Five scents designed to capture five moments in time in concentrations that are so mesmerizing and long-lasting that the creators had to invent their own category to describe them…. This is the description of Atelier Cologne Absolue.

While Atelier qualifies as a pure perfume, the founders of the brand do not believe that the term accurately describes the line. Cologne means citruses, but is not necessarily exclusive to men alone. In addition, Atelier lasts a very long time due to the concentration of the formulas. So to accurately describe this unisex, citrus-based, long-lasting line of fragrance, the brand created its own category: cologne absolue.

Sylvie Ganter always knew deep in heart she wanted to create a line of fragrance, and the dream took ten years to come to fruition. Together with Christophe Cervasel, Atelier Cologne was launched this year and is available exclusively at all Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus stores, or online at www.bergdorfgoodman.com and www.neimanmarcus.com. “It’s a passion for us to make scents that make people happy,” Cervasel states.

“It’s a little overwhelming to have it at the counter today,” Ganter says. “I still have a hard time realizing this is real. It’s great to have a dream and have it become real, but it feels like there is so much more we can do. This is just the beginning.”

Atelier currently features five colognes, each with its own distinct personality: Orange Sanguine, Grand Neroli, Bois Blonds, Trefle Pur and Oolong Infini. This fall, soaps and candles will be added to the line, matching the five current scents, as well as refillable travel sizes of the scents.

A new scent will be added for Spring 2011, as well as lotion and shower gel, but the original scents will not be compromised or phased out in order to make room for new products. “I feel it’s heartbreaking when you fall in love with a product and it goes away. There is no reason for us to stop making them. We have people who like them, and we don’t want to disappoint them,” Ganter assures.

For Atelier, presentation is very important, and the team is excited about their gift design and plans for Fall 2010. They selected a special tone of blue, which they describe as “Venetian blue,” that will be featured on Atelier’s gift boxes and gift bags, along with a leather ribbon.

While each scent has its own characteristics, the collection can be collectively described as clean, classic and crisp, all evoking organic feelings and emotions. Such quality can be so intoxicating that is becomes difficult for one to select the right scent for him or her, so Ganter recommends Orange Saguine as a safe bet for anyone. “It’s like that moment right before you drink your fresh squeezed orange juice, and you just smell it and it gives you a big smile, this is what the fragrance is like. And because of the way the fragrance is built, that freshness stays with you. Six hours later, you still get that burst of energy and liveliness out of it.” Cervasel credits Orange Saguine as his favorite. “It’s the one that really represents what we wanted to do. When you smell it, you get in two seconds what our brand is about.”

But if you prefer something that is more romantic, Ganter recommends Grand Neroli, which reminds her of her roots in the South of France and the brides who wear the flower as a crown for their wedding. Bois Blonds is a sensual fragrance that complements the confident man or woman, which also happens to be Ganter’s favorite. “It’s very complex. It’s very modern. You don’t really know what you’re smelling when you smell it. It’s very rich, but not overpowering,” she describes the cologne.

Trefle Pur is green and classic with a big twist. Cervasel describes it as the “John McEnroe of the line.” Oolong Infini is mysterious, artistic and cutting edge. But whichever Atelier cologne you select as your first, expect the unexpected. This collection of cologne is truly unlike any other line of fragrance on the market.

Ganter and Cervasel never intended for Atelier to be about the business side of the fragrance industry or making a profit. For them, it’s about sharing beauty and meaningful moments, sans exclusion. “We’re not a luxury brand, in the sense that we do not want to exclude anyone. We want to share it with the people,” Cervasel insists. This is why they are adding the refillable travel size bottles to their line. “People who have $50 can buy our fragrance. Maybe the first time they buy our fragrance, they don’t want to spend $150, and we understand that. So you can experience our brand and products without being wealthy, while the quality of product remains outstanding.”

As Atelier works to not exclude certain customers, the brand does not skimp on the details. The larger size bottles feature an impressive leather cap on the bottle, while the new travel sizes will include a travel pouch made from leather, that is more like a protective bottle glove.

The imagery used to market Atelier is stunning. Each photograph draws the viewer into the scene and clearly conveys each fragrance’s unique personality and storyline. The pair turned to their family and friends for inspiration and guidance, and Cervasel jokes that “they were very tough with us,” but nonetheless, the fragrance founders were grateful to share their passion with the people they love and use their advice to help tweak some of their ideas. “There is a lot of us in Atelier, but it’s not done to be egocentric. It’s really about sharing, ” Ganter clarifies.

In Las Vegas, Atelier Cologne Absolue is available for purchase at Neiman Marcus at the Fashion Show. To learn more about Atelier, visit their website at www.ateliercologne.com.

Master Perfumer Francis Kurkdjian visited Neiman Marcus in Las Vegas to promote his French fragrance collection, which is a tribute to Paris and dedicated to great joys and simple pleasures.


The collection itself is pretty awe-inspiring. That’s because the Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris line is more than bottles of perfume. As Francis himself would say, “It’s a lifestyle brand based on perfume.” Simply put, the Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris collection is a fragranced approach to life 24/7.


Exclusive to Neiman Marcus, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris includes candles, incense paper (tip from Francis: use the incense paper inside your handbag, closet or car) and bubbles. Yes. That’s right. BUBBLES! But these aren’t just any bubbles. These are fragrant bubbles, inspired by Francis’ niece Agathe, with the intention of teaching children about colors and scents. In fact, one should not pop a bubble from Francis Kurkdjian Les Bulles d’Agathe with the finger. No. To properly experience Francis Kurkdjian, one must pop the bubble with the nose. Doing so will fill your nose with sweet fragrance and your mind with childhood memories.


