & Durga Mulberry Street in NYC Fragrance District

D.S. & Durga 255 Mulberry Street in NYC’s  Fragrance District

David Seth Moltz and Kavi Ahuja of D.S. & Durga are passionate about music, art, travel, and design and it all comes out in their scents, candles, and the design of their uber-hip store. Recent releases ‘Leatherize’, Bistro Water’ and ‘I Don’t Know’ impressed.

Diptyque on Prince Street is their newly renovated flagship boutique. The complete collection of their renowned candles, iconic fragrances, lifestyle products, and gorgeous home decoration range, are all on display. The new eco-friendly La Droguerie collection of household cleaning products is their most recent issue.

Lunch at Little Italy’s La Mela always is a full afternoon. From the five-course lunch to the outstanding line-up of 12 speakers.

 

Lunch Presentations:

Karen Dubin of Sniffapalooza

Karen Dubin presented Michael Edwards’ Perfume Legends II. Published in 1996 and recently revised and updated it is one the most significant books on modern perfumery. Many creators, perfumers, couturiers, bottle designers, and fragrance house executives spoke openly about their fragrances revealing much insight. In 2020 the book was honored with the Perfumed Plume Award for Fragrance Book of the YearKaren Dubin also introduced Eau d’Italie‘s latest scent, Mystic Sunset. From early Roman times, the red glowing setting sun has always had a mystical connotation in Positano and this perhaps contributes to its reputation as one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. This is a fragrance that embodies the soul-moving warmth of a Summer sunset in Positano. The Perfumer is Marie Salamagne.

David Ecker at Sniffapalooza Fall Ball 2022 

Fragrance Expert David Ecker presented two luxury brands. First, Clive Christian brands two new scents, Amberwood and Blonde Amber. Both are high concentrations. Blonde Amber has 219 ingredients and Amberwood has 145 ingredients. Then David brought out Amouage Opus XIV Royal Tobacco which is a rich deep and opulent fragrance with tobacco and Oud. Perfumer Cecile Zarokian delivered this masterpiece.

New York perfumer and poet Marissa Zappas references her background in anthropology with her appreciation for the avant-garde perfumes of the early twentieth century. In 2019, she launched her Redamance collection. The perfumes are an homage and olfactive portraits of an overlooked woman from history and the notes reflect her time period, personality, and environment which aims to connect women of the past to women today through the transportive art of perfumery.

 

Ryan Hunts of Beach Geeza

Ryan Hunts of Beach Geeza 

Perfumer Ryan Hunts of Beach Geeza told us that perfume is something that you never fully master. There are new oils to discover and materials to experiment with that when blended together reveal something new. “I’m asked ‘what is your creative process? and I say I don’t really have one. Like a writer, painter or musician, life experiences are what comes through in the work and in the medium of perfume, if a material or an accord generates a distinct memory then I know I’m on the right track”.

Stephen Dirkes of Euphorium Brooklyn

 Stephen Dirkes of Euphorium Brooklyn is part court jester and part magician. There is a sleight of hand feeling with his presentations. One must pay close attention. Stephen’s latest potion is Rêve Vert (green dream) which is an acord inspired by the Green Dreams of 19th Century European Absinthe Culture.  Stephen also informed us that he is the now official perfumer for the island of Grenada. How did he do that?

Amy Marks McGee and Miles McGee of Trendincite 

Amy Marks McGee of Trendincite ups our game giving us the latest in innovations for what’s to come in flavor and fragrance. Food and beverage-inspired fragrances, scented personal care and cosmetics are coming on strong. Collaborations and innovative applications based on iconic food and beverage brands and flavors are appearing in fine fragrances, personal care, candles, and cosmetics. Wait and see.

