I have always been a very dramatic, as in performative, kind of person. My nickname as a child, bestowed by my father, was Sarah Bernhardt. Always living in worlds far away from the one I actually lived in, books at that time were the way I became a global citizen. It was early on that I began to imbue clothing and other objects with magical powers that could take me into lives I could only daydream about. Perhaps it had something to do with my very glamorous grandmother who I have written about before, bringing me beautifully carved jade or colored glass perfume bottles from her travels to Europe and Asia. Her signature scent was Worth, owing its’ pedigree to the Paris couturier, Charles Frederick Worth, who also happened to dress Sarah Bernhardt. So I think that is why I always think of perfume as having the qualities of a magical potion like the one that Alice in Wonderland drank so she could enter a beautiful garden.
Recently, thanks to my amazing good fortune since I began this project, I made my first “real” visit to Paris after visiting often through novels and beautiful editorials. Staying in a hotel right next door to the original Chanel store (complete with Coco Chanel’s apartment upstairs), I was also footsteps away from rue Saint-Honoré. In some of the rare free moments I had, I wandered along passing perfumery after perfumery from Fragonard to EX NIHILO to Le Labo, actually a brand from New York. I was curious about Le Labo because their cult fragrance Santal 33 can be detected all over New York on persons and in the lobbies of hotels and in stores. Although I found it a compelling, engaging scent, my oppositional nature made me not buy it for the simple reason of not wanting to be like everyone else. So when I came upon the Le Labo shop in Paris I went in to find out if they were more than a one trick pony.
I was greeted by an engaging young man who explained to me the history of the perfumery (which is an interesting one and a story for another day). He went on to talk about each of the lesser known scents and my attention was caught by the one named Another 13, which mimics the scent of paper and is a preferred choice for those who like to write regardless of what gender you prefer to be. The name Colette was mentioned as a muse, and I was immediately drawn to this scent as writing is what I am doing or trying to do well these days. Immediately I was transported back to those childhood moments where just like a director I would create the scene that let me become the person I wanted to become. Consequently, given my current agenda, Another 13 seemed to have a sign that said “Buy me”, rather than “Drink me” as Alice’s magic bottle did.
I watched as a woman named Yacine, a trained lab technician, (and yes Le Labo means the lab), followed a protocol of a strict set of instructions that concocted Another 13 and made me my own personal bottle of magic. Marked, made in Paris France, 25/09/18, it traveled home with me to New York and I have not taken it out until today, a day ironically where I struggled with feeling uninspired when it came to my writing. As I started to write this post and do some research, I found that Another 13 was actually a collaboration between Le Labo and Jefferson Hack, the publisher of AnOther Magazine which those of you who tune in for my Weekend Fashion Bibliography know is one of my most oft featured magazines. In fact, many of the reviews of Another 13, suggest it smells just like a newly opened, freshly printed magazine.
So that really nailed it for me, I will be spritizing it on every time I open my computer in hopes to become the writer I always wished myself to be.
Do you have a “magic potion” that helps you be who you want to be?
Your such a creative writer and muse. Over the years; living in Alaska, I have found some tiny swamp flowers that have amazingly beautiful aromas. You have given me renewed energy to get a perfume kit and extract their magical essences. I will send you samples if you are interested?
My mother’s scent was Joy, and as soon as its complex essence of flowers reaches my nose I’m transported to another time and place. What a gift is an olfactory memory! Mmmmmmm
I am most drawn to the places between things and combinations that surprise so it seems odd that the scent that compels me is wild rose, unadorned. Takes me not to a place in time but to a timeless place.
Though I have stayed away from perfume in the past, so not to offend others, I have decided to search for my Magic potion. You continue to inspire me. What a great way to start today.
I am glad to hear you had an interesting time in Paris. Paris certainly has seduced me !
I love perfume, especially the old Guerlain parfumes like Nahema, Apres l’ondee or L’heure bleu. I put them on according to my mood or what I am doing. They all make me feel good in their own way. Ruth, London
Your posts are always exquisitely written and inspirational. Following you is a bit of a "magic potion."
I love the idea of perfume that smells like paper. I think it would be wonderful to have one that smells like freshly-sharpened pencils as well, a dab of one behind one ear, a dab of the other behind the other ear.
I’m thrilled that you made it to the "real" Paris. Imaginations go far, and thankfully it seems like the real thing did not disappoint. What an adventure.
My recent "magic potion" is actually a piece of wood. It is Santo Palo wood. I am in love with the scent. I keep a piece in my purse and reach for it often. Paris sounds amazing!!
