Other than what I read on the website I know nothing about the Imaginary Authors range of perfumes, fragrances which follow "a compelling storyline peppered with intriguing twists", but the idea behind them is quirky and interesting.
Each fragrance is, I suppose you'd say, a story in a bottle - one written by a purely imaginary author. Take, for instance, The Soft Lawn by one Claude LeCoq:
"Claude LeCoq published his first book, The Soft Lawn, in 1916 while still attending Princeton University. A controversial portrait of adolescent upper-class rebellion in New England, the coming-of-age story follows Hampton Perry, a charmingly snotty college tennis champ who, after years of having everything handed to him on a silver platter, finds himself handing it all back.
A little known fact about the author: Claude LeCoq wore only seersucker suits, known in that era as the wardrobe of the poor, and it was his gallant presence at high society dinners and prestigious sporting events that brought the fabric into popularity among the affluent in the ’20s."
As to the fragrance itself, it has notes of "Linden Blossom, Laurel & Ivy leaves, Vetiver, Oakmoss, Fresh Tennis Balls & Clay Court".
UK readers can find the range at Alyaka (there's more information there), and Roullier White.
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Next, a request for information.
Space NK sell a fragrance called Clean Reserve 'Rain'. Any perfume with that word in its name is a magnet for me (yes, I know ...) so I was keen to try it, but they don't sell samples and it's only available in their physical shops in London and Glasgow. I'll be in London briefly soon and may have the chance to pop into the shop, but meanwhile I wondered if anyone knows it, and if so, what's it like? How 'rainy' is it?! Clean's own listing for it is here.
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Still rain-related, I do like 'Behind the Rain' by Paul Schütze Perfume - very resinous and earthy/woody/petrichoral. This description captures its 'layered narrative'; for a much more detailed review look here.
Several reviews (for what they are worth) on line for the Clean Reserve 'Rain' perfume. I, of course, have absolutely no idea - sorry.
Posted by: Dark Puss | 03 December 2016 at 10:58 AM
This might be interesting http://www.cleanreserve.com/try-it-now/ but I am having trouble finding any information on a Glasgow store - so frustrating...!
Posted by: Freda | 03 December 2016 at 07:59 PM
Well, don't say your readers don't provide a good service ... because I was walking past SpaceNK this evening and remembered your question, so I popped in for a free spritz. (Doesn't take much encouragement to get me into a perfume shop!) I'm sniffing it on my wrist now and it's not what I'd call 'rainy' and it's certainly not English rain! I was expecting rain-drenched lilac leaves, maybe something clean and grassy but this is a bit tropical/fruity - more after the monsoon than April showers. I don't dislike it, but I don't think I'd buy it. Of course, it could smell entirely different on you! They had a tester but they didn't actually have any in stock - so don't trek out to the Richmond branch. However, there is a branch around the corner from Persephone Books - but I guess you know that!
Posted by: Mary | 03 December 2016 at 08:01 PM
Thanks for looking, DP.
Posted by: Cornflower | 04 December 2016 at 10:09 AM
Thank you, Freda. I think that must be the set the assistant in Space NK Oxford told me/raved about when I went in to inquire last month.
Posted by: Cornflower | 04 December 2016 at 10:13 AM
Mary, you are a star!
Thank you so much for that. Given what you say it may well be not quite what I was expecting or hoping for, so if I'm within easy reach of one of the bigger branches when I'm in London soon I'll go in and try.
Thank you again!
Posted by: Cornflower | 04 December 2016 at 10:19 AM
I remember wanting to like White Linen by Estee Lauder for its name alone. It didn't work for me but from its description does sound a bit rainy!
Posted by: Lucille | 04 December 2016 at 11:08 AM
The description is very appealing. I have a feeling I sampled it once and like you found it not all I'd hoped, though it gets 5 stars in Luca Turin's and Tanya Sanchez's "Perfumes: The A-Z Guide": '... having a maternal, protective aura, and reminds me of Thomas Pynchon describing the smell of breakfast floating over World War II-era London as "a spell against falling objects".'
Posted by: Cornflower | 04 December 2016 at 02:10 PM
But do you really want to smell of rationed bacon and powdered egg???
Posted by: Mary | 04 December 2016 at 06:55 PM