Spendies! Scoot! Scurry!
Hoi-polloi is in da house!
Hope Fred likes the bag
by Anita
That’s right, punkins! Bradley Made It Happen. The doors have been flung wide erm… ooched open a sliver to allow your Musette to slither in and sip a glass of something bubbly with M. Malle. Well! And that’s just great. Except……..
……..uh, what if I am supposed to, you know, SAY something to him? Ask him stuff about the line? I used to be really good at that – ’twas I, remember, who blithely compared fans with Herr Lagerfeld, back in the day…but the creator of a groundbreaking perfume house concept!???. What if he asks me why I’m there, as in “cherie, what brings you to this Event?”. Uh……
…..so! I throw open the Doors of Opportunity to you, my vaunted Posse Pals. I have NO idea if I will get past the handshake-and-air kiss stage but I would love to have a couple of questions/comments ready for Frederic Malle, should the occasion present itself. After all, I will be there REPRESENTING YOU! And yes, I will be carrying a killah handbag but let’s face it, Murray can only get me so far and reciting Malle-ku will probably get me thrown out on my ear.
A little help?
If you have wondered stuff about Malle’s Editions, his perfumer choices, his plans for the future, his shoe size….now is the chance to find out if I can find out for you! Throw your comments or questions on here and I’ll gather them all up and see what happens. I hope I can get away with a photo or two and maybe somebody (NOT me!) will get hammered and dance on a table – I promise to report back on the happenin’!
By the way, I’m could be way off-base (yeah, like that could happen) but I wonder if his visit is timed to ooch out a little excitement for his new fragrance Portrait of a Lady by Dominique Ropion??? Perfume Shrine speculates it might be a Gothic Rose – you can read all about it here. I sure hope so – I am a rose lover appreciater, but fussy about them. Une Rose never quite did it for me – I like them a bit gnashier (see why I need some help with the conversation? I simply cannot say ‘gnashier’ to Frederic Malle). But it’s been awhile, hasn’t it? Geranium pour Monsieur, a fave of mine, was the last scent to come out of the House, if I’m recalling correctly – so a new arrival, for women, will be very welcome, indeed!
Looking forward to your comments, questions, suggestions.
Geranium, I must smell you soon!
Your description is emanating all by itself!
‘direct gaze’ old money, well bred, impeccably dressed,
subtle and confident…
He sounds as delicious as his creations. Lucky you, Musette, too!
Power outage FINALLY resolved today! My Mac is back.
Been scanning the comments, seems I’m not the only one who wants to know what
he smells like, and what his entire essence is emanating.
Photo would be nice….. Mals is right on it–and pix of the purse!
maiden – he said he wears geranium pour monsieur. but yesterday, he was nekkid, scent-wise, because he had some scents to sniff later in his hotel room.
his essence emanates “attractive french man with money.” GQ with that french twist that the men over there just have. well, the ones with cash, anyway.
he is slim, maybe 5’10” or 11″, and yesterday he wore a nicely tailored suit in a light color. no rings or other noticeable jewelry. medium-brown eyes, direct gaze.
i really like his hair – it’s wavy, and two-toned because he’s going silvery-gold in a really cool way.
p.s. just my two cents (scents?) but if you want to interview him for an article, just introduce yourself, and ask if you could set up a later time for an interview. i wouldn’t try to do it at the event with no set-up.
while he was generous with me today, it was very relaxed, and i told him up front i wouldn’t be writing an article about it.
Wow! Minette, that is wonderful!
I don’t think M. Malle has anything to worry about vis a vis me and an article – while I am vastly interested in how stuff smells I don’t have a heavy-duty journalistic streak (my posts prolly reflect that ;)) My report will be Pure Fluffly Fun, with mebbe just a teeny bit of Real Perfume Info.
But I am delighted to hear that he is so charming and accommodating to his perfume fans – he sounds like a truly gracious person and Murray and I are looking forward to meeting him.
xoxo >-)
pure, fluffy fan – yep, that’s what i’ve become! it feels good. i can totally enjoy what i wear – imagine anything i want about it – without having to think too hard about it. it’s very relaxing.
i think you guys will enjoy your encounter with him. he’s really into the art of what he does and an obviously intelligent businessman, so getting positive feedback from people like us can’t be too shabby! look forward to hearing your experience!
i just got to meet him today here in houston. a happy happenstance; i knew he would be here today, but not exactly when. i went in hoping for a report, and got to meet him myself.
he’s (not surprisingly) very nice. he answered all my questions – about the new scent (it’s due out for christmas, he wanted to do something extra-special for the company’s 10-year anniversary, it sounds spectacular, and he says it’s unlike anything else out there), ifra, and other things.
yes, he is deeply involved with the creations. he told me the new one evolved from an aspect of geranium pour monsieur (which he is wearing, although not today as he had scents to review tonight in his hotel room).
hope you get to talk with him. and i kinda wish i still felt like blogging, because it would be a really good article, but i had more fun just enjoying the time with him.
i can’t wait for the new one to launch! the notes he talked about sounded right up my alley. something to definitely look forward to – yippee!
