Apparently, I was wrong.
When I first confirmed the news about Tom Ford discontinuing several of the Private Blend perfumes, I mentioned I wasn't buying the statement about the changes being planned from the very beginning. I was wrong, as you can see in this WWD article from February 2nd, 2007. In the interview, Tom Ford himself says:
I'm not sure how I feel about the whole thing. The husband and I had a lively discussion about it. He finds the concept and Ford's statement refreshingly honest. I see it as more than a little cynical. Crazy perfume people tend to describe their favorite lines and scents in romantic terms of art and vision. We've read too many Serge Lutens interviews, I guess. But we mustn't forget that perfume is also a big business and both Tom Ford Beauty and the Private Blend were developed and backed by Lauder money. And Lauder, unlike Uncle Serge, is here to make serious buck.
Bottom line: If you're a Purple Patchouli fan, you might want to consider getting that big 8.3oz bottle, as I hear that one is a goner, too.
How do you feel about this issue? Please share your thoughts.
When I first confirmed the news about Tom Ford discontinuing several of the Private Blend perfumes, I mentioned I wasn't buying the statement about the changes being planned from the very beginning. I was wrong, as you can see in this WWD article from February 2nd, 2007. In the interview, Tom Ford himself says:
"The scents that are successful will stay; others, we'll edit out"Basically, the entire Private Blend has always been on a probation of sort. The good news is for Tobacco Vanilla fans- this one isn't very likely to disappear any time soon. The bad news is that we, as a focus group, have failed poor Moss Breches and didn't buy enough bottles to keep it alive.
I'm not sure how I feel about the whole thing. The husband and I had a lively discussion about it. He finds the concept and Ford's statement refreshingly honest. I see it as more than a little cynical. Crazy perfume people tend to describe their favorite lines and scents in romantic terms of art and vision. We've read too many Serge Lutens interviews, I guess. But we mustn't forget that perfume is also a big business and both Tom Ford Beauty and the Private Blend were developed and backed by Lauder money. And Lauder, unlike Uncle Serge, is here to make serious buck.
Bottom line: If you're a Purple Patchouli fan, you might want to consider getting that big 8.3oz bottle, as I hear that one is a goner, too.
How do you feel about this issue? Please share your thoughts.
It makes me sad that hidden beauties, which are not so much for the masses will disappear and big "over confident" popularities will be entitled to stay... That's how the world goes nowadays, unfortunately : if you're not that money-bringing everybody's darling then you have no chance...
ReplyDeleteBTW, after your review I had to run to "my" parfum boutique, sniffed Tobacco Vanilla and bought it right away (I got L'Artisan's Vanilla Havana last week, but I'm not so excited about it: it's like I can't wait to drink all the gorgeous rum from the top of my glas and then I'm left there with the melted ice cubes flavoured with sugar cane and some vanilla...).
It's a sensible commercial policy, but it's kind of soulless. For me, perfume should be about soul and passion, so it doesn't gel with my ideology at all. I'm Team Lutens and Pilkington, all the way. I couldn't imagine either of them auditioning their scents in this way.
ReplyDeleteI find it refreshing that TF was so forward about their approach, afterall it is the approach of many companies whether they admit to it or not. It doesn't make me any less sad for the beauties that will fade away, though
ReplyDeleteLike you, I'll lament Moss Breches; that was my first purchase.
ReplyDeleteI think the "trial basis" approach to perfume couldn't be more cynical! You think of all the work and vision that goes into making a new scent-- then, if after, what, 2-3 years it's not a blockbuster, you kill it? Imagine if recording artists said, "That song didn't sell-- take it off ITunes."
ReplyDeleteIt's acknowledging his products are dispensible and built to become obsolete. Maybe more traditional perfume houses cling to their work too long, but this is going too far in the other direction.
If you think a scent is good enough to launch, STAND BY IT.
Rita @leftcoastnose