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Favorite Niche Brands

post #1 of 54
Thread Starter 
Mine so far would have to be Amouage, Annick Goutal and Keiko Mecheri, what are some of your favorites?

Also Ormonde Jayne, can't believe I forgot them.
post #2 of 54
Amouage
Frederic Malle
Serge Lutens
TF Private Blend
Montale
Bond no. 9
post #3 of 54
Serge Lutens
Diptyque
Lorenzo Villoresi
Santa Maria Novella
post #4 of 54
Amouage
MPG
L'Artisan
Les Nez
Humiecki & Graef
C & S
post #5 of 54
In this order:

1. Amouage
2. Tom Ford
3. Frederic Malle
4. MPG (would be higher if vintage are considered)
5. Serge Lutens/Montale
post #6 of 54
You have heard this before: Parfums Nicolaï.
post #7 of 54
Amouage
Montale
Serge Lutens
Kilian
Lorenzo Villoresi
post #8 of 54
Serge Lutens
Divine
Eau d'Italie
Editions De Parfums Frederic Malle
Santa Maria Novella
post #9 of 54
Serge Lutens
MPG
Parfums de Nicolai
Frederic Malle
DSH does some fabulous fragrances and not just the oils everyone seems to know.
Cadolle (so niche they only did one fragrance No9, which is now sadly discontinued)
post #10 of 54
Frederic Malle
L'Artisan
Jalaine
Parfums D'Orsay (Tilleul!)
post #11 of 54
So far;

Montale
Frederick Malle
By Kilian
Profumum
Yosh
post #12 of 54
Serge Lutens
Frederic Malle
L'Artisan
Comme des Garcons
Histoires des Parfums
Parfums de Nicolai
Tom Ford Private Blend
post #13 of 54
By "favorite" I mean that I find myself eager to try anything new that is made by:

Annick Goutal
L'Artisan
Pacifica
Diptyque
post #14 of 54
Serge Lutens
Annick Goutal
L'Artisan
MPG
Comme des Garcons
Lorenzo Villoresi
Parfums de Nicolai
Diptyque
post #15 of 54
Serge Lutens
Sonoma Scent Studio
Tauer Perfumes
L'Artisan
Parfumerie Generale
Lorenzo Villoresi
post #16 of 54
Serge Lutens
Annick Goutal
L'Artisan
post #17 of 54
Serge Lutens. It's the only niche line I've gotten into. Even though only a handful of SLs agree with me, I feel like I get what the line is about.
post #18 of 54
I'm always glad to try anything from By Kilian and Parfums de Nicolaï. Of the niche lines I've tried, these two really speak to me.
post #19 of 54
Annick Goutal
L'Artisan
Comme des Garçons
Dawn Spencer Hurwitz
The Different Company
Editions de parfums Frédéric Malle
Etat Libre d'Orange
Etro
Mazzolari
Ormonde Jayne
Serge Lutens
Vero Profumo
post #20 of 54
Mine are

1.Histoires de Parfums
2.Patricia de Nicolai
3. L'Artisan Parfumeur
4. Mazzolari (Milano)
5. Montale
6. Il Profumo
7. BOIS
8. Elternhaus
9. Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier
10.Keiko Mecheri

Would LUBIN count as niche? Just bought their wonderful "IDOLE" some days ago...
it's an old house, "re-born" some years ago, but not widely available. Just wondering...
post #21 of 54
Serge Lutens
Frederic Malle
Parfumerie Generale
Comme des Garcons
By Kilian

...in roughly that order.
post #22 of 54
There are so many niches houses that I've yet to explore, but of the ones I know I've been consistently impressed by -

Les Parfums de Rosine - Not surprising since I can't ever seem to get my fill of wonderful rose fragrances, but I've sniffed and love almost all of their sublime roses; Rose Kashmirie, Rose d'Eté, Diabolo Rose, Poussiere de Rose, Zephir de Rose and Rose d'Amour are current favorites.

