Last Saturday, on the 3rd of May, our beloved Hajusuuri jumped on a train to New York City to join the amazing fun of Sniffapalooza Spring Fling. I asked her if she would be interested in sharing her impressions from that fabulous (scentabulous?) day with us all. She kindly agreed to tell and show us what she saw, heard and smelled. Lets all sit comfortably and enjoy the read.
Guest post by Hajusuuri
May 3-4, 2014 marked the 20th anniversary of Sniffapalooza! This two-day olfactory extravaganza was chock full of the latest and greatest in all things fragrance. It was my first time attending Sniffapalooza and what an experience! Even though New York City is my stomping grounds and I have frequented most of the places on the itinerary (often with Daisy), meeting other attendees (hello Unseen Censer), sniffing product launches, listening to perfumers speaking of their creative process and inspiration and special event-only deals made it worthwhile. I attended Day 1 and was lucky enough to get into the legendary Bergdorf Breakfast. Read on for highlights of the day!
The inspiration for the title of this post came from Michelyn Camen, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief and Art Director of CaFleureBon. At the Sniffapalooza luncheon held at the fabulous Brasserie 8 1/2, she gifted me (unexpectedly!) with a 17mL bottle of Sonoma Scent Studio Yin & Ylang, a collaboration between her and perfumer Laurie Erickson. I commented on The Scented Hound’s review of Yin & Ylang and mentioned that I will be at Sniffapalooza and was looking forward to meeting her. Thank you, Michelyn!
Two of the Perfume World’s Who’s Who at the event, Roja Dove and Chandler Burr, illustrated Yin & Yang (the concept of interconnected opposites) perfectly. Roja Dove, in a beautiful gold lame jacket, which he wore as a tribute to his mother, regaled us at breakfast with the back-story to some of his most recent perfumes (Lilac, Creation-E, Creation-I, Diaghilev and Nuwa). He was very animated and spoke with his eyes and hands. Chandler Burr, in a pink-checked collared-shirt, spoke at lunch and mentioned that he is currently working on two curatorial projects (one to be presented in Dubai) and he has a new book to be published October 2014 but he couldn’t say what it’s about (let me guess – it has something to do with perfumes!).
Highlights from the event:
The Bergdorf Breakfast – The doors uncharacteristically opened late, way past the 8 AM start time. Imagine 30+ perfumistas crowded around the 58th Street entrance, inhaling Eau de Exhaust Fumes. Many of the perfume representatives introduced their latest offerings and passed around scent strips. Tip: If you are like me who needs a hearty breakfast with protein to get through the morning, eat breakfast elsewhere before arriving.
Best Perfume Launch – Atelier Cologne Blanche Immortelle! Our very own Lucas wrote an exclusive sneak peek right in this very blog. It is every bit as good as Lucas described! Alas, I do not need 200 mls of this (not counting the additional 30 ml bottle) and I am considering hosting a split. To tide me over, I bought a bar of Blanche Immortelle soap.
Best Perfume Line Launch – Absolument Parfumeur at Henri Bendel. This company debuted with 5 perfumes. I was able to get one sample and maybe I’ll do a review of it in the future.
Best Tasting Perfume Launch – Chef Roble debuted his fragrance Clique. The perfume is not edible but the dessert we had was an inspired recipe by Chef Roble.
Best Perfume Purchase Deal – Henri Bendel $s off with $ minimum purchase plus a special event only gift tote. As a serial spontaneous perfume buyer, I leveraged the deal and bought CB I Hate Perfume Russian Caravan Tea and Robert Piguet Visa.
Best Much Ado About Nothing – Project Felicia “Scent with Style”, “Bridging the World Through Fragrance”. I was excited to read more about this but the website is just one page of, well, nothing. Wishing the founder much success as she gets this venture off the ground!
Best Venue to Learn – Anastasia Sokolow, perfumer and founder of SuleKo, hosted a perfume workshop where she presented the 4 perfumes she launched in 2013, each evoking a season. We smelled test strips of individual notes that made up each perfume and also the final version. The bottles she specially commissioned were gorgeous, stunning and unique. Her website is currently only in French but you can navigate to the Flacon tab for each perfume to see the bottles. I have a set of the perfumes and I can’t wait to try them!
