2008 in Review and looking at 2009

We’ve done our Best of 2008, but 2008 in perfume was more than just coming up with the best perfumes.  What did we get this year?  Scads of new releases, many of them pretty awful, some of them that were okay, some that were good but overpriced, and a few that were really great.  Considering there were hundred of releases, it was disheartening to see so few that were great.

I’ve been thinking a lot about which of those released this year will endure and become classics.  When I think classics, I think those perfumes that will be around and selling well in five years.

This is my prediction for the niche/mainline perfumes that I think will make that cut from 2008. My opinion is not necessarily based on the genius of the perfume or its merit.  It is based on the line it comes from, its marketing, name, etc.  We’ll see how good my crystal ball is in a few yars.

  • Chanel Sycomore – Chanel brand and a great scent
  • Chanel Beige – ditto
  • Chanel No. 5 Eau Premiere – ditto again
  • Comme des Garcons Stephen Jones – I may be wrong on this one, but it’s my hopeful pick, and the packaging may be enough to help it along into a mainstream breakthrough.  One mention/picture in Allure or a star’s interview should do the trick
  • Creed Love in Black – The name, the name, the name. The juice is perfectly fine, and I like it on me a lot, but it’s not a classic just based on the juice, it’s the Creed name and the image the name of the perfume invokes.
  • Prada Infusion d’Homme – Prada, guys, nonoffensive, what’s not to love here?
  • Ralph Lauren Notorious — not sure why exactly, but this one just seems to have some legs to it, though I think the actual perfume is a little bland.  I think the name will drive sales on it and make it one of RL’s bestsellers
  • Van Cleef  & Arpels Feerie — I like this scent well enough, but I think that bottle captures attention and will drive its sales/popularity for quite a while

Now, looking ahead to what’s out there for 2009, these are the things I’m most looking forward to sniffing and believe, based on my very cloudy crystal ball will be great:

  • Annick Goutal Un Matin d’Orage (Feb)
  • Serge Lutens Cellophane thing (Jan)
  • Hermessence Vanille Gallante (Jan)
  • Monique Lhullier
  • Two new CdGs, Daphne Guinness and Jun Takahashi
  • Bond Brooklyn

Hmm, that’s a pretty short list for 2009.  So what’s on your list for classics for 2008 and what you think will be big and great in 2009?

  • Pikake says:

    Forgot to mention that I cannot wait for Annick Goutal Un Matin d’Orage to arrive!! I am dying to see what AG does with champaca:-ss

  • Shelley says:

    Bond is hopping over to Brooklyn? Hunh. Umpteen scents for the Island Manhattan, and one for the nation’s 4th largest city. Real estate prices are up, but some of the attitude remains. (Unless later they change their minds, and hit neighborhoods. Would love to hear the artistic script for Red Hook and Flatbush…)

    Well, now, I see that Eau Premiere after all…it does deserve some love.

    I like your calls & rationale for the classics of the future…and I am sad for my Guerlain. Hopefully, good in the future??? Don’t mention Dior…I just tried Diorella for the first time, and pitter pat went my little green heart. Which means another little heartbreak over reformulation. 🙁

  • March says:

    You know what bugs me a little about this? Where’s Guerlain? Caron? Dior? Givenchy? Where are the classics from houses other than Chanel?

    • Musette says:

      Weird……..because I was wondering that m’self! IMO, Guerlain has not kept apace with Chanel in terms of turning out quality new releases – I’ve gone so far back in time with Guerlain that I might as well be carrying a parasol!

      And Dior owes us, Big Time, too!!! Wouldn’t it be great if they had the stones to really revisit the types of scents that made them great???

      xo >-)

  • Kristy says:

    How can we leave out Sensuous or Private Collection Amber Ylang Ylang? My picks are almost identical to yours, otherwise – but I would add Fleur de Liane. I’m looking forward to Zizan, the new CdGs, Caron L’Astrolabe, and Zac Posen.

  • Marina says:

    Totally agree with the choice of Beige and Love in Black. Especially Beige. And am also curious about the new Monique Lhullier.

  • Pikake says:

    Can you believe the only scent I’ve tried from your list Patty is Infusion D’Homme? And I do enjoy that one a great deal….DH got it as a prezzie from me for Hannumas (we do both in our house).

    One of these days I will try Stephen Jones and Sycomore. I hope my beloved Perfume House gets SJ soon. They carry the full line of CdG, so they should. And I just might need to break down and buy a decant of the Sycomore!$-)

  • the_nose says:

    Sycamore was a top notch vetiver. Smoky, slightly peppery with sweet undertones – wow! Unlike Guerlain, Chanel have maintained the slick quality in their private line.

    Love in Black was one of the finest iris+violets combos in recent history – plus its loaded with quality ingredients to boot (high quality iris, cedar and rose are in abundance) and unlike some of the Creed EDTS from the 1950s and 60s, it evolves and changes overtime – very happy with this!!

    I also loved CdG Hinoki .. a linear wood, but what high quality wood it is !