Keiko Mecheri - I adore her fragrances, especially Loukhoum (plus Eau Poudrée and Parfum du Soir), Gourmandises, Attar de Roses, Damascena, White Petals, Ume, Cuir Cordoba, etc...

Lorenzo Villoresi - Teint de Neige alone puts him on my list, and Donna, Alamut, and Dilmun just reinforce the choice.

Ineke - my favorites are Chemical Bonding and Evening Edged in Gold, but I think everything she makes is well-crafted and beautiful (and very affordable!)

Frederic Malle - Lipstick Rose, Une Rose and Iris Poudre are my favorites so far, but I get the feeling that almost everything from this house could end up on my Wish-List.

Ava Luxe - I'm just scratching the surface here, but Pivoine Rose, No. 23 and Ouillet Blanc are the first to come to mind. This is another very affordable line, and Serena's variety and talent seems infinite - thank goodness she's back!
post #23 of 54
Ormonde Jayne - I love Ormonde Woman, Ormonde Man, Orris Noir, Tolu, Ta'if, Champaca, Sampaquita and Frangipani

Serge Lutens - Love most of his creations.

Etro - So far I have come to love: Dianthus, Shaal Nur, Heliotrope

The Different Company - Jasmin de Nuit is a top favourite, Bois d'Iris, Bergamote, Sel de Vetiver

Then there are those houses from which I only love one or two scents, but those are serious affairs : Keiko Mecheri - Ume, M. Micallef - Gaiac, Parfums de Nicolai - Vanille Tonka, Bois 1920 - Vento di Fiori and Vetiver Ambrato, I Profumi di Firenze - Ambra del Nepal, Le Labo - Labdanum 18, and Isabey for the fabulous Gardenia.
post #24 of 54
I've tried a lot of niche houses and have favorites from different ones. However, I keep coming back to the following:

The Different Company: Jasmin de Nuit is amazing! I also enjoy Sublime Balkiss in the summer, too.

Jayne Ormonde: Favorites are Ta'if, Champaca, and Woman (in this order).

L'Artisan and Keiko Mecheri have a lot of fun scents. I like Keiko Mecheri Ume, L'Artisan Saffron Rose, and others.
post #25 of 54
Ava Luxe - I keep coming back to Serena's fragrances and wear them more than almost any other single perfumer. Also, I love Andy Tauer's scents - as an incense fiend, I love his fragrances.
Miller Harris also strikes a chord with me.
And yes, Lutens, Malle, L'Artisan.
post #26 of 54
I need to add Etro and Frederic Malle to my list, can't believe I forgot them.
post #27 of 54
Amourage
post #28 of 54
Mine:
Frederic Malle
Ormonde Jayne
Histoires de Parfums
post #29 of 54
Gotta include Sonoma Scent Studio in addtion to:

Ava Luxe
Andy Tauer
Ormonde Jayne
HdP
By Kilian
Amouage
Serge Lutens
Parfums de Nicholai
post #30 of 54
I seem to be rounding up the usual suspects --

Malle (my very favorite house -- love Carnal Flower, Iris Poudre, Une Rose... & love the bottles)
Le Labo (based on just two so far: Iris 39 and Patchouli 24... & love the bottles)
Lutens (esp. Iris Silver Mist, Bois de Violette, Sa Majeste la Rose and Feminite du Bois)
L'Artisan (many, especially Nuit de Tuberose, Dzongka, Mimosa pour Moi)
The Different Co (esp. Bois d'Iris, Sel de Vetiver, Oriental Lounge)
DelRae (most)

