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The Niche Awards... What are your votes for each category?

post #1 of 15
7/11/10 at 8:41pm
Thread Starter 
I am curious to know which niche house you'd elect for each of the following criteria:

Feel free to add categories!



1. Most Innovative

2. Most Elegant

3. Most Natural-Smelling

4. Most Under-Appreciated

5. Best-Kept Secret

6. Most Over-lauded

7. Most Reasonably-Priced

8. Most Pompous

9. Most Chic

10. Most Consistent

11. Least Consistent

12. Most Overpriced

13. Most Outre

14. Most Staid

15. Most Predictable

16. Most Banal

17. Most Derivative

18. Most Watered-Down

19. Most of an 'Acquired-Taste'?

20. Best Packaging

21. Worst Packaging

22. Least Natural-Smelling

23. Trendiest

24. Most Promising

25. Most Designer-like

26. Most Refined

27. Most Mellow

28. Most Amateurish

29. Most Tawdry

30. Most Bohemian
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post #2 of 15
7/11/10 at 8:49pm
Fun thread (as long as things remain civil...)

Request for clarification: are these awards for all-time or for the past year?
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post #3 of 15
7/11/10 at 9:04pm
Thread Starter 
All time!
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post #4 of 15
7/11/10 at 9:49pm
All right, then!

1. Most Innovative Parfumerie Generale

2. Most Elegant Parfums DelRae

3. Most Natural-Smelling DSH

4. Most Under-Appreciated Ormonde Jayne

5. Best-Kept Secret One I'm not in on...

6. Most Over-lauded I'm diplomatically avoiding this one...

7. Most Reasonably-Priced Nicolaï, Dyptique, ELdO

8. Most Pompous Boadicea the Victorious for the name alone

9. Most Chic Different Company

10. Most Consistent Serge Lutens, not 100% but still impressive

11. Least Consistent Le Labo

12. Most Overpriced Clive Christian (want to say JAR, but I've never tried experienced them)

13. Most Outre ELdO

14. Most Staid Creed

15. Most Predictable Montale

16. Most Banal ??? I've forgotten already!

17. Most Derivative Bond No. 9

18. Most Watered-Down Jo Malone

19. Most of an 'Acquired-Taste'? Montale Ouds

20. Best Packaging By Kilian or L'essence de Mastenbroek

21. Worst Packaging Parfums de Nicolaï are the most drab, but at least they don't pump up the cost; maybe Parfums MDCI

22. Least Natural-Smelling CDG

23. Trendiest not my area of expertise...

24. Most Promising Byredo

25. Most Designer-like Bond No. 9
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post #5 of 15
7/11/10 at 11:05pm
Thread Starter 
I like your choices, Paul! We agree on a few!

I'll go.


1. Most Innovative - Parfumerie Generale

2. Most Elegant - Delrae/ Histoire de Parfums

3. Most Natural-Smelling - TDC

4. Most Under-Appreciated - E. Coudray

5. Best-Kept Secret - Nobile 1942

6. Most Over-lauded - Dyptique, Ormonde Jayne, Creed

7. Most Reasonably-Priced - PdN

8. Most Pompous - Xerjoff/ Roja Dove

9. Most Chic - Czech and Speake

10. Most Consistent - Amouage

11. Least Consistent - Penhaligon's

12. Most Overpriced - Roja Dove/ Grossmith

13. Most Outre - Eldo

14. Most Staid - Floris

15. Most Predictable - Goutal

16. Most Banal - Comptoir Sud Pacifique

17. Most Derivative - Tom Ford PB

18. Most Watered-Down - Diptyque

19. Most of an 'Acquired-Taste'? - Mona di Orio/ELDO

20. Best Packaging - Amouage/ Goutal

21. Worst Packaging - MDCI/ Bodicea/ Xerjoff/ Bond

22. Least Natural-Smelling - PG

23. Trendiest - Nasomatto

24. Most Promising - Biehlparfumkunstwerke

25. Most Designer-like - JHAG

26. Most Refined - Amouage

27. Most Mellow - Byredo

28. Most Amateurish - Tauer/ Michael Storer

29. Most Tawdry - Aroma M

30. Most Bohemian - Sage Machado
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post #6 of 15
7/12/10 at 7:21am
There's some blurring, at least in my mind, where the niche cut-off is, but here goes

