Perfume Room

Veteran beauty exec turned fragrance founder Michelle Feeney is in the Perfume Room today. Michelle's illustrious background in the industry spans everything from launching Creme de la Mer, spearheading the MAC AIDS initiative as the VP Communications, and later becoming the CEO of St Tropez. Today, she is the Founder and CEO of Floral Street, a fragrance brand known for its sustainable packaging and ingredients. Michelle and I chat about everything from her glam PR life in NYC in the 90s, the process of collaborating with renowned Master Perfumer Jerome Epinette, Floral Street’s expansion into the home space, how her family's wine business informed the brand's creative direction, and of course, the most memorable piece of advice she ever received… from Liza Minelli. FRAGS MENTIONED: Au Pays de la Fleur D'Oranger Neroli Blanc Intense, ALOF Freckled and Beautiful, PdM Oriana, By Kilian Love Don't Be Shy, Memo Sintra, Nobile 1942 Perdizione, Floral Street: Sunflower Pop, Black Lotus, Iris Goddess, Ylang Ylang Espresso; Prescriptives Calyx, Floral Street: Wild Vanilla Orchid, Wonderland Peony; Dior poison, Revlon Charlie, Cacharel Anais Anais, L’Artisan Parfumeur, Floral Street: Chypre Sublime FOLLOW: @floralstreet_ DISCOUNT: www.floralstreet.com PERFUMEROOM20 for 20% off VOTE FOR TFF Awards: fragrance.org

Today’s episode is the best, and that’s my 100% objective take. We are joined by two of three co-founders behind Akro— multi-award-winning Master Perfumer Oliver Cresp, and his daughter/Co-Founder, Anaïs Cresp (the third founder who unfortunately could not join is Anaïs’ partner, Jack Miskelly). Akro is an incredible (and very new) niche brand that creates daring, polarizing, addicting fragrances inspired by everyday vices. We discuss the inspiration behind the line as well as the personal stories behind each fragrance, and Olivier explains the very nuanced difference between abstract versus figurative fragrances (he operates in the ‘figurative’). DW; we obviously discuss Angel and Olivier reveals how despite its mainstream popularity, it was actually one of the the first-ever *niche* fragrances. Olivier also defines his signature style within his diverse and prodigious portfolio. FRAGS MENTIONED: Akro: Ink, Dark, Awake, Haze; Mugler Angel, Akro: Malt, Smoke, Night, Malt, Ink; Guerlain Vetiver, D&G Light Blue, Penhaligon’s Juniper Sling, Dolce & Gabbana Dolce & Gabbana, Nina Ricci Nina, YSL Black Opium, YSL Mon Paris, Kenzo, Givenchy Gentleman FOLLOW AKRO: @akrofragrances @oliviercresp 10% OFF WITH CODE 'PERFUMEROOM10': https://twistedlily.com/collections/akro-1  GET TIX PERFUME ROOM LIVE: https://tinyurl.com/yckrcxs6

Today, world-renowned, award-winning Master Perfumer Alberto Morillas is in the Perfume Room! Alberto is the visionary (and nose) behind blockbuster fragrances you know and love like Estee Lauder Pleasures, Gucci Bloom, CK One, Versace Bright Crystal, Kenzo Flower, Lancome Miracle, Thierry Mugler Cologne, Marc Jacobs Daisy and Armani Acqua Di Gio… and there are hundreds more where that came from! In this episode, we talk mostly about his own personal pride and joy-- his candle and fine fragrance parfum d’excellence: Mizensir. We discuss how and where he sources inspiration, his creative process, what it’s like being in business with his family, his muses, the art and science of perfumery, and of course, Mizensir's newest launches: Vert Empire and Ambre Magique. FRAGS MENTIONED: Mizensir: Luxury, Vert Empire, Très Chère, Little Bianca, Ambre Magique; Kismet Olfactive: Tuberose Tantra, Nymphea, Wedding in Oaxaca, Nostalgia, Studio Scent; Mizensir Verveine Menthe, Mizensir White Rose, Cartier Must II Cartier, Rochas Byzance, Courrèges FH 77, Mizensir Ambre Magique, Estee Lauder pleasures, CK One, Marc Jacobs Daisy FOLLOW ALBERTO: @morillas.alberto FOLLOW MIZENSIR: @mizensirparfums 10% OFF MIZENSIR WITH CODE ’PERFUMEROOM10’ : https://twistedlily.com/collections/mizensir

