September editorial - news from our perfume studio
Wanderlust flavours
I went on my late summer hols in September to Georgia and Armenia - fascinating histories, good food and wine - what wonderful places to discover.
Hiking in the fresh air of the Caucasus was the perfect tonic after a very packed couple of months launching our new Gulf Collection parfums - which are proving to be a hit
A recommendation
I fell in love with Georgia's Borjomi mineral water - sparkling with a mineralic tang and salty-sour flavour profile. Quite possibly one of those 'love it or hate it' tastes - but I'm now hooked- and the good news is that it is available outside Georgia. In the UK, for example, you can find it online with Borjomi Naturally Sparkling Water Glass Bottle 12 x 500ml – Aqua Amore Limited )
What I've been wearing
Here in London autumn is upon us. And my subconscious keeps making me reach for our Abu Dhabi scent. One spritz and I feel warm and golden. It feels like I'm warding off the darkness of winter. It's also currently our top seller around the world - just ahead of Istanbul and Los Angeles. For me, the character of this perfume comes from its neo-vintage style, a modern take on woody-spicy classics, like Bel Ami from Hermès or Antaeus from Chanel
Did you know that when we talk about 'notes' in perfumes, we're referring to the evolution (and evaporation) of the composition.
Top notes are your first impression - but they're fleeting pleasures.
Then comes the heart - typically lasting for the first couple of hours.
Then the base ( or 'drydown'), which will last 5-7 hours, depending on the materials we're using.
Abu Dhabi Eau de Parfum - tasting notes
Top: the scent opens with cypress, pink pepper, peppermint, rosemary, cardamom
Mid: the heart of this perfume is composed around clary sage, saffron, geranium and iris / orris root
Base: the drydown, with its beautifully memorable sillage, evocative of the desert breeze, is constructed with cedarwood, patchouli, soft leathery notes and musks
We now have 8ml travel sprays as well as 10ml roll-on perfume oils in this fragrance
Armchair travel - a recommendation
The Finest Hotel in Kabul: I read this book while away travelling - written by veteran BBC journalist Lyse Doucet.
It tells the story of Afghanistan's tragic history through the lives of the staff and guests at the iconic Intercontinental Hotel.
Fascinating and moving - it's beautifully told and reads like a novel. I learnt so much about this country and its resilient people. Her brilliant storytellling transported me across continents and decades
And for a taste of the dreamy beauty of the Silk Road ... discover our unique Bukhara perfume
Wishing you all the best for this autumn. Thanks as always for your custom and support,
Laura, NYC, USA
"Exploring your new Gulf Collection ... fascinating to smell - elegant departures from the norm"