... are my favorites!
post #31 of 54
1. The Armani Prive Collection
2. Bond No.9
3. Comme des Garcons
4. Creed
5. Acqua di Parma
6. Penhaligon's
7. Clive Christian
Gary
post #32 of 54
Penhaligons and Acqua di Parma are my favorites.
post #33 of 54
Ava Luxe is my favourite by a long way. I tend to have quite an emotional reaction to nearly all those I've tried - in a good way!!
post #34 of 54
Ava Luxe
Amouage
Serge Lutens
L'Artisan
Parfumerie Generale
Frederic Malle
post #35 of 54
Eau d'Italie
Lorenzo Villorezi
Santa Maria Novella
Lutens
Diptyque
Etro
post #36 of 54
Hi,

This is my very first post in Basenotes. I'm comparatively new to niche perfumery, but can already say I love:

- Parfum d'Empire
- Serge Lutens

I'm really looking forward to try some Amouage on my skin, as I've read so much about it. In time...
post #37 of 54
Thread Starter 
Hi Nuria G, welcome to Basenotes!
post #38 of 54
Oh, thanks a lot, Kiliwia. I hope this forum will be just the right place to learn more and more about perfume - the more you know, the more you realize all that's left to explore.
post #39 of 54
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuria G View Post

Oh, thanks a lot, Kiliwia. I hope this forum will be just the right place to learn more and more about perfume - the more you know, the more you realize all that's left to explore.

How true! Welcome to basenotes, Nuria!
post #40 of 54
It's only been just over 6 months since I discovered niche, Basenotes, and all things olfactorally-fabulous, but so far it's:

Serge Lutens (#1 by a mile!)
Tom Ford Private Blend
Frederic Malle
Parfum d'Empire
post #41 of 54
Hi,

I'll be in London in a couple of weeks and would love to take the chance and buy something hard to find. Any suggestions?
post #42 of 54
l recommend you visit Les Senteurs, who stock a lot of niche brands. You can check out their website at lessenteurs.com. Happy shopping & enjoy your trip!
post #43 of 54
Thread Starter 
I don't know about something that's hard to find, but the one place I'd make sure to go is the Ormonde Jayne perfume shop on Old Bond Street. You can read about it at their online site.
post #44 of 54
Creed
Tom Ford
Frederic Malle
L'Occitane
post #45 of 54
In this exact order, here are my top ten:

1. Parfums de Nicolai - I really cannot even imagine niche perfumery without this house. So many paradigmatic, impeccable accomplishments, and so many scents that suit me. My favorites from this house are: Vie de Chateau, Number One, New York, Cologne Sologne, and Jardin Secret, though I love almost every one.

2. Amouage - For me, this house epitomizes luxury and refinement in fragrance. Not every Amouage suits me, but I appreciate the plush redolence of the whole line. I also adore the unisex potential of the men's offerings. My favorites are: Dia Woman, Ubar, Memoir Woman, and Ciel Woman.

3. Histoires de Parfum - I was so surprised by this house, which I only recently dove into. Not only were an astonishing amount of their scents instant favorite and to my mind flawlessly executed, but I also found the line to be fascinatingly diverse. I love that they have been unpredictable while remaining so quality-conscious. This line feels like a harvesting of world class perfumes from a wide range of sources. My favorites are: Colette, Casanova, Marquis de Sade, and Vert Pivoine.

4. The Different Company- My favorites from this house are the original handful from Jean Claude Ellena, which are austere, ground-breaking beauties: Osmanthus, Bois d'Iris, Bergamote.

5. Divine - It seems Divine is 'all about' classical French scents, with an eye on refinement. The whole line is respectable, but the Divine original is the stand out. One of my favorite scents of all time.

6. MDCI Not a perfect line; some scents hardly stand up to designer cheapies. However, the few masterpieces of the bunch soar unrivaled, and are quite haunting. I love Invasion Barbare, Peche Cardinale, and Promesse de L'Aube

7. Lubin - A true original, and very affordable. The new offerings from this line are EXCITING.
In love with Itasca, Gin Fizz, and Bluff.

8. Parfumerie Generale - A really boldly modern and powerful line. Ranging from too-odd-to-enjoy to strangely-perfect. Luminaries from this line include Corps et Ames and Cuir d' Iris.