1. Most Innovative FREDERIC MALLE

2. Most Elegant FRAPIN

3. Most Natural-Smelling BORSARI

4. Most Under-Appreciated HOVÉ

5. Best-Kept Secret I COLONIALI

6. Most Over-lauded DAWN SPENCER HURWITZ

7. Most Reasonably-Priced BORSARI

8. Most Pompous MDCI

9. Most Chic HENRY DUNAY

10. Most Consistent L'ARTISAN

11. Least Consistent MONTALE

12. Most Overpriced SOLANGE

13. Most Outre DIPTYQUE

14. Most Staid L'ARTISAN

15. Most Predictable STELLA McCARTNEY

16. Most Banal

17. Most Derivative (I know the expected answer is Bond)

18. Most Watered-Down (weak, but not lacking quality) AYALA MORIEL

19. Most of an 'Acquired-Taste'?

20. Best Packaging SERGE LUTENS

21. Worst Packaging COMME DES GARCONS

22. Least Natural-Smelling ESCENTRIC MOLECULES

23. Trendiest BOND NO. 9

24. Most Promising JO MALONE

25. Most Designer-like

26. Most Refined

27. Most Mellow

28. Most Amateurish LES NEZ

29. Most Tawdry BOURBON FRENCH

30. Most Bohemian ABDES SALAAM ATTAR PROFUMO

That was really challenging and time-consuming. A good exercise, to be sure! The ones I couldn't answer really begged for non-niche responses.
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post #7 of 15
7/12/10 at 7:25pm
1. Most Innovative - ELDO

2. Most Elegant - Caron

3. Most Natural-Smelling - Yosh

4. Most Under-Appreciated - Abdul Samad Al Qurashi for the real oils

5. Best-Kept Secret - Honoré de Prés

6. Most Over-lauded - Current Guerlains

7. Most Reasonably-Priced - ELDO

8. Most Pompous - Xerjoff/Amouage/Clive Christian

9. Most Chic - CDG

10. Most Consistent - Bond No 9 (you might not like them , but they have what they do down to a science...)

11. Least Consistent - new Guerlains

12. Most Overpriced - Xerjoff/MDCI/anyone where you're paying a premium for the bottle

13. Most Outre - Malle

14. Most Staid - Houbigant

15. Most Predictable - Rosine

16. Most Banal - Ulrich Lang

17. Most Derivative - Bond, of course

18. Most Watered-Down - Hermes under Ellena

19. Most of an 'Acquired-Taste'? - Malle

20. Best Packaging - L'Artisan

21. Worst Packaging - Nicolai/Goutal

22. Least Natural-Smelling - CDG, intentionally

23. Trendiest - Tom Ford

24. Most Promising - Kurkdjian

25. Most Designer-like - Cereus

26. Most Refined - old Creeds/old Guerlains

27. Most Mellow - Yosh

28. Most Amateurish - Nasomatto (that's a compliment)

29. Most Tawdry - Tom Ford

30. Most Bohemian - Aftelier
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post #8 of 15
7/12/10 at 8:02pm
I am SOOOOO not qualified to reply to this thread, but still have a few comments:

As to the most pompous, I have to say I feel Xerjoff isn't, as they seem to be earnest, but they might go for most overpriced... I certainly cannot afford their perfumes although I would LOVE to acquire a few of them. The fact that they offer the ultra-luxe ones in "refill" bottles for less somewhat ameliorates the overprix/pomposity in my mind. (and that I have a bottle of one of their midprice efforts from a giveaway is a disclaimer here.)

I agree that Montales may be an acquired taste, but I fell in love with what seems to be by consensus the best of the Montales, Black Aoud... so if the rest of the line smelled as good... Zowee!

Storer as one of the most amateur? I don't know. It's possible, but I still have a whole set of his samples to go through but really like Monk. (maybe I am just lucky to pick the best?) I have the impression that Tauer is a good marketing effort, but can't comment as I have not smelled his scents, so his efforts may qualify.

I can agree with the current formulation Guerlains being most overlauded... their longevity is poor and they don't hold a candle to their previous formulations in most cases.

Other than that... this thread is quite interesting! Will be following it.
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post #9 of 15
7/12/10 at 9:13pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for your opinions, Actias; it's a pleasure. Please come back; share more, and make up any categories you want!

And to all, as it occurs to me I might address certain issues, to make this thread fun for everyone.

