Hey Posse, One of the very cool things about writing perfume is that I get to go to the major launches each year for Libertine Parfumerie (the distributors) and Elysees Collective (their promoters). Last month it was the Spring/Summer releases. Some we are behind the Northern Hemisphere and some we are same. So having not travelled over the equator since 2020 I’m a bit behind on what is what. Nevertheless, It’s really fun to find out what the crew are getting in. They have an enormous product range that keeps expanding. So here are a few of the fragrances that really stood out for me in the line up.
Also, the Libertine crew have a brand new showroom! It’s similar but bigger and easier to navigate. These two pics are from their Press Pack but were so much nicer than mine.
Libertine Spring/Summer 2022 Launch
Here are the new releases we were given sniffs of. A couple are still under embargo so we got spritzes from decants, that was very cool.
My favourites from the group include these. We must be aware though that I smelled them quickly as they were spritzed and now I’m working from memory with blotter strips and notes.
Floris Platinum 22
To commemorate QEII’s Platinum Jubilee for a 70 year rule. I was surprised they went this way, expecting more of a super powdery pastel adventure. Nope. Iris, black pepper and woods play lead roles and everything else kind of hangs of this triumvirate.
Maison Crivelli Patchouli Magnetik
Quentin Bisch created a peachy white floral drizzled delightfully over patchouli and vanilla. If you are after a 1970s retro head shop patch then you’ll be furious. This is patchouli for the rich and arrived. Super classy and beautifully blended.
Memo Iberian Leather
Memo and leather, they seem to have cornered the market in high end offerings. So many of their leathers are gorgeous. Sicilian Leather is another I love. Iberian Leather made my nose and brain sit up and beg for a bottle. A real kitchen sinker of a fragrance, it has the works. Stand out notes are saffron, clove, vanilla and a herbal rosemary/coriander/iris all over an osmanthus rich leather.
Montale Aqua Palma
This was the Press Bottle the Libertine gave me. I’m not going to lie, seeing other people walk out with Memo, Crivelli, Miller et Bertaux and Matier had me seething with jealousy. Yep, I’m ashamedly that guy. BIG SURPRISE though. Aqua Palma is lovely. A spicy and herbal peach/citrus juice top over a sweet woody vanilla rich amber base. Within three hours it’s a soft wash of better that me skin scent, quite sexy, that lasts hours. One of the less bombastic Montale offerings and completely unisex. It’s going to be a big hit over the upcoming summer months here. Smells ripper on Jin, the spices really pop on him.
Trudon Alabaster Candle
Let’s talk divinely delicious luxury. Edited from the brand: Sculpted in Spain out of a single block, the containers and matching tops are one-of-a-kind: the alabaster veins are unique. Minimal aesthetic, a gold shield label.
You have no idea how beautiful these containers are until you hold one. The decadence and waste of hollowing out the stone to create a candle vessel beggars belief. They are refillable though with any of the beautifully scented waxes from the 400+ year old candle makers. Expensive but not heart stoppingly. If you buy this as a gift you are either so rich it’s pennies or you are making a statement of your love and devotion (family, friends or lovers). This was one of the Press Gifts I got in my goodie bag, a bloody stunning item and I’m too in awe to light it up.
So here are the goodie bag scores. Claus Porto Hand Cream, Montale Aqua Palma, Trudon Alabaster Candle.
These are some more pics of the ranges. A snippet of their overall brand list. A few of these brands I’ve not even heard of. Seriously need to take a day and get my nose down there to understand what’s going on in the wide world of fragrance.
See anything you like, or have or loathe?
Portia xx
Maison Crivelli Magnetik Patchouli
A beautiful peachy white floral developed by Quentin Bisch is drizzled over patchouli and vanilla. If you’re looking for a classic head shop patch from the 1970s, you’ll be incensed. This patchouli is for the affluent and established. really elegant and masterfully mixed.
this is my favourite.
Thank you
Oh, this sounds like SO MUCH FUN! I think I smelled that Memo Iberian Leather and liked it! Also oh my goodness that candle, I bet it is absolutely gorgeous, I want one but it’s definitely NOT in the budget right now (less sexy medical and car expenses are the current priority.) I hope you are having a great time on your trip. Xo
MARCH! It really is fun and would have been even better with you by my side.
TBH, with all this beautiful travel Jin has organised for us this and next year my perfume budget has taken a beating. Not complaining. Were I not given a press candle there’s very little chance I’d have come up with the cash for the Trudon myself.
South Korea with Jin’s family has been fabulous.
Portia x
I also at first thought this was referencing new releases from Canadian perfumer Libertine! I admire their perfumes. However, Libertine perfume boutique looks fabulous, I wish there were such a shop near me to sample new releases, the showroom looks gorgeous. Envy! Enjoy your sampling Portia! xoxo
Hiya Kathleen
Looks like I might need to get sniffing this new Canadian brand too. If you like their work I think that’s a pretty good indication. Thanks.
Yeah. Being on the importer and distributor lists is wonderful. That they’re so generous is a big thing too.
Portia xx
Wow, that candle is seriously posh! I would have been jealous too, Montale would not have been my preference, but at least you like the scent. Lucky you getting invited to these events, looks like fun!
HA! TaraC, the Trudon candle is P O S H!
I think you might like this Montale. It’s a very nice scent.
Portia x
Had a bit of a brain freeze reading first para, as I’d seen a review of Libertine Perfumes (Canadian company) this morning. Clearly, not the same. Anyway, the Maison Crivelli sounds amazing (and the house is even available in the UK) and the that candle … wow. Very generous to be gifting such a thing. Great CS but I hope the company does something with the hollowed out interior of the candle holder. What does the candle smell like?
Hey Cinnamon,
You definitely need to get your sniffer on some Maison Crivelli. They are good.
The Trudon candle. Honestly I haven’t opened mine to smell what fragrance I got. The one we smelled in the launch was a rich orange blossom and incense. Super glam.
Portia x
What a gorgeous showroom — like a temple to scent! That candle is Amazing, Portia! I can just imagine how gorgeous that would look on a coffee table in your lounge, though. So classy.
Hi DinaC,
I’m going to pass on all the showroom love to Nick, the owner. He’ll be pleased.
Oh yes, the Trudon candle is so bloody gorgeous! Worth every cent, but it sure is a lot of them.
Portia xx
I’m just swooning over that curved space!
Hey Alityke, yes, the room looks so good and delightfully curvy.
Portia xx
Very cool, and great swag! I think Montale is seriously overlooked and doesn’t get anywhere near the love they deserve. Not sure if this one would float my boat (I like a peach in my hand, in a pie, even in a daiquiri, but in a scent not so much usually- Mitsouko being the exception) but the line is great. Kindsa jealous!
Fully agree that Montale is an overlooked house Tom. Their enormous output and bro fan base put a lot of people off. Definitely worth taking the time to sniff some of their stuff.
Peach is a pretty good note for me in perfume but I don’t ever think it’s photo realistic, more a push in that direction. Femme is another peachy fave of mine.
Ha! Don’t be jealous.
Portia xx
I need to get out more. I never know about the “Bro” fanbase- I heard that about another brand just recently.
It’s a big deal for the brands Tom. Hitting bro culture is always good because dick swinging on spend, haul and newness are a big part of it.
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