Ask him why Le Parfum de Therese is ever so much better and long-lasting in body lotion.
:o
better than the perfume? reals?
That sometimes happens with Fracas – you know what last ALL DAMN DAY? The powder. Weird, huh?
xo >-)
Is it? Must investigate that one…
A lovely Posse gal gave me a tub of Carnal Flower body butter for my b-day, and it is the bomb. It is just as potent as the ‘fume…heavenly stuff.
I would ask him if you can do an interview of him for the site. That way, you can get all the good questions in, draw his attention to the site, and perhaps establish an “understanding” with him regarding our adoration… :d:x8-|
I will see what I can do. I hope he does realize the depth of our appreciation for what he and his ilk have done for the perfumistas of the world. There are a lot of Malles that don’t thrill me but there is no denying that he has given us an incredible, albeit expensive, gift!
xo >-)
Just imagine him in his speedos.
That would be Pierre G. for me. No, wait…he doesn’t ask me to imagine…
…it’s all good. :)
No, I mean to put her at ease…that old public speaking trick. Speedos is wrong…tighty-whiteys.
No, Speedos is not wrong. It’s better. I…took a wrong turn.
LOL! I’m pretty easy, as we all know from our Haiku guesses, right? (you weasels =))
I’m thinking tighty – but not whitey….maybe those tight satin thingies? =))
xo >-)
Lots of good questions on here for Monsieur Malle… better than anything I came up with for sure. I hope you wear something fabulous.
I dunno….:-?
The leather leggings and the whip?
xo >-)
“Monsieur Malle, thank you for making the world a more beautiful place.”
^:)^
xo >-)
You know, I ran into Mr. Malle in his New York store last summer, and was too shy to say anything at all. He melted into the background when I (a customer) arrived, leaving the shop assistant to talk to me, so perhaps he’s shy as well. In any case, anything you can say will be more impressive than what I did!
Don’t be too hard on yourself – or him! I don’t know about the NY store presence but this trip is Dedicated Schmooze, so I’m sure he will be, if nothing else, at least willing to engage in general conversation. And it’s possible he felt that being part of that selling experience could be more counterproductive than helpful – I know when I am sniffing stuff with an eye to buying, having The Nose (or the Man Behind the Nose – crap! you know what I’m trying to say there) ….it could get awkward. Easy for me to tell Bradley I hate Musc Ravageur like a mongoose hates a snake…but to say it to M. Malle? Mebbe not so much… /:)
xo >-)
No, you’re absolutely right, and I wasn’t offended at all. In fact, I was a little relieved, because I wasn’t sure whether to let on that I recognised him from photographs (might make the poor chap uncomfortable?) and this way I could browse in peace. It must be awkward for him to have people smelling his beloved scents and making facial expressions about them.
Oh yah- Tell us what he smells like????
ha. I know that sounds wrong but you know what I mean!
No, it sounds exactly right 😉
and that was TOPS on my list of ‘things to tell the Posse’ – after all, if you can’t discreetly snuffle a perfumer, who can you snuffle (discreetly)?
xo >-)
Teehee! Yes doll , that’s muh guuurl!
I’d be interested to know if he has a personal favorite among the scent lineup.
Yeah, cheesy. But I have an Inquiring Mind.
Exactly what I was thinking to ask! . . .Or what would he like in his own bespoke fragrance? Has he thought of having one of his perfumers try to create something that would captivate him and make him want to wear it daily?
Just like there are trends in literature, painting, we surely see it in perfumery. . .what trend would M. Malle like to foster/encourage? Who are new voices in perfume that he’d like to see have free reign? (Like directors/actors being asked with whom they’d like to work)
Have fun! This couldn’t happen to a better person. (Bless you, Bradley. . .and I’ll def add another Malle or two when next I head to Chicago–He’s the SA that hooked me on Fleur de Cassie.)
Bradley is a delight, isn’t he? He and Lydia (late of L’Artisan, now repping several scent lines @ Barneys) really enjoy fragrance for its own sake and work hard to help their customers make the best choices for themselves, rather than just selling what’s NEW (“it’s NEW!” – thank Floyd I never hear that as a Reason to Buy from either of them)
I remember spraying something truly b-( on my wrist one time and both of them jumped back, with Bradley saying “OMG! don’t move. Let me get you some toner! Here. Come over to the sink and WASH THAT OFF!”
