It’s once again Spring in the south of France. This year, the various seasonal flowers (such as mimosa) were all blooming and finishing their blooming cycle about 1 month earlier than usual. We really didn’t have much of a winter, and the cold part of the season actually happened in March.
However, here we are 2 days before my birthday, and the flowers that always mark this day for me, are opening now, right on cue. These are the fragrant and graceful purple wisteria with the first roses, that cover many garden walls, and fences, and arbours of the region. And at the same time, the intoxicating spring jasmine is also now in bloom, tumbling over walls and fences. So all is well in the world.
Otherwise, as I have written in recent posts, I have been working for the last several months on the new collection of 4 fragrances called The Blue Collection. These are taking longer than I anticipated, as I am determined that they will be as close to perfection as I can possibly make them. This said, as an independent perfumer, working alone in my little lab in Grasse, like the perfume days of the past, 4 great perfumes take longer than 4 weeks to create. But we are almost there, and have now connected with some amazing designers and printers in Croatia, (ask me for contacts if you are looking for this kind of service), and the labels will go to print next week. The ribbon must be ordered, and the outer boxes modified and prepped. And then…. FINALLY, we will launch. I will keep you posted.
In other news: we have just launched a travel-size spray (8ml) for the 5 original fragrances, including of course, Reglisse Noire, and they are available in the 1000 Flowers boutique as of today. They retail for 22CAD each (plus minimal shipping since they are light and compact). This is a great way to try the fragrances, but also as a purse/pocket travel format, since they are refillable as well.
Also, all 1000 Flowers fragrances are now made with 100% certified organic alcohol.
So, that’s all for now! Life as an expat perfumer living in Grasse continues! Please don’t hesitate to write to me if you have any ideas, questions, suggestions comments etc. I feel far away from my native land and all my wonderful clients sometimes, hidden away in my atelier, so it’s always nice to have some news.
Happy Spring!
A Perfumed Pilgrimage 
As you know, I need the gallon bucket size of Reglisse Noir, lol. Although I own and love all your fragrances, it still remains my favorite perfume. I urge any of you not to hesitate buying these enchanting travel sizes for your first sprays of 1000 Flowers. You won’t be disappointed. I can’t wait to try the new ones!
I have just discovered this looking up if possible to study online. I have a fantastic nose, live of nature, so where can I get your fragrance in cape town pretty please 🙂 will have to start on my French!!
Hello Deborah, We don’t currently have distribution in your country, but you can order directly from our site (www.1000flowers.ca), and we can ship to you directly. Thank you and all the best with your studies! ~Jessica
I LOVE this 8ml packaging and I definitively need some more Reglisse Noire and Narcotic Flowers. Waiting in anticipation for The Blue Collection 🙂 xoxo from Canada
Thank you! Reglisse Noire will be soon available in a whole new 50ml format, but Narcotic Flowers will stay in the 8ml for now. The Blue Collection is now just awaiting the labels, enroute from the UK. xoxo from France! 🙂
Hello there, you may not remember me, but I go by @the_noseyartist on Instagram and last summer I reviewed a few of your fragrances for scent trunk. I’ve decided to follow my dream like your self and prepare to take the summer course at GIP next year. I went through your blog again to find as much info as I could on your experience. I wanted to know if you could share some helpful preparation tips with me, I’d like to continue my studies and do a longer course, but I have no chemistry background. How ever, Clayton from whatamanshouldsmelllike.com told me after your two week course you were invited to attend the longer course? Please excuse me if my information is wrong, I hope to hear from you soon. Warm Regards
The Nosey Artist
Hello Benny, Congratulations on your decision to attend the GIP summer school! Actually, I did not attend the summer school, and applied directly to the 1 year program. I had already been working for about 10 years with naturals, had launched 4 natural perfumes, and was trained (also 1 yr training) in clinical aromatherapy. I did also not have a background in chemistry, although with an indepth study of essential oils, of course we look at the molecules of importance in their constituents. That would be my recommendation for you- to take a look at the constituents in the most commonly used essential oils. Then when you begin the synthetics, you will be able to make the links with many of these molecules that are nature identical. Otherwise, don’t worry about chemistry! It’s not as important as they might make it out to be! And you will learn it as you go. So I would say, just make sure your health is in good shape, maybe brush up on your French, and come to Grasse, and dive in! The summer school is an excellent introduction to the study of perfumery.
Thank you so much for your speedy reply and insight! Do you have any places for room and lodge that you would recommend?
Hello again… I would suggest checking with the school, as they often have studio space available in their dorm building. Either that, or if you would like a hotel right in the old city centre, the Hotel Patti isn’t bad. The rooms are all redone, and it’s right beside the main grocery store, and about 20min walk from the school. All the best!!
Thank you again! One more question, what was it about Grasse that enchanted you enough to make it your home after your schooling? I think we all dream of living in a beautiful distant land, but the reality of the move often shakes us. Btw, so happy for all your success, I hope to review more of your line in the new future 🙂
Well, that’s a big question to answer simply… it was partly because i had sold my house in Canada, and had to furnish an apartment here in Grasse, so after 1.5 yrs of being here, I had actually become more settled here than back in Canada. But also, since here is the industry of perfumery…so if I was to continue in a serious way as a perfumer, I thought it made sense to stay here. It was a long drawn out decision that was very difficult to make, and then very difficult to make a reality. I have written about it to some degree on the blog. Of course, the climate here is to me, the best I had ever seen, and plus learning a new language, and just the overall challenge of becoming an expat… as i said, it’s a long story. But hey, here i am, and I don’t intend to leave anytime soon! 🙂 Yes, it would be lovely if you wanted to review my new line, just being launched now.
Lol I’m sure it is a long story,maybe if you have time when I’m there you could tell me the full version. I think you made a great decision and I admire it. I’m at a point in life where any where could be my home and I have nothing holding me back which is why I asked. That would be awesome, may I email you in regards to samples/details of the new line?
Well, that is a great point of life to be! 🙂 No looking back… Yes, of course you can email me direct at nectar@1000flowers.ca Have a nice weekend!