Wrestling Champion, Hall of Famer, and Producer Gail Kim is in the Perfume Room today. This episode is a little less perfume-centric than others, but there are so many parallels in both industries and if you've ever wondered anything about the behind the scenes of wrestling, today's ep is for you. We chat about everything from cultivating a wrestling persona, developing a signature move, the smells of Gail's celeb-chef husband Robert Irvine, as well as the bad ['f' and 'o'] words that need to be retired for good. FRAGS MENTIONED: Davidoff Cool Water, Kenneth Cole Vintage Black, Bleu de Chanel, Ralph Lauren Romance, Burberry, Akro Ink, Akro Malt, Mizensir Ambre Magique, Mizensir Vert Empire FOLLOW GAIL: @gailkimitsme TWISTED LILY DISCOVERY KIT: twistedlily.com/pages/emma-vernon SHOP MY DISCOUNTS: linktr.ee/emmavern

My quest for high quality, great-smelling fragrance that costs less than a SweetGreen salad is never-ending, and today I chat with Greta Pagel—the Fragrance Director of the brand I think does it best: Good Chemistry. Greta leads all fragrance development and strategy at Good Chemistry and ILLUME (including perfume, personal care, and home fragrance). We discuss what happened to some of our favorite discontinued gems (looking at you Brainiac)/ if they’ll ever come back, secrets notes, how Greta got into fragrance development professionally, the process of creating your fave mass-market scents, the newness that is Coco Blush, and what we can look forward to within the next year! FRAGS MENTIONED: The Maker Wild, The Maker Fire, West Third Lost California, Good Chemistry Brainiac, Baccarat Rouge 540, Mugler Angel, Byredo Lil Fleur, Jovan Patchouli Oil, Guerlain Vetiver, Coty Wild Musk, YSL Paris, Bleu de Chanel, CB I Hate Perfume Walking in the Air, Good Chemistry Wild Child, Good Chemistry Magnolia Violet, Jovoy Remember Me, Milano Fragranze Basilica, Affinessence Paris Santal Basmati, Strangers Parfumerie Chokedee, Chabaud Lait et Chocolat, Good Chemistry: Tiger Lily, Copper Canyon, Pink Palm, Coco Blush, Sugar Berry; Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk, Pink Sugar Aquolina, EB Florals Fragile Violet, Good Chemistry Queen Bee FOLLOW: @lovegoodchemistry DISCOUNT: www.good-chemistry.com PERFUMEROOM15 for 15% off

NY’s most creative, cult-fave sister-duo Susan Alexandra and Janie Korn are in the Perfume Room today! Susan is the creator of the ever-whimsical, kitschy Susan Alexandra brand — beloved for her colorful beaded bags, jewelry, and homeware (and celeb following), and Janie is known for her often-customizable, highly-destructible sculptures [read: candles] which are the perfect mix of nostalgic, cheeky, and off-kilter (and are also sold at the magical Susan Alexandra brick & mortar on 33 Orchard). Curious what kind of childhood led to this unparalleled level of creativity? Want to know if their fragrance tastes match their art? SAME. And today we'll find out from the person who knows them best: each other. FRAGS MENTIONED: Marissa Zappas Imperia La Divina, Frederic Malle French Lover, The Goddess Line Lakshmi, Frederic Malle Iris Poudree, Gap Om, Elizabeth Arden Sunflower, Mugler Angel, Armani Code, YSL Nu, YSL Opium, Hilde Soliani Fraaagola Saalaaata, Hilde Soliani Hot Milk, Marissa Zappas Annabel’s Birthday Cake, Essential Faith, Le Labo Bergamote 22, L’Orchestre Rose Trombone, Mancera Roses Greedy, Montale Roses Musk, Montale Intense Cafe, Roja Elixir Pour Femme, Le Labo Musc 25, Marissa Zappas Paradise Edition, MFK BR 540, Le Labo The Noir 29, Le Labo Santal 33, Le Labo Bergamote 22, Swiss Army, Clinique Aromatics Elixir, B&BW Freesia FOLLOW: @susan_alexanda @janiekorn SHOP: susanalexandra.com || janiekorn.com SHOP MY DISCOUNTS: linktr.ee/emmavern FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod

