NEWS! Portia Now Writing for My Perfume Samples!!

Well APJ,

Here is an exciting development. Over the last while My Perfume Samples and I have been nutting out a wonderful deal. I will now be writing for them every fortnight for 3 months to see how it goes! It’s a very good invitation and a paid gig. Already before we started talking about my coming to write for them I liked the site a lot and use them regularly. My Perfume Samples have an incredible stock of mainstream fragrances and are currently adding more and more Mass-Tige (Mass Market Niche). Already included in their online store are such luminaries as Malle, Lutens, Penhaligon’s, L’Artisan, JHaG, Byredo and many others at VERY competitive prices.

Portia Now Writing for My Perfume Samples!!

My Perfume samples logo

For my initial My Perfume Samples piece I decided to look at some Work Safe Fragrances. Perfume in the work environment is becoming more of a minefield and sometimes you just have to suck it up but maybe there is another way. What you want are some good quality, interesting and fun fragrances for work that will fly under the radar and not get you banned for Skunking The Workplace. These beauties across a wide range of styles and price points should be safe bets. The great thing about sampling is that with a 3ml decant you get a real sense of how a fragrance will work on and for you

Top 10 Safe For Work Perfumes

Each fortnight there will be DISCOUNTS or FREE GIFTS and this fortnight the code is for a free gift with orders over $15.
This fortnight’s free gift includes 1 x 3ml atomiser each of 2 featured samples, valued at around $8!

Please jump over to My Perfume Samples and have a look. Leave a message too so I know you’ve been. I can see them but the My Perfume Samples crew still has to OK them.
This is totally exciting for me and I’m really nervous. It’s a big step and My Perfume Samples are trusting me to help them make their online shop the best it can be.

Portia xx

Art and Olfaction Awards 2015

Woo Hoo! Exciting times! The second annual Art & Olfaction Awards has announced its nominees for 2015. I feel so naughty, haven’t sniffed them all yet. Must get onto that immediately.

Have a look through and tell me what you think of their choices.

Portia xx

Institute for Art and Olfaction AWARDS LOGO

Art and Olfaction Awards 2015

PRESS RELEASE

MILAN— The Institute for Art and Olfaction is pleased to announce the finalists for the second annual Art and Olfaction Awards, to be held at the Goethe-Institut in Los Angeles on April 17, 2015.

Two winners will be selected from the categories Artisan and Independent, and one Sadakichi Award for Experimental Scent, a new category added for the 2015 Awards. Each winner will receive The Golden Pear, which has quickly become a prestigious achievement in the perfume world.

The finalists were selected by a group of highly qualified judges from the perfume, art and other industries. The artisan and independent category submissions were judged blindly, presented in generic vials and tracked by a numerical code. The preliminary round judges selected the finalists, and the finalist round judges select the winners.

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INDEPENDENT & ARTISAN CATEGORIES

Preliminary Judges
Ashley Eden Kessler, Brent Leonesio, Daniel Krasofski, Hank Jenkins, James McHugh, Laura Johnson, Neal Harris, Persephenie, Steven Gontarski, Sherri Sebastian, Yvettra Grantham

INDEPENDENT & ARTISAN CATEGORIES

Finalist Judges
Luca Turin, Mandy Aftel, Miriam Vareldzis, Sarah Horowitz-Thran, Sebastian Fischenich

SADAKICHI AWARD FOR EXPERIMENTAL SCENT PROJECTS

Allison Agsten, Bettina Hubby, Dr. Kóan Jeff Baysa, Marcos Lutyens, Mark Allen

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ARTISAN CATEGORY FINALISTS

A City on Fire, by Imaginary Authors
Perfumer: Josh Meyer Portland, USA

Eau de Céleri by Monsillage
Perfumer: Isabelle Michaud Montréal, Canada

Foxglove by DS & Durga
Perfumers: David Seth Moltz + Kavi Moltz New York, USA

Tobacco Cognac by House of Cherry Bomb Perfumers: Alexis Karl + Maria McElroy New York, USA