Mona Maine de Biran Kierin NYC

Mona Maine de Biran, Founder of Kierin NYC 

Mona Maine de Biran, Founder of Kierin NYC are artistic statements and gender fluid. Mona informed us that as of now she is the sole proprietor of the brand and as for her latest release Santal Park she created it herself as a celebration of the Summer Solstice and New York’s new rooftop park on Pier 57. The scent is a sandalwood-based fragrance with gardenia saffron and oakmoss.

Bart Schmidt of Brands with Purpose

Bart Schmidt of Brands with Purpose 

Bart Schmidt and Karen Dubin showcased Judy – a Garland Fragrance, a perfume created by perfumer Vincent Spinnato in collaboration with Judy Garland’s daughters Lorna Luft and Liza Minelli to commemorate Judy Garland’s 100th birthday. It’s a luxurious rich floral and spicy gourmand unisex fine fragrance. It is exclusive to QVC through 12/1/2022.

Teri Johnson, Founder of The Harlem Candle Co.

Teri Johnson, Founder of The Harlem Candle Co. and The Harlem Perfume Co. PHOTO FIFTEEN

Teri Johnson, Founder of The Harlem Candle Co. and The Harlem Perfume Co. spoke of her latest candle masterpiece, Billie Eau de Parfum. Inspired by the white gardenia Billie Holiday always wore in her hair. Terry’s big reveal was announcing launching The Harlem Perfume Co. Billie Eau de Parfum is the first. The truly genderless scent wears differently on everyone as it brings out the beautiful nuances of this masterfully created fragrance composition.

Kelly Jones,Kelly & Jones Fragrances new mezcal collection

Kelly Jones, Scent Sommelier and founder of Kelly & Jones Fragrances 

Kelly Jones, Scent Sommelier and founder of Kelly & Jones Fragrances presented her K+J’s Eau de Mezcal Collection. Transporting you into the agave fields of Mexico Kelly worked with master mezcal distillers to capture the terroir of this mystical land and complex spirit. A portion of sales goes to Programa Vaca, a Mexico-based organization that helps rural residents build communities with natural, sustainable materials. The Perfumer of the Collection is Steven Claisse of Takasago.

Joseph Quartana of Parfums Quartana

Joseph Quartana of Parfums Quartana introduced his new Extrait de Parfum, IEROFANTE also features all-new packaging four years in development. The smoky and fiery leather gourmand for all genders imagines the mythology of the Hierophant tarot in Space-Age stylings. Parfums Quartana is an Award-Winning house for winning the 2017 Fragrance Foundation  Awards Perfume Extraordinaire for Poppy Soma.

Irina Adam of Phoenix Botanicals 

Phoenix Botanicals natural perfumer Irina Adam, a two-time Art and Olfaction Finalist presented two of her creations, Water Nymph (with a special shout-out to Ida Meister for her excellent review) and Witch’s Feast, her perfume collaboration with Melissa Jayne Madera, author of ‘The Witch’s Feast: A Kitchen Grimoire.’

Best indie, artisan and niche perfumes from NYC's Fragrance District

Sniffapalooza Fall Ball Fragrance District Gift Bag 

In closing, we were all overjoyed to be together again. Meeting new friends, discovering new stores, and fabulous fragrances in person, just the way it is supposed to be! Thank you, Team Karen (Karen Dubin and Karen Adams) for a scentually wonderful Fall Ball 2022 to remember. See you all at the Spring Fling 2023!

~Hernando Courtright, Senior Events Contributor and Brand Ambassador

All Photos by Hernando of CaFleureBon unless otherwise stated©.

We have a fragrance-filled Sniffapalooza Fall Ball 2022 Fragrance District swag bag filled with dozens of samples from the Fall Ball from ScentBar, Malin & Goetz, Diptyque, D.S.& Durga, Amouage, Euphorium Brooklyn, Phoenix Botanicals, Kelly & Jones, Beach Geeza, Kierin NYC Fragrances, Marissa Zappas Fragrances, Parfums Quartana, Raw Spirit and many others. To be eligible you must be a registered reader in the CON USA (you have to do this folks) and leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Hernando’s very detailed Sniffapalooza Fall Ball 2022 report if you have attended a Sniffapalooza event before and which brand or perfume you are really excited to get your nose on Have you ever been to NYC ‘s Fragrance District. The draw closes on October 28, 2022.