Kimberly Waters, Founder and Creative Director of MUSE Experiences, is in the Perfume Room today! Recently featured in the NYTimes, MUSE Experiences is Harlem’s only niche fragrance retailer, as well as the only fragrance retailer in the city to operate out of an actual home (on the parlor floor of Kim’s townhouse), and thus, the only perfume shop (that we know of) where, as Kim mentions, you can take shoes off upon entering! The coziest. Kim and I chat about her fragrance background prior to founding MUSE, the inspiration behind the concept, what happens during an appointment, how she navigates working where she lives, and the brands and fragrances she’s most excited about right now. FRAGS MENTIONED: Chabaud Lait et Chocolat, Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille Banane, Affinessence Santal Basmati, Milano Fragranze Basilica, Hilde Soliani Hot Milk, Obvious Parfums Un Bois,  Atelier Vetiver Fatale, Prada Candy, Keiko Mecheri Loukhoum, Byredo Pulp, By Kilian, Nasomatto Narcotic Venus, Fleur des Fleurs Une Nuit Nomade, Maya Njie, Juicy Couture, Bridge and Blend, Photo/genics + Co No. 3 Sativa, Photo/genics + Co Pavot, Olfactive Studios Iris Shot, Maya Njie Nordic Cedar, Jamaica Bay Rum FOLLOW MUSE: museexperiences.com @muse_experiences SHOP MY DISCOUNTS: linktr.ee/emmavern FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod

Your Fave Fragrance Auntie, Funmi Monet, is in the Perfume Room! By day, Funmi is a licensed therapist and by night— a fragrance star. She's not just a fragrance content creator, she is a fragrance creator AND a content creator. In one short year on TikTok, Funmi has amassed well over 100K followers as well as launched her own fragrance, Exalté. UM, let that sink in for a sec. Funmi shares the fragrance she stopped a stranger for; the ones that get her stopped; her first, second and third date fragrance picks (hint: they are not the same); the inspiration for Exalté; and, PERFUMETOK — TAKE NOTES: Funmi talks everything from rates, to negotiating, to different ways to partner with brands, and ultimately, how to grow your brand and monetize your content. FRAGS MENTIONED: Kierin NY Pier NY, D.S. & Durga Bistro Waters, Maya Njie Tobak, Phlur Lost Cause, Oribe Cote D’Azur, Henry Rose Jake’s House, Henry Rose Smyth, Electimuss Mercurial Cashmere, Dior Oud Ispahan, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, MFK Baccarat Rouge, JHAG Not A Perfume, Ariana Grande Cloud, Carolina Herrera Good Girl, YSL Black Opium, Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds, Estee Lauder Pleasures, Britney Spears Fantasy, Marc Jacobs Daisy, Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy, Funmi Monet Exalte, Givenchy L'Interdit Rouge, Simone Andreoli Leisure in Paradise, PdM Delina Exclusif, Dior Hypnotic Poison, MFK Oud Satin Mood, Penhaligon’s Cairo, Amouroud Mysterious Rose, Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur, Tom Ford Lost Cherry, Dior Poison Girl, Dior Sauvage, Dior Sauvage Elixir, Givenchy L’Interdit, YSL Libre, YSL Libre Intense, Lancome LVEB, Lancome LVEB Intonement, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Ruby Orchid, Carolina Herrera Very Good Girl, Dior Dune, Kayali Vanilla 28, La Botica Soho, Dior Eden-roc FOLLOW FUNMI: @funmimonet on all platforms SHOP EXALTE: www.bellaaura.com SHOP MY DISCOUNTS: linktr.ee/emmavern FOLLOW PERFUME ROOM: @perfumeroompod