Gotta love that. Gotta love him.
xoxo >-)
Hey! meant to tell you – LOVE your question. I wonder if there is a Secret Malle Scent, bespoke to him?
At the ‘handshake/air-kiss’ I plan to take a really DEEP drag…(there’s a little >:) in me that’s praying he’s wearing Old Spice) ;))
xo >-)
My money’s on him smiling enigmatically and ……….taking another sip of wine?
xo >-)
That’s a possibility. But it’s possible he MIGHT answer, too…
Wouldja please, pleeeeeeze post a photo of your lovely self at the event? (I think I might like to lust over your purse, at the very very least.)
Darling Mals,thank you for the ‘lovely’. If I can get a decent photo, I will, plus! I will take a photo of Murray – he’s a bit shy but he might come out of hiding for M. Malle.
xo >-)
Well, of course something that intrigues me about Malle is the producer side, as in film: There’s a guy who gives his “authors/auteurs” full credit on every package. And tells THEIR story as well as the individual perfume’s story. Again, in the PR, and right there on every package. Actually, I admire that about him and the line. Sure, it’s his name on the line–as in “the product line.” But the nose is there too.
I guess my question would does he see his hand(s) in the creation of the scents, versus how the perfumer’s hands are in there? And does that vary from perfume to perfume?
Oooh! that’s a good’un, too! There’s a Malle interview on YouTube that I will have to revisit, now that I know I’m going….actually it’s not an interview, I don’t think (no Q&A, if I recall) – if he has not covered this question, if time permits and my pair feel big enough, I would definitely ask this!
xo >-)
Well, don’t you think it would be because when he started the company that was the whole concept? To feature “star” noses? No one cares about the producer of a film, it’s the big-name director who gets his name above the title.
Hey, Carter, I think I would like to hear from him *now* about, these years after the launch, and with the somewhat different application of the producer as personality over at Lutens. The producer vs. director thing is what I’m all about here.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot, ever since coming back from the displays of mini-Kool-Aid, erm, bell jars…but has been on my mind ever since I first started exploring perfume. Which is strange to say, but is what, 3-4 years now? I love that Malle didn’t hold back any “productions” from Stateside enjoyment…though I have to admit, the whole cult/cache thing is reversed a bit on this side of the pond when you go into a Barney’s. Dedicated Malle salesperson, specialized demo required, isolated real estate. Versus the Lutens export bottles, just sitting there on top of the general display case.
Hmmm.
It’s just that in the FM case, that *is* the concept. With Serge, he’s always been the star and an artist in his own right, and he usually works with just one nose to interpret his vision. He has a strong point of view, which is not what I get with Malle, who seems true to his original idea to give the great noses of our time room to run.
I always just assumed that the deal with Malle and Barneys was that they exchanged all of those goodies for semi-exclusivity.
Ask him if he’s a fan of Henry James. After all, “The Portrait of a Lady” is his most famous book. Not a Gothic novel, by the way.
I wonder what he would conjure up for my personal James favorite “The Turn of the Screw” (srsly – I love that novella)…I would want a lot of camphor and wood shavings in it..
xo >-)
Yeah, gothic makes absolutely no sense at all.
Perhaps I should clarify: Perfume Shrine did not say it was a Gothic rose – in fact, I shouldn’t have used the word ‘speculate’ – she QUESTIONED whether it MIGHT be a Gothic rose that folks were questing, given the list of notes.
I probably have made this clear as mud. :(
xo >-)
Sounds like a thrill. If you get close ask a more personal Q. People are often delighted to talk about themselves rather than just “product”. I’d ask something like…”how does working with scents all day change how you experience your day?” or “as a child were there any hints you’d end up in working in this realm?” I dunno. Not that inspired..it’s still early am here….
Cheryl
Well, there’s only 20 or so of us, so the likelihood of ‘close’ is relatively good, I hope!
I suppose ‘hey Fred! How’s it hangin’?’ is a bit TOO personal?
;))
xo >-)
I wouldn’t ask him if there were any hints of him working in perfume, considering his grand-father was the founder of Christian Dior perfumes and his mother worked for Dior as well… He might have done something else entirely of course, but he was pretty much christened with a vat of Diorissimo…
I wish someone would christen me with a vat of (vintage) Diorissimo. Not all at once, mind you 😉
xo >-)
I wish someone would christen me with a big bottle of Krug … is that what I want? You’re the expert.