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial, @CourtrightMgmt, @karendubin100, @davidscottecker @Sniffapalooza @lelabofragrances @luckyscent @dsanddurga @olfactorynyc @MarissaZappas @beachgeeza @kierinnyc @phoenixbotanicals @eauditalie @fragrancesoftheworld @EuphoriumBrooklyn @agentfragrance@parfums_quartana @kellyandjones @marissazappas @trendincite @kierinnyc @clivechristianperfume @amouageofficial @judygarlandfragrance @harlemcandlecompany @malinandgoetz @diptyque @rawspirit_fragrances_

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27 comments

  • Wow! This event looks like it was a lot of fun. I’ve never been to a Sniffapalooza event, but Hernando did an amazing job capturing it in the article and photos. I think Beach Geeza by Ryan Hunt would be the fragrance that I would be most interested in getting my nose on, but they all sound incredible. I live in Houston Texas and would like to enter the giveaway. Thanks

  • Brad Woolslayer says:

    Glad to know the Sniffapalooza Fall Ball is back again. I enjoyed reading about the K + J’s Eau de Mezcal Collection, plus all the other perfumers that showcased their latest fragrances. This swag bag will be a wonderful way for one lucky person to experience many new fragrances. I live in Maryland USA.

  • Looks like a lot of fun!!! I can’t imagine a whole day of fragrances. I was at my local shop an hour yesterday chatting, trying new things and picking up my order. So much fun…..so a whole day would be amazing. Liked seeing OlfactoryNYC in the article, they are fantastic. Creating online was fun, but I would love to go in person. The most interesting to me is the Mezcal collection as I have always loved Mexican culture and food and grew up in southern CA going to Olvera Street and having a Mexican neighbor teach me to make tortillas (I was too young for Mezcal at the time). Thanks for the chance. Usa.

  • I am still new to perfume, so I never knew that Sniffapalooza existed until now, much less attended, but it sounds like so much fun! Thanks for taking us through the experience with this report, I enjoyed the whole thing! As far as perfumes mentioned that I’d like to smell: well, Marissa Zappas because she’s my favorite, and Water Nymph and Perfumes Quartana also sound interesting.
    I’m in WV, USA

  • Never been to Sniffapalooza, but sounds fun! Appreciate all the photos and details in the description. And always love samples! I’m especially excited to smell the Beach Geeza scents. In California.

  • I really enjoyed reading Hernando’s account of Sniffapalooza Fall Ball 2022; I would have loved to attend. All of the fragrance houses mentioned have great offerings. I do have a fragrance from Olfactory NYC, but I have been very interested in their customized creations. It would be fun to visit their boutique in person to create a unique fragrance. ScentBar is a very nice boutique and I enjoy the variety of houses. I also love Jovoy and Marissa Zappas, but I’ve yet to try Boy Smells perfume. I’ve smelled the Boy Smells candles, but I have been intrigued by their perfume.

    During lunch, the presentation about Michael Edwards’ Perfume Legends II sounds like it was quite interesting. I would have enjoyed listening to all of the presenters and eating at La Mela. Also, I am very excited to see the future of food and beverage-inspired fragrances as mentioned by Amy Marks McGee.

    Kelly Jones’ Eau de Mezcal Collection sounds amazing and I’ve been interested in testing them since I heard of the release. It’s nice to know that a portion of the sales goes to an important charity, as well.

    Overall, it sounds like Sniffapalooza was a very fun and informative event. I have never attended, but I would love to do so. I have never been to Fragrance District in NYC, but it’s on my list! From the mentioned fragrances, I am most excited to try Kelly Jones’ Eau de Mezcal Collection and Marissa Zappas’ Redamance collection.