Ah, perfumes-fascinating topic!. I used to be a Worth user but that brand has lost its way. I’m still looking to find a fragrance that I truly love, although one needs to be cautious these days-so many people with allergies, it makes me a little nervous to wear fragrance in public places. I do however plan to go once to Grasse in Provence and have a fragrance made for me. I hear that it’s quite an experience.
I am new to your blog and love what I see and read! I too am inspired by fragrance and found my signature scent while in Paris several years ago. I use Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle. For a long time, I couldn’t find it in the US, but now there are Frederic Malle boutiques in many cities and large department stores like Barney’s and Saks. so many people like this scent, and ask about it, I started carrying samples to give out!
I saw your blog in the must follow fashion blogger and here I am. Loving the post! Bookmarked!!
what is brand name of that bag ?
Le Luggage de Céline 🙂
You are such an inspiration, thank you !
I’m 66 years young, have trouble with weight, I will like to know if you help large women look their best .
Thank you
Mari from California
hy Dear,
This is really very nice post you shared, i like the post, thanks for sharing..
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I’m one of those for whom traditional perfumes can be migraine triggers, so the scents I love and make a point of having with me are less concentrated. The aroma of lilacs takes me back to my father’s garden. I would joyfully wear that to the ballet; cedar would be my choice for a winter celebration; baking bread for one of those days when it’s hard to get up.and moving. And why doesn’t someone make a perfume that conveys the wide open eyes of Darjeeling tea?
I get headaches from traditional perfumes; so I’ve been pursuing research on creating your own scent from natural essential oils.
I’m wondering why essential oils( unless laid on to thick) don’t effect me like perfume. This sensitivity developed much later in life; I use to love Chantilly back in the old days.
I am new to your blog and love what I see and read! You got me ?
You are an inspiration of creativity! I am age 52 and always told that I am old and over with for reasons of prejudice though am an x-model to NYC, got smarts too, and I am with a love of the arts always.
It is not just fashion that you have kept but to unafraid to parade then share! Good for you girl! Loving it! ……. and giving thanks.
Take care.
Many years ago when I was oblivious to smelling and looking divine, my gorgeous and elegant sister-in-law gave me two tiny bottles of perfume-both by Weil. They were Antilope, and Zibeline. I fell in love immediately with them. Both bring back tender memories of youth.
The long, oversized mac, oversized bag and hug earrings perfectly oppose your short hair and slim figure. The mac is the perfect cover-up for anything, it can easily envelope your big, baggy A-line shirt.
On my twelfth birthday I was given a bottle of Evening in Paris cologne, which brightened my outlook every time I saw it and planted the seed of loving to travel. Years later, strolling along St. Germaine one evening, I knew I was living that inspired little girl’s dream. A couple of years ago I found a bottle just like the one I had then, and keep it in a drawer where I see it often, still feeling the pull of possibilities to come.
My greatest influence was my Aunt Pauline, my mother’s oldest sister, and she wore Worth perfume. I was obsessed with it for years. She was not a beautiful woman like my mother was, but she was so glamorous and my mother was not. Aunt Pauline had beautiful clothes, jewelry, a beautifully decorated home and a love of flowers and a flower garden. When I was 10 years old she gave me a pair of shears and told me to cut some bouquets for the house. I have forever had flower gardens and cut flowers in my home. She was in love with romance all of her life and lived to be 101 years old. I always said that she never aged because she just refused to accept the fact of aging.
A good story gives me a lot of childhood memories. Like any child, perfume reminds me of many dreams. Thanks for your post
Thanks for such a beautiful comment.
What helps me write is opening up a fountain pen and getting out my special paper. The physical act of writing this way slows me down so that I consider and use words carefully and deliberately (at least that’s my goal). It’s also just very enjoyable.
I have been feeling the impulse to journal again using pen and paper, perhaps this is one impulse I should succumb to!
I’m reading this to see where you were thinking last year and it is so timely. My mother is in the hospital so I pulled out the bottle of Youth Dew that she wears, my grandmothers wore and that can take me back with joy to moments celebratory and mundane. Coco has been my scent for years – I like the heavier tones that makes me feel elegant no matter what I’m wearing and just a small amount on my neck lasts the day. My husband uses Ivory soap every day and that scent takes me back to childhood and laundry on the line. I so appreciate you….
and I appreciate you, for sharing such lovely memories.
Your comments about perfume are lovely and evocative. Like yours, my scent is French: Jicky by Guerlain. It was Mme Guerlain’s favorite, and the first modern perfume–two associations that give it further depth, I think.