You want Krug 90. Quite possibly the most perfect Krug of recent experience. For reals.
Perhaps they will serve Krug 90.
Perhaps Carter’s and your squirrels will fly through the window, bearing said Krug, because that’s prolly the ONLY way that’s gonna happen – but a gal can dream, can’t she?
xo >-)
Carter, you, I and the squirrels will get krugged.
Carter, I’m wearing my Dahlia for the ceremony.
Did you find it or give up and go out and buy a new one? PS you can’t put lipstick on a squirrel.
I hereby christen you Quing wid a bottle of Quoog!
I invited Anita to the krugging.
and She will Be There.
And be Square.
xo >-)
All I want to know is when in the name of god is he finally going to make an amber for me?? Dangit!
Well, now, see….I can ask him that, can’t I!
It’s on the list o’ questions!
xo >-)
Am LMAO at my little avatar monster, who perfectly depicts my tone here.
I love your tone. You are a Perfumista. I defend your right to demand a particular Note.
[-(
xo >-)
Good luck and have fun, Musette!! I bet he’s such a charmer, you’ll never be at loss for words.
But I do have a question, if for the gods, rather than M. Malle: Why make a *rose* fragrance the one attached to the title of my favorite book *and* release it in my birthday month. No fair! I can’t even get excited, roses end up smelling so hideous on me. And I want the bottle for the name alone. Crying tears and tears and tears.
Time to douse myself with Carnal Flower!
Darling, with all those things going for it – who’s to say this isn’t The One for you? Time (and the release) will tell. I think it debuts in November, which is my winter birthday month.
No time for dears, dearest. Time for Carnal Flower, until PoaL comes out, then we’ll see….:-?
xo >-)
I meant “no time for ‘tears’. :((
@};-
xo >-)
Perhaps, perhaps. Incense and patchouli smell great on me–so maybe.
Again, have fun!!!!!!
Incredibly great book, innit? Also Wings of the Dove, which would make a pretty cool name for a perfume, too.
Love Wings of the Dove, too! And Ambassadors. And others. I :x Henry James.
By the way, just scored my bottle of Fatale Rouge at Nordstrom’s. Can’t wait to put it on!
Have you seen the movie, starring Helena Bonham Carter? Liberties were taken, but it’s really good anyway.
Wearing FR on me toesies!
Oh….one thing I’ve wondered is ….does Candace Bergen wear Carnal Flower?
😕
xo >-)
why CF? did he commission it with her in mind? I think of Ms B as more of a Fleur de Cassie type – or maybe I’m channeling Lauren Bacall on that one…yeah, Ms Bacall for FdC. The metal-y bits in CF suit Ms Bergen.
carry on
I think she’s his aunt, or aunt-by-marriage, or some such, and starred in the movie Carnal Knowledge, which I have never had any inclination to see, as misogynistic as it sounds…
I thought the chilly-vs-tropical vibe fairly apropos for her, actually.
Yes, Louis was his uncle, correct? She has that Grace Kelly vibe – Ice Princess who was, by some accounts, pretty..um……:”>
hokay! ’nuff said
xo >-)
Yes, it was all about Candice…Carnal Knowledge.
Candice Bergen is a fascinating and actually very warm and funny woman; she’s also a fairly spectacular photographer. She was married to the great director, Louis Malle, who was Frederic’s uncle.
so…..would you categorize her as Carnal Flower (the perfume)?
xo >-)
Perhaps you should arrive on a Percheron. He’ll hear about it and ask YOU questions? Seriously, what an exciting opportunity. If you can handle the guys in your line of work, you can handle M. Malle.
😮 can you imagine? A showy 6-hitch, pulling up to Barn’s? Yowza! That would bring him out to the street, wanna bet? Of course, it would make more sense to do that for Mathilde Laurent’s new Cartier IV but any excuse to show up with a 6-hitch would be good enough for me. Damn shame I can’t handle a six-hitch…yet.
xo >-)
I get too self conscious and end up saying something inane in these kind of situations. I can’t wait to hear what you think about Portrait of a Lady – I like a ‘gnashier’ rose too so I hope it fits in that category.
Doll, Inane is my middle name! I’m hoping there will be no opportunity for me to embarrass the Posse overmuch – he looks to be charming enough to diffuse any sort of moronicals I might dream up. [-o< xo >-)
Wow, Musette! All the others have great question; I just wanted to say congratulations! And that I can’t wait to hear your report.
Thanks! I can’t wait to report back – maybe with photos!
And a squirrel (for March)
xo >-)
The squirrels are MINE.
