Posted on January 4th, 2012
CB 'I hate perfume'
This Perfume line came strongly suggested to me a few months back by my lovely young shop helper Patric.
Looking deeper into the philosophy behind these fragrances I was compelled and enthusiastic about having the opportunity to offer them in the shop.
Christopher Brosius has been creating specific scented landscapes for almost twenty years now. From his early days at Kiehl's, then at Demeter Fragrance Library until the founding of his own line, CB I Hate Perfume, in 2004; Mr. Brosius has been discovering what can be achieved in perfume composition rather than creating just what smells pretty. His perfume company has an unlikely name—CB: I Hate Perfume—but its target consumer is precisely the type who wouldn’t be drawn to fancy fragrances with celebrity names.
“I hate perfume.
Perfume is too often an ethereal corset trapping everyone in the same unnatural shape
A lazy and inelegant concession to fashionable ego
Too often a substitute for true allure and style
An opaque shell concealing everything – revealing nothing
A childish masque hiding the timid and unimaginative
An arrogant slap in the face from across the room
People who smell like everyone else disgust me”
All CB perfumes are created and produced out of their Brooklyn based workshop under the supervision and guidance of it's creator (which assures proper manufacturing, something that is often overlooked with international production of any kind) Using water and oil as a base rather than the commonly used alcohol base, which I find, results in a much more natural and less abrasive odour.
Opting to capture fragrances which evoke nostalgia attached to your sensorial memories CB offers scents that feel and smell a lot more human.
I think this is a beautiful product which defies everything about mainstream perfumes and offers a much more individualistic approach to personal aroma.
With 5 fragrances to choose from our current inventory you will find 3 rather unisex fragrances ( 'Winter 1972', 'In the Library', and 'I am a Dandelion' ), one masculine one, ( 'Cedarwood Tea' ) and one more feminine scent ( 'Tea/Rose' ).
Below is Brosius's description for each of these Perfumes.
WINTER 1972 - A field of untouched new fallen snow, hand knit woollen mittens covered with frost, a hint of frozen forest & sleeping earth.
IN THE LIBRARY - In the Library is a warm blend of English Novel, Russian & Moroccan Leather Bindings, Worn Cloth and a hint of Wood Polish
I AM A DANDELION - Though there are certainly "prettier" flowers, the simple Dandelion is remains my own favourite. Perhaps because its beauty lies in its innocence and the flower constantly reminds me of happier times. Dandelions are also extremely resilient and able to survive very harsh conditions. Much like me...This perfume is the simple scent of a Dandelion newly picked from the lawn.
CEDARWOOD TEA - This is the scent I originally designed for my Wardrobe collection. I made the swift discovery that it is wonderful to wear. In fact, this scent has become one of my personal favourites. So I've redone it in a richer concentration especially for you to wear yourself. Cedarwood Tea is a marvellous warm blend of Himalayan & Moroccan cedars, Black Indian Tea and a touch of incense.
TEA/ROSE - I composed this classic scent with real Tea (Indian Black) and real Moroccan Rose Absolute (Rosa Damascena). What could be more simple or elegant?
Posted on December 27th, 2011
"Inspirations" folder #2
VIVIANE SASSEN
I recently stumbled across the powerful works of this 39 year old Dutch photographer and feel like it somehow compliments my previous post.
Having note worthy oeuvres both in the fashion and museum/gallery spheres with clients like Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton, and editorial offerings in publications such as Another Magazine, I-D, Purple, Fantastik Man, Wallpaper, and french Vogue (to name a few), this work (again) is of the type which reaches out beyond the niche demographic in its immediate circumference. A quality I enjoy very much in the creative world.
Sassen spent her early years living in Kenya with her Father and struggled to find a place for herself when her family moved back to Amsterdam. This is why a great deal of her photography is focused in Africa, in an interview she expressed that ‘coming back to Africa always fills me with joy and melancholy. it feels like coming home, but at the same time I will never fully be part of it too.
This womans approach to photography is half documentary (taking impulsive snap-shots of things she finds beautiful) and half are constructed, working closely with her team and the subject of the photograph assembling the image allowing the subjects to realize the images through their natural actions, ideas and body poses.
She's also shot for Danish menswear label 'Our Legacy', which we will be stocking at our physical shop Héritage as of Spring 2012.
Posted on November 29th, 2011
"Inspirations" folder
I was introduced to this man's work in the midst of an informal dinner some time last year. Weeks later I wrote my friend who'd brought him up asking her to identify this photographer who's work I'd instinctively filed in my mental "inspirations" folder.
Carl Kleiner's compositions conjure an artistic approach which I find not only rare but also admirable in this day and age. Creating clever imagery and photography which is easy for an outsider to enjoy and understand, yet has depth, technique and vision which touches connoisseurs alike. At complete ease inside the studio or out on one of many locations covered in the "diary" section of his website, style here does not find it's consistency within the shapes, colours or textures, but rather in an underlying (and almost intangible) personal touch and brilliance which is eminent in every frame.
I highly recommend spending time on his website browsing the vast cataloguing of his talent as what I've posted below is limited to 'on location' photography for visual cohesivness and only summons a small fraction of the directions this imagists undertakes.
... As a footnote, it should be said that he's shot many campaigns with Swedish womenswear label Minimarket which we have the pleasure to be stocking as of Spring Summer 2012.
Posted on October 27th, 2011
Our Fall/Winter 2011 Lookbook
These looks were put together by and shot on the lovely people who work at our shop Héritage. While Leticia (short hair) and Paula are modeling the new arrivals, Taylor here, is a guest of honour. He's been touring non stop with his band BRAIDS lately (who you should look up if you don't already know about) and was kind enough to take a moment to come play dress up with us last night... Paula and him make for the most handsome couple you could ask for. A special thanks goes out to Patric, another of our shop keepers, for help with styling and overall pleasantness.