Bonus: Off-the-beaten-path exploits (also known as playing hooky from Sniffapalooza)
Daisy and I had time before the SuleKo seminar to check out a few more things. We had a light dinner at the wonderful Plaza Food Hall, with its 32,000 square feet of dining options. Every turn in the bowels of The Plaza revealed increasingly interesting food choices! We also went to the Cartier Boutique across the street from The Plaza. The perfumes were tucked away deep inside the boutique. Have you seen the La Panthere bottles? They are gorgeous and the perfume smells good, too. We also saw the Les Heures de Parfum line which I did not even know existed! If you get a chance, you have to smell I and X. Right before we left the boutique, we saw Mark Behnke, Editor in Chief of Colognoisseur; I won’t reveal what he bought!
I hope you got a taste of what it was like and decide to join me at Sniffapalooza Fall Ball 2014 in New York City!
Giveaway time!
After a fruitful Sniffapalooza hunt Hajusuuri would like to share a little bit of the goodies. She’s offering one rollerball mini of Robert Piguet Visa as well as a mini candle scented with Visa to one (1) reader from the US. For one (1) of the blog followers who reside in Europe or UK I’d like to offer a mysterious set of 4 carded perfume samples. That person won’t know what scents are included until they receive a package. To participate name one perfume-related place (from anywhere in the world) that would be a must-visit spot if you were to organize a Sniffapalooza. Don’t forget to say if you live in EU, UK or US. You can join the draw until 11 May – Sunday noon (my timezone: UTC+1:00) Two winners will be announced on Monday, May 12 in a Quick Sniffs post. Good luck!
Thank you very much Hajusuuri for sharing your story, for being our virtual guide on Sniffapalooza tour and also for sharing the pictures with us. I’m sure everyone enjoyed this report. If only New York City wasn’t all over the ocean, I would join this too. Who knows – maybe I will one day!?
Chemist in the Bottle 
I’m officially envious! ; -) One day I will come to this event. Thanks for the write-up, hajusuuri!
I want to mention that Suleko website has a choice of languages (switch is on the bottom left). I’m extremely curious about their perfumes: bottles look stunning on pictures!
(do not enter me into the draw)
One day I will try to be there too! If not, maybe I will organize a similar event here in Europe 😉
I have tried the 3 Suleko scents but they didn’t impress me and were given away in a swap.
Hello Undina! Could that “someday” be this Fall? See, I am starting a rumor because we all want to meet you. As to the SuleKo website, the choice of languages does not show up in Firefox (my normal browser); when I switched to Safari, I saw it on the bottom left — thank you for pointing it out.
I think the Osmotheque is the absolute must visit perfume place. I’d like to go there one day.
Ty for the mystery offfering, I’m in the EU
Yes, Osmotheque is worth a visit. When I was at Esxence in Milan there was a lecture about the chemistry of perfume and it was presented by a guy from Osmotheque.
You’re in the draw for EU prize.
The Osmotheque is a must go destination for all perfumistas!
Hi, Hajusuuri! I am so jealous – I would love to visit the States and go to the Sniffapalooza. Was that Daisy, the Queen Enabler with you? Great companion – although I suspect she is a bit of a temptress.
Don’t enter me in the draw either, as I have been so lucky lately in various blogs, but I guess Paris with its shrines like the new Guerlain and Caron would be very appealing.
Daisy is a Mistress of perfume temptation 😉
All the Parisian boutiques would be great to visit!
Hi jilliecat – Paris, of course! I would love to have an escorted perfumista tour of all that Paris has to offer!
I am coming to the comments so late, but my enabling services are always available 😉
Good!
Thanks so much for sharing this with us, Hajusuuri and Lucas. What a spectacular day! Gorgeous pics, too. I hope that one day we will all meet there together.
I will also decline being entered in the draw as I have been gifted quite a bit recently myself.
Here’s to hope we’ll all meet there some day. Would be great to meet the readers!
Holly, we will meet one day (pssssst Fall Ball 2014…don’t know the date yet).
That would be amazing!
I would want people to visit The Perfume House in Portland, Oregon if they were on a sniff (or out here more of an extended road trip). So many niche scents and real people trained about scents, not hired for sales quotas to one line or company. Very amazing place to look around in. Caron crystal urns and small Russian sled carved from would pulling a bottle of perfume…. lovely. And I love any place with an actual working dog working (they have a german shepherd)
On the other hand, San Francisco (US), near my home, has so many great spots.