Woodcut by Olympic Orchids Perfumer: Ellen Covey Seattle, USA

INDEPENDENT CATEGORY FINALISTS

Ombre Indigo by Olfactive Studio
Perfumer: Mylène Alran Paris, France

Boccanera by OrtoParisi
Perfumer: Allessandro Guialtieri Amsterdam, Holland

Pashay by Ray Matts
Perfumer: Christophe Laudamiel New York, USA

Black Pepper & Sandalwood by Acca Kappa Perfumer: Luca Maffei
Treviso, Italy

Skive by Canoe
Perfumer: Jessica Hannah Austin, USA

SADAKICHI AWARD FINALISTS

Catalin
Team: Charles Long, Carrie Paterson, Karen Reitzel, Seth Hawkins, Emery Martin, Michael Mascha
The Contemporary Austin, USA

Chroma
Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Denver Art Museum, USA

Crime and Punishment
Team: Mike McGinley, Charles McGinley, Noah Bremer, Ben Heywood
Minnesota Fringe Festival, USA

Famous Deaths
Team: Marcel van Brakel, Frederik Duerinck, Wander Eikelboom, Caro Verbeek
MOTI, Holland

In Libro De Tenebris
Paul Schütze
Maggs Gallery, England

AWARDS CEREMONY
Invitation Only
Friday, April 17, 2015, 7 p.m.
Goethe-Institut: 5750 Wilshire Blvd. Ste. 100, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Cocktail attire is highly encouraged.

AFTERPARTY
Public with limited attendance.
Register: http://aoafterparty.eventbrite.com
Friday, April 17, 2015 10:30 p.m. (following the award ceremony)
The Institute for Art & Olfaction: 3023 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA. 90020

Armani: The courage to say Sì by Giorgio Armani: Video

Yoo Hoo Crew!

I love this ad. Beautifully shot, the music is perfect both thrilling and calm, the girls are a multicultural mix and all doing stuff that takes courage. I like very much the blend of drama and beauty, so good.

Si by Christine Nagel for Giorgio Armani 2013

Si Giorgio Armani FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Cassis
Heart: Freesia, ,may rose
Base: Vanilla, patchouli, ambroxan, woody notes

Sadly the fragrance is a washout on me but I hope it’s better for you.

Enjoy the advertisement.
Portia xx

The courage to say Sì by Giorgio Armani

Dior A/W 15/16 Show – Raf Simons Interview

Hi there Crew,

I am less taken with this show, Raf Simons does some great and exciting stuff with surreal animal print, fabric uses are interesting and some of the colours are killer. I love the side ponytails and the long plastic boots (which seem to be a favourite of his) but the collection has only rare highlights for me. There is quite a bit of repetition through the DIOR couture and pret a porter ranges and over seasons. It has me wondering if Raf is creating a signature for himself at DIOR or if he is doing a timeline of incremental change?

The reason that he created this show as he did it is much more interesting so I’ve given you the interview today instead of the show. you’ll see enough of the frocks to make your own decisions.

DIOR AW 15:16 ready-to-wear-show DIORPhoto Stolen DIOR.com

I’d love to read what you think about it in the comments,
Portia xx

 Dior A/W 15/16 Show – Raf Simons Interview

Moon Dance GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Hi There APJ Family,

Great turn out for this beautiful scent. Thanks again to the incredible Nick at Libertine Parfumerie for his continuing generosity and support. He does so much to keep niche going in Australia. Please, even if you don’t enter today’s competition, go and have a look at the amazing fragrant beauties that Libertine Parfumerie has for sale, you will be astounded. Lately Nick’s buying power has become so good that some (not all) of his products are the same numerical value as you would buy them for in the USA, that means with the current Aussie dollar that they are in fact 15-20% cheaper!!! AMAZING! Also any purchase over $100 gets FREE shipping within Australia.