As for issues of dissonance...or God forbid indignation or wounded feelings ... I heartily implore that we 'agree to disagree' unanimously... and look at this thread as 'light entertainment'.

Moreover, so many castigations and/or endorsements are not only totally subjective in perfume-appreciation discourse but also relative to the 'beholder', in terms of 'intensity', seriousness, and meaning .
For example: I don't think of the notion of 'pomposity' as being either oppositional to integrity or quality! To me, it's about grandiosity and exclusive, opulent image-pushing.
I expect interpretations of concepts like 'amateurish' are doubly-loaded: I see that Rolagal has already qualified his candidate with a 'that's a compliment' remark.
And therein lies some food for thought as well.

Also. I hope n oone will be sheepish about voicing opinions on this thread, due to either concern over sounding too asperse or fear of backlash. I thought it would be fun to have the opportunity a bit more scathing. I was actually inspired by the number of men's-forum threads I read, in which the guys really rake houses and scents over the coals. It always amuses me so much!

I expect to disagree with lots I'll see -- In fact, I already DO! .

I personally feel I have lots to gain from contemplating others' totally-oppositional-to-mine impressions. Since perfume-enjoyment is so personal and associative, and because evaluative categories like those I created are so 'specific', I get to (hope to) observe the diverse sorts-of thinking others do about houses we commonly experience.
For example: Quarry's vote for "Jo Malone" (a house, whose offerings I don't ususally care for) as 'most promising' caused me to rethink their offerings' appeal.

I am also particularly interested in the notion of "houses" as entities in their own right just now. And aware of how much I think about certain houses in very condemning or glowing terms.

Moreover, anyone is 'qualified' as it's a simple opinion poll. (Lord knows, being a vintage-enthusiast, niche isn't even an arena I have dabbled in for very long, let alone with much fervor.) It's absolutely not an expertise-challenge. So, please everyone join in... with as many or as few catergories as you have thoughts on.
I for one, just love to see how others evaluate and 'judge' houses.


Thanks so much Paul, Quarry and Rolagal, btw. I lovesd reading your answers.

Cheers
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post #10 of 15
7/13/10 at 6:34am
This is a marvelous thread, Hillaire, because it made me think so hard and reexamine the first thoughts that popped to mind: Why do I view a house that way? Is it just one or two frags that gave me that impression? What really is niche?

I made a point of attacking the questions before reading your and PaulSC's answers. Then when I read them, I had "Oh, yeah, that's a good answer—wish I'd thought of that" moments.

Adding qualifier comments does help, which is why I added a parenthetical phrase about Ayala Moriel.

Then there's the perspective on what's niche. I think some of rogalal's answers sidestepped that issue, since Hermes and Guerlain don't strike me as niche, and I thought Tom Ford belonged under the designer banner.

It's interesting to discuss why we get the impressions we do. For instance, although I own only one Jo Malone, I respect that the company keeps producing diverse products, which tend to be well formulated and not get discontinued. Diversity and consistency is why I think JM's promising, but other houses might be more promising for breaking new barriers. Then I start to wonder, when does JM no longer deserve niche status?

Little brain tuckered out now.
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post #11 of 15
7/13/10 at 7:20am
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Fun! I'll need some thinking before I return to fill up those blanks I left...

1. Most Innovative: Parfumerie Generale, followed closely by Etat Libre d'Orange.

2. Most Elegant: Penhaligon's, followed closely by Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier.

3. Most Natural-Smelling: The Different Company, followed closely by Ormonde Jayne.

4. Most Under-Appreciated:

5. Best-Kept Secret:

6. Most Over-lauded: I feel a little vulnerable answering this =D

7. Most Reasonably-Priced: Etat Libre d'Orange (more so before their recent price increment), followed closely by Parfum d'Empire

8. Most Pompous:

9. Most Chic: CB I Hate Perfume, followed closely by Six Scents

10. Most Consistent: Serge Lutens

11. Least Consistent: Montale's Non-Aouds.

12. Most Overpriced: Guerlain exclusifs

13. Most Outre: Comme des Garcons, followed closely by Etat Libre d'Orange

14. Most Staid: I agree with Creed.

15. Most Predictable: Montale (Definitely, especially the Aoud scents variations - which I actually really enjoy and get much satisfaction from anyway. I can't say the same of a good bulk of the non-Aoud creations )