    Thank you, Hernando, for the detailed account of Sniffapalooza, and thank you CaFleureBon for the giveaway! I am located in the USA.

  • LusPerfumes says:

    Fantastic article !
    I attended ONLY ONE sniffapalooza as a +1 I think it was in 2017 (?), so about 5years ago … when I was still young in my parfum passion. NOW, at 2200 DIFFERENT (mostly Vintage & mostly extrait/parfums) frags later, I’m an all out, confessionista about being a PASSIONATE PARFUM ADDICT !

    With The Grace of the Higher Power, I longgggg (& plan) to attend next & every following year’s sniffapalooza events ♡

    I’d MOST love to get my hands on some if the newer Creed for women or unisex scents 😀

    Whether or not I’m blessed to win, MY BEST WISHES & BLESSINGS that EVERY perfumista/fraghead reading this have a lovely weekend !
    BE
    & DO
    WELL everybody *wink*peace sign*

  • Ohh so many amazing perfumers!! I have not been but am grateful for the opportunity to learn about more small houses or ones expanding. I am most interested in Eau de Mezcal, Mystic Sunset and Eau de Billie the most. Looking forward to more Sniffapalooza events…maybe a west Coast? One can hope! Opalbear in California

  • What I enjoyed about the article was each paragraph of description was brief and to the point and there was an accompanying photo. I have never attended an event like this. If chosen I’d want to smell the Santal Park from Kierin NYC. US

  • I’ve only been to the other NYC scent event in person. This sounds like fun as well. I’d love to win some samples. New Jersey, USA

  • I was lucky enough to go to Sniffapalooza over ten years ago, when my perfume journey was just really revving up. I am so happy to see it is back, albeit in a slightly different form. All these sound exciting but I am curious about Harlem Candle company’s new scent, because I love their candles. Also, Kelly and Jones has revamped or eliminated some of their older scents, so I am curious to try their new ones. Thanks

  • Hello NYC!
    Great report. I felt like I was there. From the brands I know Parfums de Marly, D.S and Durga and Boy Smells are my favorites. Been reading a lot about Beach Geeza so that is really cool. I would love to get my nose on Kelly & Jones Mezcal collection. Sounds amazing

  • This looks like such an amazing event, I wish I could have been there! I loved seeing all of Hernando’s photos of all these amazing artists together in one place. Unfortunately I’ve never had the opportunity to attend a Sniffapalooza Fall Ball but I have been to NYC’s fragrance district and really enjoyed my visits to Scent Bar and D.S. & Durga. I’d love to win the sample bag! I am especially interested in trying the new scents from Marissa Zappas and Euphorium Brooklyn. I’m in MN, USA.

  • How amazing to have all that perfume talent in one place! So many fun things to smell and interesting people to speak with. I would love to sniff Eau de Mezcal Collection and IEROFANTE. I’ve wandered the fragrance district but have never been to Sniffapalooza. I’m in the USA. Thank you for for the wonderful report and draw.

  • I have never been to Sniffapalooza, but things are opening up now and this sounds like a lot of fun! Thanks for all the photos and details from the event. I’m especially excited to smell the Beach Geeza scent. I am from the USA.

  • Sounds like a fun event. I know a little about several houses mentioned and I own a few from some of the houses, but many mentioned were new to me. It would be a wonderful day learning about and experiencing all these different products. In maryland.

  • This is the first time I read about Sniffapalooza and it seems totally amazing, an experience I surely won’t miss next year. I am a fragrance lover and I have been to many fragrance events related, and this one surely will be on my to do list next year.
    I loved the experience Hernando had on the event, the photos he took and the brands that took place on the event.
    The brand that i am eager to know is Phoenix Botanical, since it is the first time I read about them and they seem so amazing in their work.
    USA, Virginia here.

