Morocco the ultimate fragrance adventure for a perfumer
In Tangier fresh orange juice stands dot the streets filling the air with their aroma and mingling with legendary Moroccan Roses - so colorful in the markets - create a sweet and syrupy mélange. Heavy Jasmine floats through the hot night air mixing with the salty sea breeze creating a heady perfume.
The day I went to visit the 400 year old Madini Perfume shop deep in the Kasba it was very hot. We wound our way through the narrow streets, where shops sell everything imaginable from Kohl for your eyes to snakes. I felt I might never find my way out again. The Madini store is very small with all the wall space filled with shelves covered with heavy glass bottles. I slowly drank my Moroccan Mint Tea with Suleiman head of the Madini family of perfumers and tried not to get overwhelmed with excitement. Most of the oils I had never heard of and many of the labels were written in beautiful Arabic script. Dark sultry oils of Dehn and Maderas de Oriente, floral aroma's that made me swoon smelled of Orange Blossom, Jasmine and Roses, many others I had never smelled before. My favorite, Lina (a seductive floral from the date tree), will surely be included in the next aroma M perfume. I took my time and selected my treasures.
Back on the street colors of the azure sea, pinks and oranges of the desert were dazzling in the textiles swirling on the women’s Kaftans. Exotic sounds of wedding caravans circling the city at night with Cicadas and Arabic music in the background made for a potent evening serenade. The pensive beautiful call to prayer throughout the day made me pause and reflect on this alluring culture.
The city takes on a different face at night as waves of people pour into the streets catching the cool breeze, filling the cafes and shopping as the temperature falls. The winding ally ways of the Kasbah glimmer with light, shadows glow mysteriously as children play and cats carouse, I felt the raw electricity of life within those medieval walls encircled by the sea.
Tangier was everything and much more than I had dreamed… now I will try to bottle it!
In the news:
ALT Magazine
Lake Como Lifestyle
The scented sides of a woman reviews wonderfully Geisha Noire and Geish Blanche perfumes.
I am excited to announce that I have collaborated with fellow independent perfumer Alexis Karl of Scent by Alexis to launch a new perfume line Cherry Bomb Killer Perfume! Sweet and sassy with a Rock and Roll edge check it out! Looking forward to hearing what you think.
Indian summer Perfume give away!
Winning a bottle of o-cha perfume oil : Martha Wilhelm
If you would like a chance to win a free bottle of perfume, fill in our Contact page and select Aroma M Newsletter. Aroma M only sends the newsletter quarterly, and will not share your information with anybody else.
Valentine's Day & Anniversary Celebration!
Valentines Day is a double celebration at aroma M as it is our anniversary. This year marks our 15th! As I look over the passing years and aroma M's history, I am reminded of so many wonderful experiences. Those of you that have followed aroma M through the years will remember our Geisha perfume launch at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City in addition to the fabulous display in the Manhattan 57th Street window. Our glamorous cherry blossom launch party in a gorgeous Soho town house featuring our first fragrance o-cha was quite a dizzying start. Only to be followed by our exclusive collection commissioned by Sephora USA and the exciting launch party I attended in Tokyo to promote the fragrances in Asia. Then I was off to London to christen the new Apothecary at Harrods with a week of personal appearances promoting the Geisha perfumes in England. These in addition to my debut on QVC, are certainly some exceptional highlights of the past 15 years and I cannot wait to see what is in store for the next decade of aroma M!
We thought it appropriate after clamorous requests over the years that we would mark aroma M's 15th anniversary with the launch on our web store of our beloved nobara-cha eau de perfume in a perfume oil. Launched in 1997 the perfume will have a sister fragrance in our handy, portable, no-spill roll on form. The phantasmagorically patterned Yuzen papers, handcrafted in Kyoto were selected on my trip to Japan last year.
Last but not least we have a secret to share with you…
We will be launching aroma M's first new perfume since 2006 this spring, Geisha Fleur. We will be announcing it's debut about the time the snow has finally melted so get ready for a warm breeze carrying a heady floral scent with the freshness of a flower shop.