Fabrice Croisé, Founder of Scents of Wood (TFF Fragrance Extraordinaire 2021 winner) is in the Perfume Room today! This revolutionary fragrance brand not only pays homage to trees and nature in every scent, it also flips the script on fragrance formulation. Rather than making the alcohol an invisible ingredient (as is par for the course), in Scents of Wood fragrances, it’s the star of the show; each fragrance is composed of organic alcohol that has been aged (and thus scented) in wooden barrels. Fabrice and I chat about what made him go this route (and how he then did it!), where he sources inspiration (*cough cough, wink wink:* this podcast), the collaboration process with his illustrious team of perfumers, and how NFTs may just be the future of fragrance. FRAGS MENTIONED: Scents of Wood Plum in Cognac, Billie Eilish Eilish, Floral Street Wild Vanilla Orchid, DS & Durga Durga, Regime des Fleurs Batsheva, Dedcool Fragrance 02, Regime Des Fleurs Falling Trees, Aesop Hwyl, Regime des Fleurs Little Flower, Liis Rosestruck, Versace Bright Crystal, Regime des Fleurs Cacti, Elizabeth Arden Green Tea, Bulgari The Vert, Regime Des Fleurs Al-Dukhan, Regime Des Fleurs Willows, Parle Moi de Parfum Orris Tattoo 29, Lancôme POÊME, Lancôme O pour Homme, Guerlain Shalimar, Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan, Caron Pour Un Homme de Caron, Dior Fahrenheit FOLLOW SCENTS OF WOOD: scentsofwood.com @scentsofwood FRAGRANCE DAY REGISTRATION: fragrance.org SHOP MY AFFILIATE DISCOUNTS: linktr.ee/emmavern

If you think your perfume collection is unrivaled, meet your rival, Josie Plumey. Not only is Josie an expert in fragrance retail, buying, and distribution, but with over 570 fragrances (inclusive of many rare vintage frags and formulations), she just may have the best personal collection in all of New York! We discuss what it means to be in the perfume distribution biz—Josie is currently the Sales & Community Manager at Kintessence, an exclusive US niche distributor—and Josie gives us the low-down on the scents, including her most prized possessions, that we NEED to know. Plus a word on phrases like ‘clean’ and ‘old lady.’ TL;DR, — stop. FRAGS MENTIONED: Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle Mimosa, Goldfield & Banks Sunset Hour, Teo Cabanel Je Ne Sais Quoi, Commodity Moss Expressive, Aspen Apothecary Dusk, Scents of Wood Neroli in Acacia, Les Liquides Imaginaires Bête Humaine, Les Liquides Imaginaires Dom Rosa, Gucci L’Arte di Gucci, Lanvin Arpege, Miss Dior, BDK Crème de Cuir, YSL Paris, Frederic Malle Lipstick Rose, Guerlain Shalimar, Fragrance du Bois, Obvious, BDK Rouge Smoking, BDK Pas Ce Soir, Fragrance du Bois Minuit et Demi, Fragrance du Bois Santal Complet, Fragrance du Bois Oud Jaune, Royal Crown Isabella, Obvious Une Rose, Obvious Une Vanille, Parfums Frapin Laskarina, Parfums Frapin 1270, Les Liquides Imaginaires Phantasma, Kim Kardashian Pure Honey, Serge Lutens Santal Majuscule, Curve Men, Givenchy Hot Couture, Kenzo Flower, Chronotope Silueta, Serge Lutens Sarrasins FOLLOW JOSIE: @kintessence_nyc @joeybunnyfoofoo SMELL CLUB SIGN UP: https://rb.gy/5cz0y5 SHOP MY AFFILIATE DISCOUNTS: linktr.ee/emmavern