9. Fragonard - A classic. With many simple-yet-elegant offerings. And no riff raff. My favorites are Caresse and Rendez Vous.

10. Delrae- Floral fragrances that are wildly adventurous and stately at once! I love Debut, Coup de Foudre, and Amoureuse.
post #46 of 54
Frederic Malle- I love that perfumers are recognised and are given creative freedom.
Amouage- I can only echo Hillaire's thoughts here. I love Christopher Chong's vision and the creative freedom Amouage have to create a superior quality scent.
Serge Lutens - someone I admire.
post #47 of 54
I'm also with Hillaire on some of these - very eloquently put.

1. Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle.

I think the quality is outstanding across the whole line. I also applaud Frederic Malle for putting portraits of the creators above the counter and I think the slightly oddball approach (Lipstick Rose, Dans Tes Bras, L'Eau de L'Hiver) is cool. In an industry where there seem to be so many trends and 'ready made lines' popping up with all the usual suspects it's refreshing that you really don't know what you're going to get with Malle - just that it will be good.

2. Amouage

I like the direction Amouage is taking. My guess is by bringing in the Library Collection to explore specific genres or one off ideas the Man + Woman story can unfold in it's own good time without commercial pressure - I mean Epic & Memoir are hardly crowd pleasers - can you imagine what a focus group would make of these? Thank you, Christopher Chong. And then, of course, there are the Attars . . . .

3. Parfums de Nicolai

Understated quality - personal favourites are New York & Nicolai Pour Homme but of the others I have tried (30ml - genius) Odalisque, Sacrebleu and Maharadjah seem quite special. There is a sense of old school charm with PdN that appeals to me - unfussy, nothing to prove. I even like the bottles.

4. Histoires de Parfum

Also a recent discovery for me - 1725 is my favourite but I like several from the line and think Moulin Rouge is fantastic - it's a pink L'Heure Bleue with a touch of Lipstick Rose.

Honourable mentions: Serge Lutens, The Different Company, Annick Goutal & Mr. Dubrana at profumo.it
post #48 of 54
Thanks, Teardrop and Kiliwia, for your kind suggestions. I've been to Les Senteurs during a previous visit, but not to Ormonde Jane (yet). I'm looking forward to.
post #49 of 54
My favorites are:
Serge Lutens
By Kilian
L'Artisan
Parfums d'Empire
Lubin
I am very attracted to the house of Frapin, but I don't own any...yet
post #50 of 54
Amouage, Fragonard, Ava Luxe, L'Artisan
post #51 of 54
Etat Libre d'Orange
Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle
Tauer Perfumes
Montale
post #52 of 54
Parfums de Nicolai (Le Temps d'Une Fete must be the most delicious green floral ever. And not expensive. I must always have a bottle of this.)
The Party (The Garden Party Frangipane. And Oh, how I love The Party in Manhattan. One day she will be mine.)
DelRae (Debut, Bois de Paradis, Coup de Foudre)
By Kilian (Straight to Heaven, A Taste of Heaven, Love, Love and Tears)
Frederic Malle (Carnal Flower!!!!!)
Isabey (Gardenia and Fleur Nocturne)
Divine (I find almost all of them lovely. But DIVINE is my favorite.)
Amouage (Gold, Dia, and Jubilation)
post #53 of 54
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunnyfunny View Post

Serge Lutens. It's the only niche line I've gotten into. Even though only a handful of SLs agree with me, I feel like I get what the line is about.

Same here. I do like other niche lines, but the Lutens frags have more meaning for me. Odd, isn't it, how you 'get' a niche and not another? I wear several SL frags, and they never disappoint.
post #54 of 54
Carthusia
Lorenzo Villoresi
MF Kurkdjian
Etro
Profumum Roma
L'Artisan
Serge Lutens
By Kilian
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