Especially for Mother’s Day, Francis developed violet scented bubbles, which are available at Neiman Marcus May 2. For only $18, any child can give his mother a special gift and a special memory of play.

One of the most interesting things Francis said to me was that the various scents of his fragrance collection are not, in fact, scents. “I call them stories,” said Francis. So we sat down to chat and to hear more of Francis’ stories.

LS: So, creating a fragrance is science-based because it’s chemistry, right?

FK: No, it’s not. Let me ask you a question. Do you think a painter using colors, and colors are made of synthetics, is a chemist?

LS: No.

FK: Creating a fragrance is like creating any piece of art. It’s exactly the same process. You have to get to know your raw materials. There’s nothing to do with chemistry.

LS: So, really it’s just a complete art. Not like you’re taking science and developing an art.

FK: No. Because you have scientists on one side that create new aromas. And my job is to mix those notes. So there is no chemistry involved. It’s just deciding that I should take jasmine and rose, the same way a painter would take white and red, and mix them together.

LS: And then, what inspires you to select the specific notes?

FK: I’m very in my time. I don’t like to run away, escapism. I’m more like, in life. So, I can be inspired by trips I’ve made, people I’ve met…. One of the fragrances is inspired by a French actress, another one is inspired by my trip to Lebanon. Another fragrance is inspired by a garden. So, it really depends.

LS: Do you have tips for women when they’re selecting the right fragrance for themselves?

FK: Take your time. Ask for a sample. I’ve seen too many people sniffing and buying right away. It depends on what you’re looking for. Are you into speed dating and a one night stand? Or are you looking for a relationship?

LS: I like that analogy!

FK: I’ve been at the counter for the past two or three months, meeting people and getting to know my customer. And really this is the way it is: Are you speed dating? Or, do you want to take your time, get to the know the fragrance, put it on your skin… and maybe you come back 20 minutes later? It’s not about waiting five days. At least 20 minutes. Just give it time, a little bit.

LS: How does a woman become more educated about what fragrance works for her? Like with fashion, we get to know our bodies and we know what looks good on us. How do I know what’s going to smell good on me?

FK: It comes from your gut, I think. And also, very much, from what your entourage says about the fragrance you’re wearing. If your best girlfriend says, “Mmm. What are you wearing?” And then you try to not give her the answer. Or if you have a boyfriend, and he tells you, “Oh, my dear. Oh, I love you. You smell very good.” To me, the entourage is very important.

LS: What about if a man is buying a fragrance for a woman?

FK: Men are sometimes driven by the name. For example, a fragrance in my collection is called ‘A Piece of Me,’ and I’ve seen many brides and grooms buying it for their wedding because they saw meaning in the name.

LS: How do you feel about layering fragrances to create your own signature scent?

FK: To me layering your own signature scent is the same way as your apartment where you put together different paintings to pretend it’s a Picasso. But, if you’re happy…. Fragrance is about being free. The best thing to me is in the end, does she feel better as a person? Is she happy about it? Is she getting compliments from who she wants to? And if she’s getting all three, then fine.

LS: What made you choose violet for Mother’s Day?

FK: There is a French song called “Love is a Bouquet of Violets.”

LS: Awwwww….

FK: And it’s [the bubbles are] only $18. And I do remember that when I was a kid it was exciting to get something and buy it myself to give to my mother. So I think for $18, you give the gift of the scent of violet and it’s fun.

Being a bubbles girl, this blogger is totally in love with Les Bulles d’Agathe, in every scent, but my other favorite is the Aqua Universalis fragrance, which was inspired by the “emotion of clean.” It’s a unisex scent and is available as an Eau de Toilette, Laundry Wash, Incense Paper, Candle or Leather Bracelet.

Purchase Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris at Neiman Marcus or use the widget below. Makes a great Mother’s Day gift!

Maison Francis Kurkdjian

I personally believe that you can never go wrong during the holidays with the gift of fragrance. Today’s giveaway is a bottle of QUEEN by Queen Latifah and sponsored by Glamour magazine.

I love Queen Latifah. She’s bold, beautiful and fearless. And according to Glamour, QUEEN promises to be the same. This sexy fragrance features sparkling citrus notes of bergamot, mandarin and jasmine, followed by baie rose, cognac, patchouli, coriander, sandalwood and vanilla. Sounds deliciously captivating!

WIN A 1.7 OZ EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY OF QUEEN! (a $49 value)
Leave a comment below and tell me what your favorite Queen Latifah song or movie is and why. My favorite Queen Latifah song is “Ladies First,” and while I loved Queen in “Chicago,” I really loved her in “The Secret Life of Bees.” That’s my favorite Queen Latifah movie.

DEADLINE: I want to make sure you receive your QUEEN in time for the holidays, so the deadline to win is 11:59 pm Pacific time, December 18. Giveaway limited to USA, 48 continental states only. One winner will be randomly chosen on December 19.

EARN ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: Receive additional entries for RT-ing this giveaway on Twitter or sending this blog post to your friends via email, Facebook, or however. Just tell me how many times you RT’d or how many people you sent the post to via a tweet on Twitter or by leaving a comment below. Limit five additional entries per person. (You must FIRST leave a comment telling me your favorite Queen Latifah song or movie before you can earn additional entries.)

Good luck and happy holidays!