Luca Turin’s highly anticipate new book “Perfumes” is now available and it is a marvelous guide to the world of scents and perfumes. Luca Turin can be a little brutal… so be prepared. I somewhat sadistically enjoyed his analysis of Paris Hilton’s effort:
“(a) silly floral Competent but depressingly woody-fruity-floral aimed at the ditzes. –Luca Turin“
However, I have to confess he was a bit rough on some of my favorites… justifiable so in some cases… but I was pleased that he was guided by his own ‘sense’ of taste than by design, image or price. Although Luca was a bit tough on Infini (Caron) and Quelques Fleurs (Houbigant)… he was pleased to some level with some of my other favorites: Une Rose (Frederic Malle), Mitsouko (Guerlain), Chanel No.5 (Parfume), and Beyond Paradise (Estee Lauder).
Whether you feel you have a lot of knowledge of scents and perfumes or trying to develop your own taste… Luca Turin’s guide is a wonderful beginning.
Here are a few other sites on Luca Turin:
Chandler Burr discusses Luca Turin
Roger Freberg