For all the early birds ready to begin their Christmas shopping the Liberty Christmas Department is now open! So for all things festive, from Unicorns to Owls and Baubles of every shape and size head to the 4th Floor East Atrium. We will have the very best selection of Christmas decorations and gifts online and also reveal the theme for this Christmas instore in the next couple of weeks, watch this space!
The new At Liberty Magazine launched this week and we have an extract from the Interview Natasha Fraser did with Frederic Malle. Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle will be launching in store and online from October.
Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle is a luxury Parisian perfume house founded in 2000. Frederic Malle is the grandson of Serge Heftler-Louiche, who created the Dior perfume brand, and nephew of Louis Malle. He commissions cult perfumers, like the creators of Poison, Eau Sauvage and Alien, to create their dream scents free of constraints.
How did Editions de Parfums come about?
I’ve wanted to create a direct link between the best noses (perfumers) and the public for a long time. I’ve always believed that most brands are unnecessary go-betweens and that people are not being shown the most interesting part of the business: the noses. In 1998, I was a consultant for a major perfume and I realised that the market did not allow these artists-I include myself- to come up with truly creative and luxurious scents. So I came up with Editions de Parfums. Frustration gave me the drive to turn dream into reality.
What does Editions de Parfums offer that other perfume houses don’t?
We give total freedom to the perfumers because I believe that total freedom leads to the best fragrances. By that, I mean there aren’t financial limits, time limits or marketing nonsense; all enemies of the creative. I’m always on hand if the noses want to use me as a sparring partner. But they don’t have to. My role is to adapt to each of them. Finally, we put their name on the bottle. No one else does that. It’s a case of author, author!
What are the latest scents to join the line?
French Lover, which I was pretty involved with. I had just moved to New York and was feeling quite nostalgic for Saint Germain, so I asked Pierre Bourdon to capture the sexy but understated scent of the locals.
What do you wear?
Dominique Ropion’s Vetiver Extraordinaire defines me. But its impossible to wear anything when I work because I’m always evaluating new fragrances and can smell nothing else. In the summer, I love splashing myself with Cologne Bigarade during the day but prefer wearing French Lover at night-the joys of smelling like a playboy!
You come from an extraordinary family, very involved in the world of scent.
During my childhood, my mother, who was at Christian Dior Parfums, worked on Eau Sauvage with Edmond Roudnitska, the greatest nose of the time. She used to test-drive aftershave on my brother and me. Now, being totally vain, I never stopped wearing Eau Sauvage during my entire youth. Years later, we decided to do a contemporary version of the infamous cologne, something that smelt totally different but gave me the same pleasure:hence Cologne Bigarade.
You knew Christian Louboutin before anyone. Is it true that he buys Lys Mediterranee for all his girlfriends?
He’d better! Otherwise there’d be a major scene de menage.
What have you learnt along the way?
Either make the scents sexy or stay at home!
Menswear has had a make-over…Mens Accessories has switched with Mens Formal wear and Casual wear has had a revamp, Formal wear is now called the International Room. The Contemporary Collections Room is still the central point of the department poker table et al.
The new International Room has a quintessentially English Gentleman’s club feel in a modern environment. Murdock barber’s are the first point of discovery where classic services such as wet shaves are given a contemporary twist in chairs dropped in straight from Sweeney Todd. This room is anchored by key brands such as Lanvin, Paul Smith London, Jil Sander which new from AW has been received well already and Hart the capsule collection from bespoke tailor Nick Hart which is exclusive to Liberty for AW08. Liberty of London men’s AW collection has classic prints updated with arresting insects scattered over shirts, ties and handkerchiefs.
The Accessories Room has a completely focused and comprehensive offer making this a complete destination and a stand alone area. Bags, weekend luggage, ties, socks, umbrellas, pants and pyjamas from brands like New York Hat Company, Duchamp and Mulberry sit side by side so you are bound to find all the accompaniments to your winter wardrobe. This room offers women solutions to all their ‘what to buy?’ dilemmas for the men in their lives. The sumptuous lounge like fitting rooms make this the ideal setting for men to have the increasingly popular Liberty bespoke personal shopping service.
So for all your Fashion and Grooming needs the Lower Ground of Liberty is the place to head for, and ladies, Christmas is only a few months away..