Thank you for these past amazing 15 years and for sharing in aroma M's Birthday Celebration, Cheers!
Current Press:
Exciting award from Fashiontribes Fragrance for our cult favorite Geisha Noire EDP, congratulations!
Fashion Tribes best flanker: Aroma-M Geisha Black Eau de Parfum
Lucy Raubertas at INDIEPERFUMES Reviews Aroma M Geisha Perfumes
Follow me at aroma_M Twitter for instant news and observations!
Become a fan on aroma M's facebook page!
Check out "it List" to take a look at our latest adventures and finds!
Visit aroma M at www.aromam.com
Valentine's Day & Anniversary Celebration Give Away Winners!
Winning a bottle of Geisha nobara-cha roll-on perfume oil:
Dawn Hayes
Winning a sample vial of Geisha nobara-cha roll-on perfume oil:
Rebbecca Redelman
Carol Spiros
Kristin Contreras
If you would like to be included in the next contest, please sign up for the aroma M newsletter using the contact page form. Be sure to select the newsletter option in the sign up form. If not the news letter, be sure to watch for sales and discounts throughout the site.
Autumn in Japan & Holiday Give Away Winners!
Winning a bottle of Geisha Pink Perfume:
Amy H.
Winning Geisha Pink Perfume Sample:
Benni
Stephanie
Claire Luchkina
Sarah Redmill
Yvette C.
If you would like to be included in the next contest, please sign up for the aroma M newsletter using the contact page form. Be sure to select the newsletter option in the sign up form. If not the news letter, be sure to watch for sales and discounts throughout the site.
Autumn in Japan
Autumn in Kyoto could not be more beautiful or picturesque. My trip to Japan this month was not only one of glorious red maple landscapes but also fabulous food, sweeping tea fields and hidden hot springs. One of the highlights for me was the annual "Gion Ordori" known as the Geisha and Maiko Maple dance, performed in the historical Geisha district in Kyoto. Since the first performance in 1894 it has been much anticipated as one of autumn's most splendid events in Kyoto. When we entered the colorfully decorated theater we were ushered to a side room where a Maiko was making traditional tea in full Kimono and makeup. Accompanied by sweet bean cakes we drank our Matcha in the front row mesmerized by the theatrics, like watching a historical drama. The dance performance was a dizzying display of costumes and music I was in heaven.
Back in New York unpacking my bags full of green tea, incense and of course more fabulous Yuzen paper for our aroma M perfumes I am feeling refreshed and inspired, ready to kick off the holidays!
Summer in the City 2009
Fireworks Festivals
We are in the hottest month of summer and traditionally in Japan August is the month of Fireworks festivals. I absolutely love the magic of fireworks and in Japan the shows last continuously from two locations for two hours! Really a celebration of summer and a time to cool off with friends on the riverbank drinking cold beer and soaking in the massive and colorful explosions in the night sky. I will miss the festivals in Japan this summer but I will try to imagine what it would be like to have such a festival in NY on the banks of the east river….
Summer Senations Newsletter Winners
Winning a bottle of Geisha Pink Perfume:
Hannah Imankulov
Winning Geisha Pink Perfume Sample:
Yvette Cataneo
Cecilia Young
Jenifer Cline
Yuofong Amato
Bill Coffman
If you would like to be included in the next contest, please sign up for the aroma M newsletter using the contact page form. Be sure to select the newsletter option in the sign up form. If not the news letter, be sure to watch for sales and discounts throughout the site.
Spring Fling 2009
"Hanami"
One of the most famous Japanese traditions is the, Hanami, cherry blossom parties symbolizing my favorite season spring! Trees slowly turning green again and fragrant flowers blooming adding their brilliant colors to the warming sky and sweet breeze.
In Japan the blooming of cherry blossom are awaited with anticipation and I also always look forward to picnicking with friends and family under the beautiful blossoming "sakura" trees.
Spring Fling Things
aroma M perfumes blog features:
- See the Sniffapalooza magazine article Niche, Nicher, Nichest: In Two Verses.