16. Most Banal:

17. Most Derivative:

18. Most Watered-Down: Hermessence

19. Most of an 'Acquired-Taste'?: Parfumerie Generale, followed closely by Etat Libre d'Orange
.
20. Best Packaging: Serge Lutens, but if it was just based on a single bottle - Lubin Idole

21. Worst Packaging: S-Perfume, Parfums de Nicolai, Farmacia SS. Annunziata dal 1561

22. Least Natural-Smelling: Comme des Garcon

23. Trendiest: Le Labo

24. Most Promising: By Kilian

25. Most Designer-like: Creed (They smell great, don't get me wrong)

26. Most Refined: Amouage

27. Most Mellow: (but highly enjoyable) L'Artisan Parfumeur

28. Most Amateurish:

29. Most Tawdry (looking): Micallef = G A U D Y - looking (but great-smelling)

30. Most Bohemian:
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post #12 of 15
7/13/10 at 9:38am
Like Quarry, I too had some "wish I thought of that" moments when I read the other lists. (And thanks to her mentioning Hové, I'm going to check out some samples...)

Anyway, interesting thread, and I'm glad a spirit of fun has prevailed rather than anyone taking offense.
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post #13 of 15
7/13/10 at 11:53am
A lot of companies pay good money for this -- in advertising/marketing it's called a control group. (Just regular folk offering biased opinions... :-)
Anyway -- Im inexperienced in at least half the niche brands, so please take that into account...

2. Most Elegant Frederic Malle
3. Most Natural-Smelling Antonias Flowers, Highland Lilac
4. Most Under-Appreciated -
5. Best-Kept Secret Barbara Bui (except on basenotes, of course!)
6. Most Over-lauded -
7. Most Reasonably-Priced Parfums de Nicolaï
8. Most Pompous Xerjoff
9. Most Chic Frederic Malle
10. Most Consistent - Ormonde Jayne
11. Least Consistent -
12. Most Overpriced Xerjoff
13. Most Outre Etat Libre d'Orange
14. Most Staid Penhaligons
15. Most Predictable Serge Lutens
16. Most Banal - Creative Universe beth terry, Creative Scentualization
17. Most Derivative BOND!!
18. Most Watered-Down Keiko Mecheri, Andre Putnam
19. Most of an 'Acquired-Taste' - Andy Tauer
20. Best Packaging L'Artisan Parfumeur, Ineke
21. Worst Packaging Hilde Soliani
22. Least Natural-Smelling Fresh
23. Trendiest Escentric Molecules
24. Most Promising DelRae, Juliette Has a Gun
25. Most Designer -
26. Most Refined -By Kilian, The Party
27. Most Mellow
28. Most Amateurish (see below!)
29. Most Tawdry Maître Parfumeur et Gantier (that giant rhinestone on the cap...)
30. Most Bohemian

Here are a few catagories of my own:
Most hip: i hate perfume
Gets most publicity in my city: Malle
Worst website: DSH, Michael Storer
 Collections most in need of editing: DSH and Neil Morris
Most confusing identity: artscent.com. Dont know them? You know, Parfums des Beaux Arts. But everyone calls them DSH.
Best website: Ineke
Best sample program: Ineke
Best edited collection: Ineke, Malle, Delrae
Worst web product photography Le Labo
Friendliest: Andy Tauer and Neil Morris
Most litigious: Bond No 9
Company thats fun to hate: Bond No 9
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post #14 of 15
7/13/10 at 12:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by C Rose View Post

Worst website: DSH

LOL. So true!
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post #15 of 15
7/13/10 at 12:43pm
Thread Starter 
Fun!More ctegories Thanks, C. Rose.

Most hip: i hate perfume
Gets most publicity in my city (Austin): L'Artisan/ Bond/Jo Malone
Worst website: Xerjoff, Michael Storer
Collections most in need of editing: Montale, Keiko Mecheri
Most confusing identity: Penhaligon's/ Malle (Don't shoot!)/Sonoma Scent Studio (Exactly what is the 'vibe'?)
Best website: Biehl/ Parfums Delrae
Best sample program: Ormonde Jayne/MDCI/Aftelier
Best edited collection: Acqua di Biella/ By Kilian
Worst web product photography: MDCI (Have you seen this site?)/Xerjoff
Friendliest: Sonoma Scent Studio
Most litigious: ?
Company that’s fun to hate: Creed
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