  • Thank you Hernando for the detailed description of this dream event for perfume lovers. I was quite drawn in by the description of Mona Maine de Biran’s new fragrance Santal Park – probably the saffron and oakmoss notes mentioned 🙂 I have not yet been to a Sniffapalooza event and think this is a lovely idea if I learn of one close to me – DFW in Texas. ÇaFleureBon has really opened my eyes (nose) to the wide beautiful world of fragrances.

  • Hi! Unfortunately i have never attended a Sniffapalooza yet, some day ibwould love to travel for it (i live in Chicago).
    But i have bern to the Le Labo store in Brooklyn, NY and loved it (we have one in Chicago too).
    If i had the luck if winning this swag bag, i would look forward to the many samples, including a few from fragrance houses i am not much familiar with like DS & Durga.
    Wish me luck!
    I am in the US (Chicago)

  • Wow, this sounds like it was a great event with so many speakers. I didn’t know about Sniffapalooza but am grateful to hear about it here. The review really touches on the joy of being able to have a gathering like this again. I’ve never been to NYC and hope to visit the fragrance district one day. I’m pretty excited to try Phoenix Botanicals Witch’s Feast as it’s a collaboration with a chef and perfect for the season.

  • What an amazing opportunity to take even the smallest part of the sniffapaloosa. The swag bag.
    Maybe one day I will be able to attend. But for now I can live vicariously through these wonderful descriptions.
    Right now DS and Durga is my favorite.
    Oklahoma USA

  • This would be a dream come true to be able to attend. I have never been to NYC fragrance district (despite living in upstate NY for 5 years) or sniffapalooza unfourtuantly. I hadnt got into collecting fragrances at the time i lived in NY but boy do i wish i had of been! I love that Hernandos report fills me in a little and give us a little sneak peak into upcoming exciting new releases and perfumes i had never heard of before. I am really excited to try Mystic sunset and Trendencites food and beverage inspired fragrance and cosmetics that will be coming out as im a gourmand lover!

  • wallygator88 says:

    This was such a great writeup, Hernando that I feel a twinge of jealously for not being a part of this event!

    I really enjoyed reading about Euphorium Brooklyn, since he’s one of my favourite perfumers. I love his brand and his eccentricity shows through his creations.

    I have not attended this event before and would love to get my nose on Phoenix Botanicals offerings.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • I have never been to a Sniffapalooza or NYC, and this guided tour was awesome! It was really nice to hear snippets of the presentations of some of the big names I’ve been following in perfumes and to get an idea of the new things coming out. Phoenix Botanicals is not one I’d heard of before but I”m off to check them out!

  • I’m glad some large gatherings are starting to become manageable again and that Sniffapalooza could happen this year, even if just for one day. Some of the highlights in your report that caught my attention were Olfactory NYC’s personalized fragrances, Marissa Zappas’s Redamance historical portraits, and K&J’s ode to agave fields and mezcal distilling. It sounds like this was a fun and informative event. Thanks for the coverage, Hernando.

    I’m in the CON USA. I haven’t attended any Sniffapalooza events or been to NYC’s fragrance district. I’d absolutely love to try K&J’s Eau de Mezcal Collection—I love the complex smell of craft spirit production (especially Islay scotch).

  • foreverscents says:

    Despite some shutdowns due to the pandemic, it is always a joy to sample, sniff, and shop for perfumes in New York City. It is also always a joy to read these type of roundup reports. I would very much like to attend an event like this in the future. I am very excited to try Billie from the Harlem Candle Company. I love listening to Billie Holiday and would love to wear this fragrance while I play my old jazz records.
    I live in the USA.

  • Regis Monkton says:

    I fantasize about having a shopping/sampling spree at NYC’s fragrance district, but I have to recover from a neurological problem first. I’m most interested in trying Amouage “Opus XIV Royal Tobacco”. I found Hernando’s article to be informative and I hope to try all of the fragrances which he got to try. Also, I hope to attend events of that nature in the future. I live in MD, U.S.A.