- Catch Kristy Victoria's Geisha Blanche article at Specktra.net.
Follow me at aroma_M Twitter for instant news and observations!
We have updated our "it List" take a look at our latest adventures and finds!
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Special thanks to Takeshi Yagi for providing us with the lovely photographs.
Enjoy this heady fragrant season and we wish you a vibrant and dazzling spring!
Spring Fling Newsletter Winners
Winning a bottle of "sakura" patterned paper adorned Geisha Pink Perfume:
Stella Sensel
Winning Geisha Pink Perfume Sample:
Stephanie Okamura
Ksenia Coffman
Jason Boyd
Bettina Whitmire
Jeanne B
If you would like to be included in next years contest sign up for the aroma M newsletter using the contact page form. Be sure to select the newsletter option in the sign up form. If not the news letter, be sure to watch for sales and discounts throughout the site.
New Years Wishes, 2009
Aroma M Newsletter - New Years 2009
Oshougatsu, or the Japanese New Year, is by far the most important festival of the year and holds the most cherished memories for me from my seven-year journey living in Japan. Celebrating the arrival of the New Year includes a mesmerizing and joyous offering made at a temple or shrine, special New Year's delicacies known as Osechi Ryori that are presented in beautifully layered lacquer boxes and brings "layers of luck", and, of course, drinking sake.
At the stroke of midnight all the temple bells throughout Japan are rung 108 times to bring in the New Year with blessings. To this day, I still uphold the old tradition of eating soba noodles on New Year's Eve. This tradition comes from many centuries ago and the long noodles symbolize good health and longevity.
There is an electric festive energy around the temples and shrines where all the kimono clad celebrators go to offer thanks and hopes for a joyous and healthy year. Dotting the streets surrounding the temples, food and drink stalls full of families until the auspicious first year sunrise appears.
Not too long ago everyone had holiday the first week of January off. Everything was closed—including the supermarkets—so you really had to stock up beforehand. In my case, I would always hope to be invited for Osechi Ryori, which is such a treat. I always looked forward to the New Year's day soup, ozoni, which consists of vegetables and mochi. Depending on the region, the soup may be made from a base of either soy sauce or miso. Families enjoying each other's company while eating and drinking were one of my favorite ways to pass those days… Amongst my other beloved traditions were taking a soak in a Japanese sunken tub with fragrant fresh yuzu (a Japanese citrus) and watching samurai dramas play all day long. What wonderful memories.
My life now in New York is far from that time, but I always remember those treasured celebrations at every turning of a new year. I keep in mind how blessed I am to have such wonderful memories and to be creating more.
Akemashite Omedetou… Happiness to you in the New Year!
From all of us at Aroma M, here is to a fabulously fragrant 2009.
Fall / Winter 2008
Aroma M Perfumes 2008 has been filled with many adventures and exciting new projects.
Traveling to Greece and experiencing the rich and joyous culture was an inspiring opportunity. My Greek heritage set the stage for an evocative journey through this rich and joyous culture.
Athens is a fantastic city filled with bustling crowds and aromatic markets. There is always an outdoor café beckoning with fabulous coffee and wonderful people watching; a city with Parisian attitude married with a Mediterranean sensibility.
An overnight ferry revealed Patmos, a medieval island lost in time with winding, stone, whitewashed walls overlooking the deep azure sea. I was greeting with irresistible Greek hospitality; the women of the Hora welcomed me with handmade rose and orange blossom water and incomparable Greek sponges. With all of the beauty and fragrances floating in the marine breeze I was inspired to create a new perfume.
Jasmine and orange flowers, lemon balm, basil and wild flowers fill the Patmian kitchen gardens. These floral and green notes join with incense from the many churches on the island to create a heady combination.
My drink of choice was Ouzo, liquor with an anis taste and fragrance. In addition, I discovered the magical Greek Mastica, an herb that has a fascinating honey-juniper quality. I will swirl all these together for Aroma M’s next perfume. Now I just need a name…any suggestions?
Photo highlights
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