Just Who is this Elijah, Anyway, part 2

A Fred Segal Tote from back in the day

Well we had an interesting piece of news here in LA- Fred Segal, the last truly LA retailer (that I can think of) has closed. They were here for decades at the corner of Melrose and Crescent Heights (and another store in Santa Monica that I rarely went to) in a funky, ivy covered building that housed individual boutiques and cafes not all of which were actually owned by Fred Segal. They finally moved about 8 years ago to a new location on Sunset Boulevard. That was a move I didn’t understand- the Melrose location was (in my opinion) way cooler, more conducive to foot traffic, with ample parking that was just for them, and had been there long enough that it had become an LA institution. I don’t know if there were economic reasons they moved or what, but they moved just out of Sunset Plaza in a pedestrian-unfriendly piece of Sunset. I guess they thought they’d have foot traffic from the Equinox gym in the same building (I think- I never went there) but I suppose they thought wrong.

While Fred Segal was a part of LA it didn’t hold any particular memories for me. I really wasn’t the target audience, even when I was in my 20’s. I pretty much have never wavered from the topsiders/khakis/levis/polo shirt thing. I did have a moderately unpleasant (if eye-opening) experience shopping there with my now-ex boyfriend and my BFF, who has since died.

My dear, departed BFF

This was in the early 90’s so we were all in our early 30’s. My ex looked (and likely still does) like Antonio Banderas, wore a lot of Versace and sported a shaved head. My BFF was a fabulous black woman who was always perfectly turned out from her Chanel ballet flats to her MAC incarnadined lips. I was my usual pasty, Brooks Brothers shirted self. We had stopped in one of the cafes for a bite and cruised through the perfume section (where I was happiest) when the BF and the BFF decided they needed to check out the second floor and the clothes. Where, we were, to my shock, visibly shadowed by a security guard. Like really obviously. Like “you people don’t belong here” obviously. Now it actually wasn’t happening to me- I even tested it by breaking off and perusing expensive crap far away from them. Nope. He ignored me and stuck like flypaper to them until we left. Which we did, and I never went back. My BFF did because she liked the cafe and the perfume section (and she made a point of dousing herself in something expensive every time she went in there) and, as she explained to me, this was just something that happens to people of color in the states. Which was one of the reasons why she never showed up anywhere less that exquisitely turned out- never mind that she enjoyed being so- put that woman in a Chanel suit and she’s purr like a happy tigress. But unlike me, with my light skin, hair, and eyes, snooty New England accent and inherited Rolex, she felt she couldn’t get with looking like a schlub.

Fred Segal Melrose

The other memory that stands out was attending the first (and I believe only) Sniffapalooza LA, put on by the NY Sniffa people. Which was a wonderful time, except for when a local perfumer who shares a name with an old Cary Grant movie came to our table, was very charming, then stuck us with the tab for his drinks.

I will write that the people at the perfume area were always very nice and the Santa Monica one was even better. Fred Segal, They will be missed. Just not the upstairs boutique, or it’s security guard (who, by the way was not white either)

So now that I’ve bored you rigid with my memories/ Very Special Episode lets move onto more of the scents.

MUSE is “A subtle scent that leaves a less than subtle mark.” Well if you say so. What I get from MUSE is the scent of Vodka. Very strong (very good) Vodka. And all of the talk of ambergris and jasmine doesn’t really tame that. Now it doesn’t smell like someone who HAS been drinking, but it does smell as if someone had a Big Gulp filled with 100 proof Smirnoff dropped in their lap. They say wear it from “the boardroom to the bedroom” but I’m sorry, I wouldn’t wear this and get behind the wheel since I might be wearing it from Booking to Betty Ford.

EAU: “A time capsule of summer nostalgia & the thirst for escapism”. Okay, now we’re talking. This is a delicious blend of iris, bergamot and coconut milk, with a patina of dusty green leaves. Sort of like a little tanning butter and a little Thai food with a smattering of hot lifeguard. I want 100ML of this now.

HIS/HER: “All bases are covered with this signature staple scent in your fragrance wardrobe.” The problem with trying to cover all bases in a scent is that you don’t end up with any one real perspective. It’s pleasant. It’s nice smelling, I can see why it’s the most popular in the line. But testing this after EAU might have done this a dis-service. Reminds me of that old canard: “How you gonna keep them down on the farm when they’ve seen Paree?” Especially if Paree features the US Water Polo team rubbing you down with Hawaiian Tropic while proffering frozen pina coladas and Tom Kha Gai?

WALL STREET says you will be “instantly transported to the hustle of New York City” Well, I don’t know about that. I love New York but it never smelled this good. This is jammy rose with discernible raspberry that quickly brings up oud, saffron, and smoky leather in the base. This is the one that you should wear from the boardroom to the bedroom. I am not sure I need 100ML of this but 50? when is Christmas? Next week?

So, in this week’s batch, two that I liked, one that was okay and one that will make your friends and acquaintances think you relapsed. So far so good.  We will do the other three next week and I won’t even do a civics lesson in that one..

The sample set I purchased from the perfumer for $75. Other sets are available.

Next week: The third and final thrilling entry in the “Who is Elijah?” series! 

Photos: My iPhone, Pexels, and Wikimedia Commons