Last week in NYC, Sniffapalooza’s Salon Series kicked off with very special pairings of fragrance, art, design, and sweet treats! Michigan State Senator Jack Faxon graciously opened his Soho loft to us, sharing tales of his travels and the artifacts he collected along the way. Sniffapalooza’s Karen Dubin matched the artwork to fragrances from her vast collection. And Sherry of Sherry’s Short Cakes offered her interpretation in flavors. An enlightening time was had by all!
Andy Warhol – Bond No. 9, Andy Warhol Series, 2011 Notes: Plum, cypress, citrus, bergamot, jasmine, French labdanum, patchouli, rose, agarwood, olibanum, vanilla, sandalwood, musk Paired with: Painting by Jack Faxon, ‘New York Cityscape’, 1999
Like This – Etat Libre d’ilde Orange, Mathilde Bijaou, 2010 Fragrance designer Tilda Swinton, inspired by influences from her life and the work of the poet Rumi. Notes: Yellow mandarin, pumpkin accord, ginger, immortelle, Moroccan neroli, rose de Grasse, vetiver, Paired with: Art Deco chair, inlaid rosewood, 1928
Jaisalmer – Comme des Garcons Series 3 Incense, 2002 Jaisalmer is a city in Rajasthan, India, along the Silk Road. It means ‘Golden City’. Inspired by the Principles of Hinduism. Notes: Incense, cardamom, cinnamon, hot pepper, benzoin, ebony wood, gaiac wood, cedar wood. Paired with: Indian stone sculpture, 10th century
Red Vetyver – Parfums Montale, Pierre Montale Notes: Warm sandalwood, red cedar, patchouli, vetiver, hot spices, black pepper Paired with: Carpet, Sultanabad, Iran, turn of the century
Chembur – Byredo, 2008 Inspired by Byredo founder Ben Gorham’s Indian father. Notes: Bergamot, Amalfi lemon, ginger, incense, nutmeg, French labdanum, amber, elemi resin, musk Paired with: Beaded crown, Yoruba, Nigeria, turn of the century
Timbuktu –L’Artisan Parfumeur, Bertrand Duchaufour, 2004 Part of Duchaufour’s travel series, inspired by the West African practice of Wusulan – concocting a magical healing salve from wild roots, woods & spices. Notes: Green mango, pink pepper berries, cardamon, Karo Kamounde flower, incense, papyrus wood, spices, patchouli, myrrh, benzoin, vetiver Paired with: African Grebo mask (Graybo), latter part of the 19th century
Santal Blush –Tom Ford Private Blend, Yann Vasnier, 2011 Notes: Sandalwood, cinnamon, cumin, fenugreek, carrot seed, jasmine, rose, ylang, ylang, benzoin, Agarbois (Givaudan captive molecule), musk Paired with: Peking glass, 18th – 19th century
Enchanted Forest –Vagabond Prince, Bertrand Duchaufor, 2012 Creative Directors & owners: Zoran & Elena Knezevic, founders of Fragrantica,well-known fragrance blog. Inspired by Russian folklore & fairytales & Russian forests. Hand-decorated packaging by Elena. Notes: Pink pepper, aldehydes, sweet orange, black currant leaf, black currant buds absolute, cassis flower, Russian coriander seed, honeysuckle, rose, carnation, vetiver, hawthorn, rum accord, wine accord, rosemary, fir balsam, amber, oakmoss, patchouli, castoreum absolute, cedar, vanilla, opoponax, benzoin, musk Paired with: Handel reverse-painted tree lamp, American, Meriden, CT, 1910
Eau de Lalique –Lalique, Emilie Copperman & Jean Claude Ellena, 2003 Notes: Mandarin Orange, pimento, bergamot, garden dill, cardamom, lemon, cinnamon, hibiscus, freesia, sandalowood, benzoin, gaiac wood, musk Paired with: Asian celadon pottery, Swankolok (SE Asia), China, Korea, 14th-16th centuries
Sherry’s Short Cakes and their corresponding flavor notes
Jack Faxon, Karen Dubin, Lisa Kwock
Special thanks to Madge DeAngelo for the wonderful images!