Sounds like Portland is a nice perfume spot to visit for a perfume trip.
Should I enter you in a draw Shelly?
yes please.
You’re in!
Hi shelleyw! Portland, OR and San Francisco are two of my favorite cities. I used to go to SF quite often when my brother lived there and then he moved to Portland! The last time I was in Portland was in 2008, still pre-perfumista. I will definitely make The Perfume House a destination when I visit next but my brother (just like my mom), can’t stand perfume so I will have to be specially circumspect when I go sniffing!
Hajusuuri –
I’m so glad that you had such a great time at Sniffa. I know the feeling that once you go, you want to return each time. And that was so nice of Michelyn to gift you with the Yin & Ylang…she is a sweet and wonderful person and glad that I can call her a friend. Great review of the event, I feel like I was there. No need to put me in the draw…not unless you were going to auction off one of Roja Dove’s signature gold lame jackets! xoxoxox Steve
You attended the event last year so you know exactly how it feels! You’re lucky to live in the US for those events. At least we have the Esxence and Pitti here in Europe 😀
I’m sure Roja Rove would never give away his sparkling jacket!
It was yours, Poodle’s and Daisy’s enthusiasm at last year’s event that made me extra excited for Sniffapalooza. Roja Dove’s jacket was indeed beautiful. He had so many fawining fans that I never got close enough to meet him personally. Maybe next time. Michelyn — she’s such a dynamic person!
Hajusuuri
I am so honored to be the muse for your wrap-up. And to surprise you with Yin and Ylang. I just feel that we lose sight of the social in social media and Laurie was in on the whole plan. A great post and the Suleko fragrances are really wonderful, all done by Cecile Zarokian who is a rising star at 26! Lucasi, Esxence and Pitti are very different and you are fortunate to be able to go. I loved your review of Yin and Ylang, Junky and Blanche Immortelle.
Did you know Absolument Parfumeur has been around since 2000s. I can’t wait for reviews of treizieme for women which is new. It is sad that Bendel will be going private label and all the artistic htf beauty and perfume gems will be out and their private label will replace Waves to Steve and Daisy. And unseen censor if she reads this
I NEED Roja’s tailor and his jeweler…one can dream.
Hi Michelyn! Thanks for stopping by!
It was very nice of you to gift Hajusuuri with a bottle of Yin & Ylang. I loved this perfume too, glad that Laurie sent me a sample.
Cecile definitely has been very busy lately doing many perfumes for different brand. It was great to meet her at Esxence too.
Thank you for your kind words, glad you liked the reviews that were published lately. I hope I can make it to Pitti in September!
Hugs
Hi Michelyn, it was lovely meeting you and I am still enjoying the glow of Sniffapalooza.Thank you for letting me know that Laurie was in on it also! Anticipating that Lucas is posting this on Friday, it was my SOTD and I smelled good.
I actually did not know that Absolument Parfumeur has been around since the early 2000s. The absinthe drink that was served at Bendel to celebrate the distribution launch was intense and tasted as awful as raki…so much so that I was a little apprehensive to try the perfumes; however, treizieme note femme surprised me (smelling from the perfume dome).
It is sad that Bendel is going private label only but my grabby little hands are thinking SALE! SALE! SALE!
Thanks again!
What a fun write-up! I’d love to go to Sniffapalooza one day.
In my fantasy perfume world, I’d organize a field trip to Istanbul, Turkey for sniffing ALL THE THINGS. Not necessarily a traditional perfume destination, I always think of it in relation to perfume because when I’m there my sense of smell is alive like no other time–there is so much sensory stimulation. From the scent of the air when exiting the airport, to the lemon cologne at the bus station, and all the spices in between, it’s just a non-stop smell-fest. And a fun place to go!
Sounds like many different kind of aromas can be experienced there.
For the draw, where are you based?
Hello dear, Missionista is in the U.S. I had swapped with her before.
Thanks Hajusuuri!
Missionista, you’re in the draw.
Missionista! Ah! My market experience in Istanbul was limited to The Spice Market and it is a microcosm of the sights, sounds and smells of greater Istanbul. And now I am salivating thinking of fresh Turkish Delight.
A stop at Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakech –oranges, snake charmers, dirt, sweat. Magic.