Let’s find out who won….
Portia xx

Moon Dance GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Moon Dance Juliette Has A Gun FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Bergamot
Heart: Tuberose, rose, violet
Base: Patchouli

WHAT COULD YOU WIN?

This week we will have 3 winners who will receive:
1 x 10ml decant of Moon Dance by Juliette Has A Gun (from my broken Press bottle)
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DID YOU WIN?

Open to everyone worldwide who follows AustralianPerfumeJunkies via eMail, WordPress, Bloglovin or RSS. Please leave how you follow in the comments to be eligible. I must be able to check that you follow so if you have an email address on your gravatar that’s different to your follow address then please email me so I know. Yes, you can start following to enter, in fact it’s encouraged.

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Tell me a Juliette Has A Gun story or a new fragrance that speaks to you of the past glory of perfumery.

Extra Chance?
Tweet: @OzPerfumeJunkie Moon Dance: Juliette Has A Gun #GIVEAWAY http://wp.me/p3PURw-3H9 #Perfume @signoricci @JulietteHasaGun

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Sunday 15th March 2015 10pm Australian EST
Winners were chosen by random.org

Winners thegarfieldshow-diaryPhoto Stolen thegarfieldshow-diary

SunMiSun (via Twitter)

Willa

Sherry Parker

The winners will have till Thursday 19th March 2015 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Fall-Winter 2015/16 Ready-to-Wear CHANEL Show

Hiya Fashion and Frag Nerds,

I don’t normally put the full runway show on APJ but this Pret a Porter range is VERY interesting. For me the point between gorgeous and disgusting are all filled in. there are some monstrosities but done with the usual CHANEL/Lagerfeld attention to detail and finish which takes them out of the merely awful and into a whole new realm.

We are treated to a wide and varied bunch of textures in this parade, in fact the whole show seems to be about texture more than fashion. Layering, pearls, 50’s suit meets 70s retro and all done in a fabulous arena, LOVED the working cafe idea with baristas and waiters serving the models.

chanel-fall-winter-2015-16-ready-to-wear-decor ChanelNewsPhoto Stolen CHANEL News

When it all goes right though there are some spectacular beauties. Collar treatments, bejewelled aprons, bomber jackets, at the end a fabulous chiffon set, the CHANEL suit is re-imagined and super wearable. I could see a couple of them on my Mum if she was still with us, especially the beige & black shoe. Fabulously thick and bold woven checks, almost an Issey Miyake use of 3 dimensions but all done in classical CHANEL style. The male models that sprinkle the show are also produced beautifully.

I hope you enjoy
Portia xx

Fall-Winter 2015/16 Ready-to-Wear CHANEL Show

CHANEL S-S 2015 Making Of Video

Hey All,

Recently we showed the CHANEL S/S 2015 Haute Couture show. Here is a little snippet of what it took to make those fabulous gowns the 3D extravaganza that they are. If you love seeing some of the tricks behind the scenes then you will be mesmerised by this 2.34 minute video.

I hope you enjoy,

Portia xx

chanel spring summer 2015 haute couture twitterPhoto Stolen Twitter

CHANEL S-S 2015 Haute Couture Collection

CHANEL S-S 2015 Making Of Video

Fragrances of the World 2015: 31st Annual Edition

Hi there APJ Crew,

Every year a new and improved version of our Fragrance Bible is released by Fragrances Of the World. This years cover is the prettiest shade of mint green ever and I can’t wait to add it to my collection. The cover is the least impressive thing about this book though. Michael Edwards knowledge and years in the industry are what makes this so special.

Portia xx

PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Book Launch:

Fragrances of the World 2015

The Fragrance Bible ®

31st Annual Edition

Fully Revised and Updated

In 2014, more than 1600 new perfumes appeared on the market. How to keep track?

Fragrances Of the World 2015 Front Cover Hi Res

Fragrances Of the World continues to be the leading guide for fragrance classification. Universally regarded as the ‘bible’ of perfumery, independent and impartial, unsurpassed in both its research and scope, this is the definitive reference trusted by perfumers, executives, journalists, retailers, collectors and shoppers worldwide.

