Perfumer & Flavorist Magazine: Maurice Roucel, Mandy Aftel and Much More

The July/August issue of Perfumer & Flavorist (vol 31, no 7) is featuring a great article about Maurice Roucel (p. 16-18). “When a great perfumer puts the genie in the bottle, the magic—the ‘it’ factor—is almost always a direct result of the character and life experience of the perfumer. This is certainly the case for Maurice Roucel, whose skills, intelligence and humility are a pleasure, in person or out of a bottle,” writes Michelle Krell Kydd as she leads the reader into the story of Roucel’s unique magnolia signature and his passion for the art of perfumery. For some like me who is an ardent admirer of Roucel’s work, the article is a wonderful discovery, helping me to learn more about the perfumer and person whose Hermès 24, Faubourg, Frédéric Malle Musc Ravageur and Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist have touched my heart and captured my imagination.

The same issue also contains an interview (p.20-21) with the natural perfumer Mandy Aftel, who discusses how she started upon the path of natural perfumery, where she derives her inspirations and the affinity between flavour and fragrance. There is also a compilation of 151 noses to watch (p. 22-31). It is overall an excellent issue. The P&F requires a yearly subscription; however, individual articles can be obtained from a searchable database at the P&F magazine Article Archives.

Photo of Maurice Roucel from Editions de Parfums.

Comments

[k-amber]

Victria,
Yes, you fill me in again! I have just ordered a few articles. I love to learn more about fragrances and noses :) Thank you for valued info. as always. All the best!

Kaori

[BoisdeJasmin]

Kaori, my pleasure! I hope that you will enjoy the articles as much as I did. If you are interested in learning more about the perfumers, here is another P&F recommendation from May 2006 issue, vol. 31. no. 5, p.16-22, "Perfumers at Work." It includes interesting interviews with Carlos Benaim, Yosh Han, Dennis Maroney, and Bruno Jovanovic. I very much enjoyed it.

[Ina]

Vika, this is off the subject but he reminds me of that actor that does Gorodok in Russian. ;D Don't you think?

[cynthia]

The article looks great! I am also going to get it. Thanks so much for heads up.

[Cait]

Thank you for sharing the information. I couldn't resist and broke down and got a subscription. I hope they'll include this issue when it arrives. It says it takes 4-6 weeks to get the first issue. The Allured bookstore looks like it has essential resources. Thanks again.

[BoisdeJasmin]

Ina, I have not seen Gorodok in ages. I am off to look up the actor.

[BoisdeJasmin]

Cynthia, I highly recommend it. It is definitely one of the best articles on a perfumer that I have encountered. I read it three times already.

[BoisdeJasmin]

Cait, it is a great publication, especially for someone who is interested in the technical side of perfumery. Lately, there have appeared a number of very interesting interviews with perfumers, and overall, I am very much enjoying this magazine. It suits my interests perfectly.

[Robert]

I also found the article about Roucel to be a great read about this talented perfumer.

I've been following your website for the past few months, but I didn;t comment before. I am always amazed by your exceptional writing. Please keep up your good work.

Best regards,
Robert

[BoisdeJasmin]

Robert, thank you for your kind words. I am glad that you are enjoying my writing.

[k-amber]

Victoria, Thank you for another recomendation. I will get it shortly.

Kaori

[BoisdeJasmin]

Kaori, I hope that you will enjoy it! Please let me know your thoughts.

[The Scented Salamander]

I think that the list of perfumers they give is a good start. However, I was a bit surprised at times by their selection of representative scents for each perfumer. I got the impression that a number of gaps needed to be filled.

[BoisdeJasmin]

TSS, I do not know what criteria were used. For instance, under the entry for Sophia Grojsman I was surprised to find White Diamonds, Boucheron Jaipur (which she did in collaboration with Jean-Pierre Mary), and Tova Free Spirit instead of Tresor, White Linen and Paris.

[Katie]

Thanks for the heads up, V. Boy, that subscription rate is a bit high, but if they keep writing articles like these I think I'm going to have to consider subscribing. Great stuff there.

[BoisdeJasmin]

Katie, yes, they are high, although it is a trade publication, so that is expected. The articles in this issue make the subscription more than worthwhile to me!