(To our Tumblr followers: we read you on the feed side b/c Cindy really loathes using the Tumblr interface for reading posts.)
Gorgeous fragrances often contain notes of something nasty, it turns out. Even the daintiest jasmine perfumes contain indole, which Christopher likens to the smell of dead mice. (Indole is “probably the most unfairly maligned molecule on earth”, writes Luca Turin in “The Secret of Scent”.)
A client once told Christopher how she loved the scent that wafted from her summer home’s air conditioner after it had been out of use all winter. After some experimenting, Christopher hit upon what the woman found so appealing: mildew.
HE HATES PERFUME | More Intelligent Life (via Vonelle)
Here we are, talking about fragrance again. Food, music, and perfume…that’s what Rich Girls are made of. This time the subject is Christopher Brosius of CB I Hate Perfume in Williamsburg. Mr. Brosius’ previous gig was founding Demeter in the 90s, which brought some of the most fabulous and unique (but alas, shortwearing) scents to the perfume counter. My favorites were Tomato (the sharp, acidic scent of summer tomatoes on the vine) and Ginger Ale (dry and snappy); Cindy still has a supply of the limited edition Hedwig (crayons, cigarette smoke, booze, cheap motel rooms, hair spray, Gummi Bears, wet pavement, and a healthy dose of sweat). At I Hate Perfume, Mr. Brosius has refined favorite glorious stenches such as Rubber Cement, Burning Leaves, In the Library (books, leather, and old carpet), and At the Beach 1996 (the Long Island shore), referencing potential allergens like the aforementioned indole (poop!), mildew, and tar, as well as natural musk (the kind from animals). He also creates custom blends for a nominal fee. The question is whether he’s managed to harness mercaptan (skunk), which is my favorite stink, in a productive fashion. In micro-quantities, it can’t be any worse than ambergris (whale bile), which along with lichen is the foundation of Chypre scents.
Since the weather is getting cool, we’re ready for some Brooklyn exploration. Neither of us get out of the immediate Bed-Stuy / Ft. Greene or Manhattan (downtown) environs quite enough, and I’m especially keen to visit a few places that have been added to the collective excursion list. Mr. Brosius’ store is one; Greenpoint’s Kill Devil Hill is another. It’s like a tiny Uncommon Objects. We’re excited.