I’m in the US
tomato farcie! Snakes…I am both fascinated and disgusted. I like your description of Marrakech – I would so love it if I can visit Uncle Serge’s home!
Sounds magical and wild!?
Sounds like a great day! Enjoyed the tour of NYC, too. Thank you for this generous give away!. I live in the USA and my fragrant destination for a West Coast Sniffapalooza would include The Scent Bar in Los Angeles; a wonderfully fragrant place to visit.
Glad you liked Hajusuuri’s report 🙂
You’re in the draw.
Hi Jackie – I had never been to Scent Bar and by all accounts, it sounds like a fabulous place to visit!
I had the great pleasure of meeting you, Hajusuuri, and Daisy at what was my first Sniffapalooza, too and witnessing the generous gifting of the bottle of Sonoma Scent Studio’s Yin and Ylang to you. (Hint: I just may be in one of the photos above using some available real estate to assay a new fragrance. I’m really not a contortionist, this is just something I saw the amazing Chandler Burr do!)
What a wonderful recap of some of the highlights of the event! I certainly hope to see you again at the next Sniffapalooza!
I would also like to also mention that at the lunch I sat next to the wonderful Ann Onusko who told me she recently opened the Indigo Perfumery, a brick and mortar and on-line shop specializing in niche fragrances in the Cleveland, OH region. I know that I will be making a beeline to her shop whenever I am in the area.
How many sleeps until the Fall Ball?
So cool that you got to be there and that you met Hajusuuri!
Indeed! Both she and Daisy are super cool!
One day, I really hope to meet you too, Lucas. I adore your blog and that you can combine your passion for perfume with your vast knowledge of chemistry.
I shall be sending my wishes that you can attend the Fall Ball 🙂
Thanks for the kind words Leah!
Hi Leah! Maybe it’s a good thing we did not see Chandler Burr in shorts :-p
I enjoyed meeting you too and yes, we shall meet again at Fall Ball!
Hello, thank you so much for the generous giveaway! I am from the U.S. I’m boring, but I’ll have to go with the Osmotheque as well. I had the pleasure of visiting it very recently and it was a glorious experience.
Re: Hajusuuris report, I found it very informative and entertaining! Eau de Exhaust fumes indeed. I have also read reports that the breakfast event was not really one that lined the stomach.
You’re in the draw Yuna!
Osmotheque – need to go there one day
Hi Yuna…Osmotheque, again! I have to say that anyone who has been to the Osmotheque can’t be boring! The next time I go to Paris (no specific plans yet), I will have to go for more than one day and plot out my perfumery visits!
I stumbled upon this site looking for more information on a new scent I recently purchased. I am so glad I did! I was in New York City on May 3rd (just visiting, I’m from Virginia) and I had no idea there was such a thing as Sniffapalooza! It sounds like a wonderful experience you had Hajusurru! Thank you for sharing!
I visited Bergdorf Goodman and purchased a bottle of Atelier Cologne Rose Anonyme. The review I read on this site was on point! You put my thoughts and feelings about the fragrance into a beautifully written piece.
Thank you!
You missed Sniffapalooza this time but you earned a fabulous new perfume. I’m so happy you liked my review of this scent.
Hi togetherwithasmile (nice name!) – you’re close enough to make it to Fall Ball…perhaps we’ll meet there? Atelier Cologne is one of my favorite perfume brands and I pretty much like all of them but if pressed to name my favorites, I would have to say Silver Iris and Sous le toit de Paris. Blanche Immortelle may round out the Top Three but I haven’t spent enough time with it yet.
[…] Chemist in the Bottle, The Scentinel, […]
Thanks for sharing your wonderful friend’s experiences. Hopefully I will feel better next year and be able to attend.
Maybe you will meet with Hajusuuri
My darling Hajusuuri! What a fabulous write-up! I can’t even imagine when you had the time to snap so many wonderful photos with me waving blotters in your face every few seconds!
And many apologies dearest Lucas for being absent for so long. A very busy semester (busier than I have had on a long time) has kept me away from commenting for a few months, but I have been following your trip to Milan and your university accomplishments even though my words have been absent. Now that the semester is over and all grades are submitted, I am so happy to be able to be back!
You had so much fun!
And glad you’re back!
[…] was quite the low-key affair, as compared with my first Sniffapalooza in 2014 (read all about it here); however, this did not diminish the delight of discovering new perfumes, revisiting old ones and […]