The phrase 'to have a good nose for something' demonstrates the value of our sense of smell – a sense that forms the focus of the work of Fabrice Penot and Edouard Roschi who create inimitable olfactory highlights.
'Chanel No. 5,' replied Marilyn Monroe upon being asked what she wore to bed, instantly turning Coco Chanel and Earnest Beaux's scent into a legend which can be found on the shelves of perfumeries to this day. The significance of fragrances goes back much further, however. Just think of the ancient Egyptians with their fragrant baths or of frankincense and myrrh in religious ceremonies. It is undeniable that an attractive fragrance makes a statement that appeals to the senses and stimulates sensuality. Today, however, anyone looking for the perfect scent has to contend with some 20,000 offerings. Not an easy task, in part becausemass-produced products are marketed extensively as unique and changing trends are sold as 'must haves' that can be worn by anyone. Fabrice Penot and Edouard Roschi provide the way out of the excess. Both were responsible for well-known perfume brands at international cosmetics companies but had the feeling they could do better. They had their own idea of what a fragrance should do, namely to emphasise the character of the wearer irrespective of the season or current trends. With the founding of their company Le Labo in New York they set a new standard: the highest quality essential essences are combined into purely vegan perfumes before the customer's eyes. Individuality plays the lead role: the perfect perfume is composed exactly according to the customer's perceptions and skin chemistry. The choice of base note is only right if the customer experiences a wow moment after the first sniff. Just follow your nose.
Bergamot, rose, vetiver, neroli, orange blossom, patchouli, jasmine, iris, sandalwood, labdanum and musk – the New York perfume creators at Le Labo focus deliberately on just ten main essences from the capital of scents, the French city of Grasse. Although each of these concentrated essential oils is combined with other fragrant components according to certain formulas – indicated by the number after each creation – they dominate the direction of the perfume. Both natural and synthetic essences are used, although for Roschi and Penot it is crucial that they are vegan and quality-controlled products that dispense entirely with animal ingredients and animal testing. Only once the customer has made his or her choice from the 20 fragrances in the comprehensive Le Labo collection is the perfume completed by adding alcohol and water. This means the scent is not only highly individual, but also fresh and long-lasting.
The packaging does the label justice: the simple laboratory vials emphasise the founders' purist approach and the labels are personalised with a name and message. That the Swiss chemist Roschi and the French perfumer Penot's concept is on the rise is reflected in the success the company has had since its founding in 2005. Le Labo now has three locations in New York as well as in department stores in London, Berlin, and Tokyo to mention but a few. The brand's sensual wonders can also be ordered online together with matching body creams, oils and scented candles, so there is nothing to stop you indulging in olfactory pleasure.