And I will have one for you, too, darling! Yours will come first! Carrying a hellafiedhellahandbag!
;)
xo >-)
Oooh, you lucky girl, you!! If all else fails, you could always hit him with the old faithful: “Monsieur Malle, in what direction do you see the art of perfumery moving within the next five years?”
Seriously, though, have a wonderful time — it couldn’t happen to a nicer perfumista!!
You put me to the blush. :”>
thank you! I can’t wait to report back!
xo >-)
Just enjoy yourself! Should be a lovely event indeed. I met the legendary Jean-Paul Guerlain the other week (and also Thierry Wasser)and had no problem talking to them. Go with the flow and you will be just fine.
I had heard that some of the perfumers M Malle uses were retiring, but you might not want to go there….
Yes, I think it would be wise to steer clear of that! Actually, I’m very much looking forward to the event. I spent 20 years doing this very thing (mostly fashion and interior design) and in general it’s usually fun just to hang out and chat. But Posse needs come first – hence the Q&A.
Is JPG as charming as I assume he is? He has that delightful combination of chemist and bon vivant. Thierry Wasser…we won’t even go there. He looks to be Elegance Personified. I dated a French banker (30 years ago) – my best clothes came from that era…
xo >-)
Instead of ‘gnashier’, you could say toothsome,or I like rose with a bigger bite! Ask him if he ever ‘re-visits’ formulae to tweak them to new IFRA standards. This is what my father would call ‘lighting the blue touchpaper’! Stand back and wait!!
What? You don’t think he would appreciate ‘gnashier’? ;))
xo >-)
and suddenly my emoties are gone. :-w
xo >-)
I LOVE “gnashier,” myself.
😡
Ask him how he chose his roster of perfumers. Did he reach out to some he didn’t know and admired, or were these all people he’d worked with and felt close to? Is he planning to reel in other people?
On another note: Portrait of a Lady… I’ll have to wait until I’ve worn it a few times to write about it. It’s extremely different from Une Rose. I wouldn’t call it Gothic.
Denyse – excellent questions, thank you! You have PoaL? I hope there are samples (or at least testers) for us to try – I’m looking forward to it. I spritzed Une Rose last night, just to reacquaint myself with what I like/don’t like about it – and it’s still what it was at the first intro: awkward on application, lovely in the middle…and not that interesting (AT ALL) on the drydown. Just a little too linear for me, though it is true to its name, 12 hours later…
xo >-)
ARE YOU FO REALS!!!! Wow.
I have no idea what to guide you into saying so you don’t look like a noob. How exciting! How amazing. And truth be told – ( at least for me it would be anyway)- wonderfully awkward.
IDK what to tell you.
Have a blast! Oh don’t get too lit on champagne. ;)
Don’t drool.
If he’s as charming and erudite as everyone says he is it will be all I can do not to fold him up and put him in my capacious handbag! I’m a little short on ‘charming’ these days – and erudite? 8-| So! In the bag you go, Fred!
It’ll be fun!
xo >-)
Wow, what a coup, I am in serious envy mode over here!
I have heard that Monsieur Malle is a real sweetheart, so don’t get too nerved up over it! Just be your own wonderful self.
You could ask him if he lets the perfumers have total free rein over what they create, or does he have a theme in mind and then choose who gets to do it, and if so, within what parameters? He’s probably heard that one before but if he really is that nice he won’t mind answering it again.
Or, how about this one: Was Carnal Flower a chance to let Dominique Ropion redeem himself artistically with no restrictions on materials, since he also did Amarige? I have to assume that Amarige involved a perfume brief and budget that did not allow for the kind of quality he has become famous for.
Oh, and one more thing – can you have dear Frederic FedEx me a Jeroboam each of Carnal Flower and En Passant, there’s a good girl. :-D
The funniest part about this is I generally do not talk about perfumers or even the notes in perfume – if you think back to my posts (no, don’t – it’s painful) my focus is so off-the-wall that it’s almost non-perfumey. Colors, feelings, horses…that sort of thing. So I have to be careful. What is indulged here on the Posse is probably NOT what I should reveal to M. Malle – at least not at first meeting, ya know?
But it will be fun – I’m mostly going so I can report back to y’all. And wear a nice outfit. Something that doesn’t have corn dust on it – not that I don’t LOVE corn dust (it’s how I make money to buy perfume, after all)…and a pair of shoes with heel! Murray is very excited!
xo >-)
I don’t know… I’m thinking Mr. Malle may find your off-the-wall, non-perfumey approach quite refreshing and endearing… as we all do.
And meant to say.. have a wonderful time! I can’t wait to hear the after report.
😡
xo >-)