“For me, Fragrances of the World is more than a guide book,” says Sumit Bhasin, Head of P&G Prestige’s Creative Development team. “It is the reference book for our industry. Michael’s in-depth knowledge combined with the very factual and up-to-date of fragrance references, makes it the go-to guide. Both the book and the online databank are widely used by my team.”

Hanuš Wolf, owner of Burgins Perfumery says “The guide has proved an invaluable sales tool. I introduced the Fragrance Bible as a tool to offer a level of service previously unknown to York, and within the first week alone, the incremental sales more than paid for the Fragrance Bible.”

Michael Edwards 2015

It all began 31 years ago when fragrance expert Michael Edwards created an annual guide to help perfume retailers advise their customers. The book organises perfumes into 14 fragrance families – including Woods, Oriental, Floral, Fruity and Citrus – and even more subfamilies from which to choose. Refreshed weekly the online databank provides current and up to date details on new launches, while the annual guide book is an iconic sales tool with current and historic references at your fingertips.

Around the world people are consulting Fragrances Of the World:

“You wear J’Adore by Dior? Now let’s see. That’s a citrus fruity floral. You should try In Love Again by Yves Saint Laurent.”

“Your enduring favourite is Terre d’Hermès? That’s a crisp woods. Try Spicebomb by Viktor & Rolf.”

“Your signature fragrance is Chloé but would like to try something new for day wear? That’s a classical rose floral. La Fille de Berlin by Serge Lutens is the new one for her.”

More information: Fragrances Of the World

Néroli & Orchidée by L`Occitane GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

Hey Hey APJ!

As always we are thrilled to have been able to host this lavish GIVEAWAY with our super generous friends at L’Occitane. If you haven’t yet then please trot down to your nearest L’Occitane stare, I promise you’ll find something to love.

Portia xx

Néroli & Orchidée by L`Occitane en Provence

GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

Néroli & Orchidée L`Occitane en Provence 1 FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Orange, mandarin
Heart: Neroli, lily of the valley, fig milk, peach
Base: Madagascar orchid absolute, iris, musk

WHAT COULD YOU WIN?

This week we will have 4 winners who will each get:
1 x 75ml bottle of Néroli & Orchidée by L’Occitane (Australians will get a special surprise extra)
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DID YOU WIN?

Open to everyone worldwide who follows AustralianPerfumeJunkies via eMail, WordPress, Bloglovin or RSS. Please leave how you follow in the comments to be eligible. I must be able to check that you follow so if you have an email address on your gravatar that’s different to your follow address then please email me so I know. Yes, you can start following to enter, in fact it’s encouraged.

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Please go to L’Occitane and find me a fragrance and one of its notes. NO DOUBLE UPS!!!

Extra Chance?
Tweet: Neroli & Orchidee    http://wp.me/p3PURw-3E6

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closd Sunday 1st March 2015 10pm Australian EST
Winners were chosen by random.org

winners-are prospectsplusPhoto stolen prospectsplus

Chris Hartnett

Erica Golding (via Twitter)

Katherine Mittas

Jaybee

CONGRATULATIONS! The winners will have till Thursday 5th March 2015 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Miss Dior 2015: Natalie Portman: Mini Movie

Aha! Hey gang,

I was not crazy about Miss Dior really but recently my mate Natalie from Another Perfume Blog (now defunct) gave me some vintage Miss Dior Cherie and I have to admit it rocked my socks off.

miss Dior 2015 Natalie Portman YouTubePhoto Stolen YouTube

As always Natalie Portman is perfect in her role. This time as the grand daughter of the super wealthy. DIOR has done a wonderful job dressing her and the sets.

Enjoy a couple of minutes of pure escapism.
Portia xx

Miss Dior 2015 – The new film (Official Director’s Cut)